The leader., 1905-10-18
Evening at Mrs. MeIviIIe's.

1nere was an IneApIlCaDle CuaTIn
about the evening (referred to in
the above) last Friday at the sub
urban home of Mr.. and Mrs. VIM.
Melville. 1t was inaugurated as
a benefit for the Episcopal church
by Mrs. Melville, one of it's most
devoted adherents, who came
years ago to this country from
among the blue bells of Scotland,
and who has lived in this city dur
ing the last 16 years. Her staunch
faith and loyalty to the cause she
espoused in early youth-her sup
port in old age-awakened in the
hearts of her Brookhaven friends
in this last supreme effort of hers,
a responsive chord; and nearly
300 people followed the glow of
Mr.. MeIville's great bonfire on
the auspicious night of last week,
and we're entertained in the most
hospitable manner at his home.
It was delight to meet the cul-
tured rector, Rev. John Beean,
and his beautiful young English
wife, who did so much to make
the evening the success it was.
The initial number of the pro-
gram was an impromptu reading
by the hostess herself, after the
most urgent insistence of friends.
Be it remembered that this re-
markabIy bright and active wom-
an is u years of age; but with a
countenance beaming with the
faith and implicit trust of the
little ones" of God. Her read
ing with its quaint Scottish ac-
cent, was received with vociferous
applause. This unique number
was followed by a solo from Mrs.
M. T. Flood, who was accompan-
led on the organ by Mrs. F. Fl.
Fellows. After an encore from
the fair singer, Miss Elizabeth
Purser was introduced by the
herald of the evening, Mr.. F. O.
Conant, who SO gracefully did the
honors. Miss Purser spoke under
some difficulties Of environment,
unavoidable under the circum.
stances, but when we say she held
the wrapt attention of the lawn
full and the gallery full of people
we pay her as did her audience 8
most sincere and merited compli-
ment. Miss Purser who is sc
popular as reader in North Mis-
sissippi and Tennessee, knows just
what will please and adapts bel
selections to the demands of the
occasion. Her Irish dialect verse
and her Just Supposin' 2 in re
sponse to encore, we're decidedly
''the thing'' for the young, anc
for the old grown youthful, like
Mrs. Melville, on this rare anc
radiant evening.
An impromptu trio compos
ed of Mr.. Conant, Mrs. Flood and
Mrs. Redding varied the program
with sweet renderings of old-timt
songs, when presently, Mrs
Melville's quilt, in vivid white
and red, gracefully drapec
over Mr.. TulI's willing shoul
lders hove in sight. Thil
Iquilt was covered over with auto
graphs and was voted to the mos
popular lady on the grounds
which every one assented to be
the charming hostess of the eve
ming. But she could not find it ii
| her generous heart to accept, 81
lshe proposed an auction, and thl
hammer went down on the bid o
Mr.. r. f. Becker. This gentle
man, magnanimous on every coca
sion, Immediately presented agail
the much-oontested piece of handi
work to Mrs. Melville, who wa!
so overwhelmed by the repeated
Iovations of the evening that sh'
heIplessly permitted the presenta
tion and accepted as women vii
under protest. =
1 We have, doubtless, failed Il
mention many delights Of the eve
ming; but we must close with thl
4 statement, that cannot be gainsay
ed or repudiated, that the pleasure
lof each guest was wholly due to thl
/ beautiful spirit that seemed K
rule and reign ID that lovely homl
and that found exempIlication, i
not pers0nifcation, IN Grandml
land Grandpa Melville. Z
Mare than G1fl(l sVas raalizpd ans