The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-01-07
CHRISTMAS IN OLD STAFFORD

Christmas Is always a time of Joy in
stafford and OF home gatherings. Many
OF thoee who are seeking their fortunes
in other parts of the country cannot re-
Train from returning 20 enjoy the Christ
mas cheer which takes many forms.
especially the consumption OF all sorts OF
good things TO eat. the tables fairly
groan'ng under the loads which they
must bear Tor the many dinner parties
that are given In the county. One must
not confuse one of thess old timey dinners
with the sJifi. tiresome things " hich bear
that name in so-callsd fashionable So
ciety. Stafford dinner party il usually
served at one O'Clock In the dav. IL gen
orally begins with n big oyster st-w
followed by game. turkey. roast pig aud
all the vegetables kno wn to the agricu-
tural department, followed b. all the
good. old fashioned. toothsome sweets.
such as plum pudding. wine i-llv. mines
pie, custards. served with "A quantity OF
rich cream. that would make the famous
'DevOnShire cream" turn p ale with envy.
II there is any thing that stafford under
stands how To serve. il is the amber col
ored coffee that has made her famous
throughout the county, and which al
ways closes one of these famous dinners
In speaking OF these feasts il will b.
was coffee. The old time mint iulep. egg
nogg and apple jack are things of tn
past, Tor Stafford, always abreast of the
times, Is following the awakened trend
OF temperance sentiment that il being
| ielt all through the South But the flow
OF soul was at these dinner parties 50 IN
taneous and from :he heart and ther,
was no need of abnormal stimulation.
The beautiful weather and unusually
good roads for Stafford mads riding
and driving a pleasure aud 50 there was
a constant exchange of festivities I'm the
different neighborhoods OF the upper end
| Oi the county.
The first dinner party was given bv
the Misses Waller at Clifton Thirtx-
two guests were present and ali members
OF the immediate family. The centre OF
the iamily group was Mics Annie Waller.
the maiden aunt OF the family. who. in
spite of her 81 years, is still as vigorous
and full OF :he spirit of Christmas as the
youngest member of the family.
Following was dinner party given
by Mr.. Alfred Pyke at "RichlAnd The
house was tastefully decorated with
christmas greens that brought out with
good effect the handsome, colonial
rooms, OF noble proportions. that maEs
this house, the former home OF Gen. Fitz-
hugh Lee, one OF the most attractive In
the neighborhood.
Mr.. X. A. Moncure opened his interest
ing home, "Fleury's," for a dinner party
on Friday, at which time twenty a We
guests were seated at the table. followed
by dance at night for the young folks.
Mr.. Moncure has the hRudsomest collec-
ton OF old paintings OF bis ancestors to
be iound In the county, many of them by
famous artists Among them are life
sized portraits OF Col. and Mrs. Amber
his pAternal ancestors ,one OF the original
families at jamestown, whose interest
ing tomb was visited by thousands dur
ing the past summer The maternal
aide of the family " as also there in a hand
some lot OF portraits Of the Trents and
Warwicks. OF Richmond. At night the
young people OF the neighborhood enioy-
ed the dancing party. A large number
were present and the delightful refresh
| ments that We're served were much en-
| ioyed. As usual the festivities closed
with the old Virginia Reel.
very interesting company was given
at the Parish Hall on Tue.day night by
Rev. and Mrs. Burwell, in compliment OF
their daughter, Mise Lucy Burwell. who
Is attending the V. +. l., ia Staunton,
and is at home for the holidays.
The Junior Order of Mechanics. which
tative organization at Garrisonville
gave an oyster supper and dance in their
handsome new hall, which has recently
been built.
An unusual feature OF the various COM
panies gathered was the presence of so
many eligible widowers; widows are TO
be found on every hand, but Stafford
wins the banner at this time for widow
ers.
Among the guests visiting the upper
part OF the county are Messrs John Ma
son and Bankhead Lee, Mr.. Henry Wood
Moncure and daughters. OF Washington:
Mr.. Pierson. Of Richmond, who is the
guest OF Rev. Mr.. Burwell; Mrs. Barrett
and Miss Kitty Barrett, of Alexandria:
Mrs. VIM. Gerow, of Lynchburg; Mr..
and Mrs. George Meredith, OF Richmond,
and Mr.. Jacquelin Meredith; Miss Fan
ME Rives, OF Washington, end Misses
Claudia and Lizzie Stribling, OF Fauquier.
There is nothing which keeps alive the
old traditions of past generations as
these annual gatherings, full of love and
goou cheer for all. They represent the
very beet 10 our social system, and should
be encouraged by all who believe in keep
ing alive the spirit OF the old South
A Virginian