Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1911-12-28

One NAV view the scene in imagination. as, the
moment having arrived for an important act Of
ceremony Washington rises TO his feet from his
place at the table, holding glass of Madeira in
his hand He is very tall man, two inches
above six feet in height and large of frame His
nose Is slightly aquiline his mouth broad. his
chin square his cheek bones HIGH and his COM
plexon rather horid He is dressed in SUIT OF
costly black velvet, with knee breeches, black
silk stockings. and silver buckles on his shoes Al
his wrists are fine lace rufles and his halr Is
drawn back and done up behind in queue.
gentlemen" he says. bowling right and lett
81 drink to my guests!
The natural response at the instance OF the
most DISTINGUISHED guest present, is healtn
drunk to Lady Washington. This is followed
sorio,s nv five or ten minutes of general CONVEX
eation after which Mrs. Washington gives the
signal by pushing back her chair and the women
ree To take their departure. The General hlusell
walks 70 the door. throwing 1t wide OPEN anu
each of the ladies courtesies deeply as she goes
ont in response to the bows of the host and the
other men -, IL,
II when the time comes to rejoin the ladies.
two or three OF the guests find themselves hardly
IN a condition to do so, they are handed over 10
the care of the African major domo, who sees
that they are put to bed Such things are pound
N hammer occasionally and it is not likely that
anv ~ the women will have the bad tact to ask
what has become of them
There is a good long evening, which, appropr-
atey to Christmas is given up to romp. oucn
oldfashioned games blind mans bun and hunt
the simmer furnish incidental opportunities Tor
much incidental Irritation and love-makips. Per-
hans there may even be kissing game or two;
and spray of mstletoe fastened over doorway
gives excuse for some OSCILLATION and great deal
of merriment II is all very delightful Christ
mas gifts are exhibited, and Nellie GUSTS. 1t Is
likely plays bit on her harpsicnord
A negro fiddler one of the slaves on the estate,
I'm nicturesuue plantation garb, starts some merry
music while the young people choose partners
for the dance But the older ladies and gentle
men prefer cards. and sit about little tables.
shutting and dealing The host himself plays,
for small stakes only, gambling for money to
considerable amounts being one or the vices he
most abhors AS for Mrs. Washington, she talks
to n neghbor and knits When not otherwise
busily occupied she always has knitting In her
hands having acquired the habit in camp during
the Revolution, when she made stockings Tor des
titute soldiers
Fortunately the frame, or setting, as II might
be- called OF the Christmas festivities here de-
scribed in such crude outline is still preserved
intact thanks to the efforts OF few patriotic
women who have made this their loving task
The United States government has never paid
one cent to keep the home OF Washington from
destruction Many years ago congress refused to
give the money to buy II. But In the hands OF
the Mount Vernon Association the historic man
sion and its immediate surroundings are kept In
such excellent repair that Mount Vernon today
is practically as II was more than century ago
when George and his wife, Martha, kept open
house and offered a generous hospitality. not only
at Christmastide but at all other seasons of the
year.