The citizen., 1911-12-22

One may 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 a 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 aquilne, his mouth broad, his
chin square his cheek bones high. and his COM
nlexion rather forid. He is dressed in a suit OF
costly black velvet with knee breeches blacK
silk stockings and silver buckles on his shoes Al
his wrists are fine lace ruffles, and his hair is
drawn back and done up behind in queue.
Gentlemen" he says. bowlng risht ana iel''
"I drink to my guests!
The natural response, at the instance OF the
most distinguished guest present, is health
drunk to Lady Washington. This Is followed
nerhans by five or ten minutes OF general conVer-
sation after which Mrs. Washington gives the
signal by pushing back her chair, and the women
rise to take their departure. The Generai hlmseil
walks to the door, throwing 1t wide open' ana
zach of the ladies courtesies deeply as she goes
ont In response to the bows of the host and the
other men. , s.,
If when the time comes to rejoin the laoles'
two or three of the guests find themselves hardly
in n condition to do so. they are handed over 10
the care of the African major domo, VINO sees
that they are put to bed Such things are pounu
to happen occasionally. and it is not likely tnat
any of the women will nave tne Dau tact to "en
what has become of them.
There s a good long evening, which, appropri-
ateIv to Christmas is given up to a romp. Such
old.fashioned games as blind mans buff and hunt
the Sinner furnish incidental opportunities tor
much Incidental Irritation and loyemaking Per-
hans there may even be a kissing game or two
and a spray OF mistletoe fastened over doorway
gives excuse for some osculation and great deal
Of merriment 1t is all very delightful Christ
mas gifts are exhibited, and Nellie Custis. 1t is
Iily nlave hit on her harpSicnOrQ.
negro fiddler, one of the slaves on the estate,
in nictureso,le 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 taples,
shutting and dealing. >The host himself plays
for small stakes only gambling for money to
considerable amounts being one of the vices he
most abhors AS for Mrs. Washington, she talks
m q neighbor and knits When not otherwise
busilv occupied she always has knitting in her
hands having acquired the habit in camp during
the Revolution. when she made stockings for des-
titute soldiers.
Fortunately, the frame or setting, as it might
he called of the Christmas festivities here de-
scrihed 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 it. But in the hands OF
the Mount Vernon Association the historic man
sion and its immediate surroundings are kept in
sucb excellent repair that Mount Vernon today
is practically as it was more than century ago,
when George and his wife, Martha kept open
house and offered generous hospitality, not only
at Christmastide but at all other seasons of the
year.