Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1911-12-22

ono NAV view the scene III imagination, as, the
moment having arrived for an important act OF
ceremony. Washington rises to his feet from his
Mace at the table holding glass of Madeira In
his hand He is a very tall man, two inches
above six feet in height and large OF frame HIS
nose is slightly aqulne, his mouth Droao MS
chin SQUARE his cheek bones high, and MS com,
nlexion rather ford. He is dressed IN a SUIT Oh
costly black velvet with knee Dreeenes Di". ~
silk stockings and silver buckles on his shoes. Al
his wrists are fine lace rufdes, and his halr -
drawn back and done up behind In queue a.,
Gentlemen" he says bowling right ana iefs'
ST drink to my guests!'
NJ natural response at the instance OK the
MOST distinguished guest present, is neaitn
anL To LADY Washington. This is foHo"eo'
norbans nv five or ten minutes of general convei-
sation after which Mrs Washington gives ING
signal by pushing back her chair, ana the Wo"en
,5so To take their departure. The General hlmseiI
no11s To the door, throwing it wide open' ana
80 +ba ladies' courtesies deeply she goes
go - rosnonse to the bows of the host and the
other men ,. 49, ,.d;es
two or three of the guests find themselves haroly
in a condition to do SO, they are handed over "
+be care of the African major domo, who sees
th+ +bav are put to bed Such things are bound
n happen occasionally, and it is not hKely tnal
Nv If tho women will have the bad tact to ASK
what has become OF them
Tbera 10 good long evening, which, approprl-
ateIy To Christmas is given up 10 ioAp SUN
old-fashioned games blind mans bun ana NUM-
tba sinner furnish incidental opportunities TOT
much incidental Irritation and love-maKlng FER
hans there may even be a kissing game or TWO;
and spray Of mistletoe fastened over a doorway
pives excuse for some oscillation and great deal
Of merriment 1t is all very delightful Christ
mas gifts are exhibited, and Nellie Custls IL IS
likely plays bit on her harpslcnord
A negro fiddler. one of the slaves on the estate.
in picturesque plantation garb starts some merry
music while the young people choose partners
for the dance But the older ladies and gentle
shutting and dealing. The host himself plays,
for small stakes only, gambling for money to
considerable amounts being of the vices ne
most abhors AS for Mrs. Washington she talks
70 neiehbor and knits When not otherwise
busily occupied she always has knitting In ner
hands having acquired the habit in camp during
tho Revolution when she made stockings for des-
titute soldiers
Fortunately the frame or setting as 1t might
he called Of the Christmas festivities here de-
scribed in such crude outline is still preserved
intact thanks to the efforts or Few patr1otc
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
such excellent repair that Mount Vernon today
is practically as it 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.