The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1911-12-22

Ono NAV view the scene in imagination, as inc
moment having arrived for an important act OF
ceremony Washington rises to his feet from MS
Mace at the table, holding glass OF Maueira III
his hand He is very tall man, TWO 'hcn rs
1--we civ feet in height and large of frame his
49, 10 sIiobtlv aouiline, his mouth broad, his
h,r square his cheek bones high, and MS com.
pIovion rather horid. He is dressed IN sun VI
nostlv black velvet, with knee breecnes oiach
Ill stockings and silver buckles on his shoes' Az
his wrists are fine lace rutfies' ana MS n'ii "
drawn back and done up behind In queue &c,
Gentlemen" he says po"lns l'sN' "'-1
81 drink to my guests! ~, ,,otonoe If the
1.t distirguished guest present is neaiUn
III, to Lady Washington THIS Is ioilo"eu n
rbone nv five or ten minutes OF genera 'oH
rotion after which Mrs washington gives ~
ianal nv pushing back her chair ana 'he woln
r;so IN take their departure. the General niiiSei
walks TO the door, throwing 1t wiue 0P pto ooes
ooob If the ladies courtesies deeply as sue So
each u anoree 70 the bows of the host and the
other men, .. roioir tho ladies'
49,. r +bree of the guests find themselves haruy
tr a condition to do so, they are hanueu oVeI ~
tbo care of the African major domo WIZ So
that they are put to bed. Such thinss are 49, 49,
IN bannen occasionally, and it Is not nhely 'n%
any of the women Will nave 'io W
what has become Of them
n,,u {, . good long evening, which, appropr+
., 20 christmas is given up to a romp. oucn
ia ashioned games as blind mans DUN ana NUM-
a. slinner furnish incidental opportunities lo
r,,ob incidental Irritation and love-maKng Fel
hons there NAV even be a kissing game OF t"o'
rd enrav of mistletoe fastened over DOORWAY
to ovcuee for some OSCILLATION and a great zeal
% rrirnont II is all very delightful CHRIST
or gifta are exhibited and Nellie Cusus' II IL
,y,oIy nlays a bit on her harpslcnord
negro fiddler one of the slaves on the estate
IN picturesque plantation garb, starts solne neiy
music. while the young people choose par ne .
for the dance But the older LADIES anu een,o
NON orefer cards. and sit about little tables
shutting and dealing. The most hnhsel pl"' -
for small stakes only, gambling for money 10
oonsiderahle amounts being one Of the vices ne
rnoet obhors AS for Mrs Washington, she talks
70 naighbor and knts. When not otherwise
busilv occupied she always has knitting III nei
hands having acquired the habit In camp uurins
the Revolution, when she MADE stockihss ioi Uo'
ttute soldiers. :. ;h.
Fortunately the frame or setting as II migut
ba called of the Christmas festivities mere ue-
oribod in such crude outline is still preserved
intact thanks to the efforts oil lew palrlotc
women who have made this their loving 'ash.
The United States government mas never pau
one cent to keep the home OF washington ironi
destruction Many years ago congress refused 10
atve the money to buy It, But in the hands oil
g. Mount vernon Association the historic man
sion and its immediate surroundings are Kept III
auch excellent repair that Mount Vernon To-Day
"a practically as it was more than century ago
when George and his wife, Martha, Kept open
bouse and offered generous hospitality, not only
at Christmastide but at all other seasons Vi Tie
year.