Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1911-12-29

One may view the scene In Imagination q, the
moment having arrived for IN important act OF
ceremony. Washington rises to bic feet from his
place at the table. holding glass Of Madeira in
his hand. He 10 q very tall man, two inches
above six feet in height and large Of frame His
nose II slightly aQuiline. his mouth broad. his
chin square, his cheek bones high. and his COM
plexion rather horid. He Il dressed in suit Of
costly black velvet with knee breeches. black
silk stockings, and silver buckles on his shoes. AZ
his wrists are nne lace rufnes, and his hair -
drawn back and done up behind in queue.
Gentlemen" he says. bowling right and left.
Il drink to my guests!"
The natural response. 1t the instance Of the
most distinguished guest present, - neaitn
drunk to Lady Washington This II followed
nerhaps by Ave or ten minutes q general CONVEX
cation. after which Mrs. Warrington gives the
signal by pushing back her chair, and the women
rise to take their departure. The General himself
walks to the door. throwing It wide open. ana
Zach Of the ladies courtesies deeply ~ she goes
ont in response to the bows Of the host and the
other men.
two or three of the guests dnd themselves hardly
in a condition to do 30, they are handed over to
the care of the African major domo, who sees
that they are put 10 bed. Such things are bound
to happen occasionally, and It IL not likely that
any Of the women w1n have the bad tact to AK
what has become Of them.
There is good long evening which. appropri.
ately to ChristmaA II given up to q romp Sucn
old-fashioned games a. blind mans bun and hunt
the slipper furnish Incidental opportunities for
much incidental Irritation and love-making. Per-
haps there may even be kissing game or two;
and a spray Of -mistletoe fastened over a doorway
gives excuse for some OSCILLATION and great deal
of merriment II - all very delightful Christ
mas gifts are exhibited. and Nellie Gusts. 1t 70
likely, plays bit on her harpsicnord.
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 donce. But the older ladies and gentle
men r~e'cr cards, and sit about little tables.
stunning and dealing. The host himself plays,
for small stakes only. gambling for money -
considerable amounts being Of the vices he
most abhors. A. for Mrs. Washington. she talks
to q neighbor and knits. When not otherwise
busily occupied she always has knitting In hss
hands, having acquired the habit in camp during
the Revolution when she made stockings Tor des-
titute soldiers
Fortunately, the frame. or setting. a. It might
be called, Of tAe Christmas festivities hers d.
scribed in sucA crude outline ID stu preserved
intact, thanks % 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 ct
the Mount Vernon Association the historic man
sion and it's immediate surroundings are kept IN
such excellent repair that Mount Vernon today |
10 practically ~ It was more than century aga |
whom George and hi wife, Martha kept open |
house and offered generous hospitality, not only
at Christmastide but 1t all other seasons u the
year.