Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-12-22

Opem 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 glass of Madeira in
his hand. He is a very tall man, two inches
above six feet in height and large OF frame. ms
nose is slightly aquiline, his mouth broad MS
chin square his cheek bones high, and his com
plexon rather forid He is dressed in SUIT OIL
costly black velvet. with knee breeches. oiach
silk stockings, and silver buckles on MS SHOES a.
his wrists are fine lace ruiies. and his mar is
drawn back and done up behind in queue
gentlemen" he says. bowling right and iei''
81 drink to my guests! 49,,
The natural response at the instance OF tne
most distinguished guest present, is heaitn
ar,nL 10 Lady Washington. This is toho"eu
nerhaps by Ave ten minutes OF general con'ei
sation after which Mrs. Washington gives 'he
signal by pushing back her chair. and the women
rfse to take their departure. The General hiisei,
.oIrs IN the door throwing it wide open. anu
each of the ladies' courtesies deeply as she soes
ont in response to the bows OF the most anu 'Ae
other men Al, Ladies'
,,o 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. VINO seer
~, ,hav are nut to bed. Such things are bound
D., hannen occasionally and 1t is not likely that
any Of the women will have the bad tact TO ASK
what has become of them
There ia n good long evening, which. appropr-
ately to Christmas. is given up 10 ro"p. SUI I,
old-fashioned games blind mans bum and huh'
tho simmer furnish incidental opportunities lor
much Incidental Irritation and love-makng fer-
hans there may even be a kissing game or two'
and a spray Of mistletoe fastened over doorway
gives excuse for some oscillation and great deal
~ merriment II is all very delightful Christ
mas gifts are exhibited. and Nellie Gusts. II Is
likely plays bit her harpsicford
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
men prefer cards, and sit about little tables
shutting and dealing. The host himself plays
for small stakes only. gambling for money 10
considerable amounts being one OF the vices ne
most aphors AS for Mrs Washington. she talks
to a neighbor and knts. 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 for des-
titute soldiers.
Fortunately the frame. or setting. as II might
he 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 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
liz practically as 1t more than a 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.