Marble Hill press., 1911-12-21
.IIIDY K7f1E2T

one may view the scene In Imagination As IN.
moment having arrived for an lupo-,opt on, :,
ceremony, Washington rises 10 bis feet from his
place az the table holding a glass OF Madeira in
his hand. lie is very tall man two inches
above six feet 10 eight and large OF frame ms
nose is slightly aquiliue bis mouth broad bIs
chin square his cheek bones high and his com.
plexon rather aorid He is dressed In a suit Of
costly blink velvet with knee breeches black
silk stockings and silver buckles on his shoes Al
his wrists are hne lace rliHes and his hair is
drawn back and done up behind in queue
Gentlemen" De says, bowilg right and left
I drink to my guests"
The natural response nj the instance Of the
most distinguished guest present is A health
drunk 10 Lady Washington This is followed
perhaps by i've or ten minutes OF general couver-
sation. after which Mrs Washington gives the
signal by pushing back her chair and the women
rise TO take their departure The General himself
walks the door. throwing It wide open and
each OF the ladies' courtesies deeply as she goes
out, In response 10 the bows OF the host and the
other men
II. when the time comes to relon the ladies' /
two or three OF the guests find themselves hardly
in condition 10 do so they are handed over "a
the care of the African major domo who sees
that they are put to bed Such things are bound set
10 happen occasionally and II is not likely that :,
any Of the women will have the bad tact TO ask W
what has become OF them. q
There Is a good long evening which appropri.
Rtely to Christmas is given up 10 a romp Such a,
oidfashioned games as blind mans bun and hunt m
the slipper furnish incidental opportunities for
mucN Incidental Irritation and loye-making Per.
haps there may even be n kissing game or two.
and spray Of mstlet0e fastened over doorway gr
gives excuse for some osculation and great deal
OF merrment II is all very delightful Christ Ia,
mas gifts are exhibited md Nellie Custis n ia ~,
hke.y n'ars a bit on her harpscHord
negro fiddler one Of the slaves on the estate
% picturesque plantation sarb starts some merry
music wAA the young people choose partners :.
q" the dance But the older ladies' and gentle. |
len refer cards and sit about little tables "
h9l"nE and dealing The host himself ~lsvs =,
or sma'' stakes only gambling for money to 49, 49,
considerable amounts being one of the vices he q"'
1est ahhors As for Mrs. Washington she talks
"a nelghbor and knits When not otherwise
usl'y occupied she always has knitting in her
8Eds having acquired the habit in camn during '"S,
'e Revolution, when she made stockings for dos
'ute sodiers app
Fortunately the frame or setting a. # p,frA, over
called, OF the Christmas festivities bere do
rieed in snch crude outline is still preserved Al
tact thanks to the efforts Cf few natrtntfc thih
,mcn who have made this th.fr ,oi ~, cula
he United States government has ,,,E. a', ceite
e cent to keep the home Of Washington FROM, ----
sFuct'on MANY years ago congress refused to
'e me money to buy i But in the hands o,
Mount Vernon Association the bistoric ,,o
n ana Its immediate surroundings are kent :,
n excellent repair that Mount Vernon today
practically as It was more than ren,uyx CO., /
en- George and his wife Martha kent onar /
lse and offered generous hospitality NOT oplv l
Chrfstmastide but at all other seasons of ~ | |