The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-12-21

Ono NAV view the scene in imagination, as tho
moment having arrived for an important act OF
ceremony Washington rises to his feet from his
place at the table, holding a glass of Madeira in
his hand He is very tall man, two inches
above six feet in height and large of frame His
nose is slightly aquiline, his mouth broad, his
chin SQUARE his cheek bones high, and his COM
plexion rather forid. He is dressed In suit OF
costly black velvet, with knee breeches, black
silk stockings and silver buckles his shoes. AT
his wrists are fine lace rufles, and his nalr ls
drawn back and done up behind in queue.
Gentlemen" he says, ooWlng rlshI anu ie'''
"I drink to my guests!"
Tho natural response, at the instance OF the
most distinguished guest present, is nealt,l
drink to Lady Washington This Is tohoWeo'
perbaps by five or ten minutes of general opnVer-
sation. after which Mrs. Washington gives Ihe
signal by pushing back her chair, and the women
riso tn take their departure. The General himselt
walks TO the door, throwing 1t wide open' ana
each of the ladies courtesies deeply as she goes
out, in response to the bows of the host and the
other men, ,,-
If when the time comes to rejoin the ladies'
two 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, who sees
that thew are put to bed Such things are pound
e. banner occasionally, and it is not likely that
onv of the women will have the bad tact to ask
what has become of them
There is a good long evening, which, appropri-
ately to Christmas is given up to romp. Such
old-fashioned games as blind mans bun and nunt
the slipper furnish incidental opportunities tor
much incidental Irritation and love-making Per
hans there may even be a kissing game or two;
and spray of mistletoe fastened over doorway
gives excuse for some osculation Aad great deal
Of merriment 1t is all very delightful Christ
mas gifts are exhibited. and Nellie Custis. 1t Is
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 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 to
considerable amounts being one of the vices he
most abhors. As for Mrs. Washington, she talks
to a neghbor and knits. 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 1t night
be called of the Christmas festivities here de
scribed in such crude outline is still preserved
intact thanks to the efforts Of a 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
is practically as 1t was 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.