Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1918-12-19

WHY
begin and might be kept up almost indefinitely
though. for his part, Washington never went be-
yond second glass Of wine, and 1t was his usual
custom to leave the table within few minutes
after his wife had gone.
Toasts. In those days, were never drunk until
after the ladies had left the table and no beautys
health was ever pledged in this fashion while she
was present But when the men found them.
selves alone, It was the proper thing for a young
gentleman to get upon his feet-which. 1t is to
be hoped, were still steady-and to say, II give
you Betty Lomax, the most beautiful girl In West
mdreland countyi" Or perhaps 1t might be Susan
Lee OF Rappahann0ck. Such toast was custom
arsly drunk stnnding-wit all the honors as the
phrase was.
Indeed, Christmas was a great day of festiv-
fty In the Virginia of that epoch Breakfast was
at eight or nine O'Clock, unless II had been de-
clded to go ahunting in the morning-in which
case the meal was eaten by candle-light. II there
was fox.hunt-a sport OF which Washington was
very fond-the host wore a brilliant red waist.
cont trimmed with gold lace. and the ladies' who
rode We're beautiful In scarlet habits. On such
occasions Mrs Washington would go out in her
chariot and four" keeping as close to the hunt
ms the roads would permit. Not until 1856 were
the Mount Vernon kennels abolished and the dogs
sold.
Those were days when meals were ample. but
were not multiplied Eating. when undertaken,
was ~ suSAC O6TlOuB business. This
Christmas dinner was at 3 80 p. M; there had
been no lunch. and there was no supper to Come
After dinner there were games-blind mans buff
hunt the slipper, and the like-with much rompnp
and more or less kissing. sprig of mistletoe
was hung up In a convenient place. and II a girl
happened 70 be kissed under 1t by a young man
she did not faint or call for help. In fact. It
might be suspected that she did not seriously OBJ.
ject.
Never and nowhere. in this world were thers
more capable and expert makers OF love than the
young men Of Washington's day in old Virginia.
Nobody ever saw jollier fellows than they were
II they loved hercely. they proved their sincerity
ny marrying early; and. when one Of them was
80 unfortunate as to lose his wife, he would in.
vartably marry again. Marriage was considered
Just about the most important duty of life. and
the love affairs of the gentlefoIk were freely
confded even to the servants Black Tom knew
that Mars james was "going after Miss Sallie
Lee, and would talk the matter over with his
young master And 1t was the same way with
the girls.
So 1t may easily be imagined that on festive
occasion such as this Christmas celebration a
good deal Of incidental lovemaking. some of II
serious enough. was accomplished. But the
Master OF the Revels. though he himself had been
sufficiently ardent In his youth was in later life
nc eager sympathizer with such follies -,
Though Mr. Washington took no part in the
romps that followed the dinner. he heartily en-.
joyed the fun. Occasionally he relished game
Of cards. and probably on this Christmas evening
he INDUCED In some such amusement in company
with the older people, while the young folks
scampered and romped He played for money
but the stakes were small.
There were two young people at Mount Vernon
In those days-the son and daughter Of Mr..
Washington by her first husband. It is easy TO
imagine the part they took in the romps on Christ
mas day. John and Martha, their names vera
hut Nv hVHAv,, Y..y.