The Gold Leaf

THE LEAP YEAR HOP.

A Brilliant and Successful Affair—A Large Attendance and a Pleasant Time had by all—The Costumes and by Whom they were Worn, Etc.

The fancy dress Leap Year Hop at Burwell Hall Tuesday evening, Jan. 24th, was one of the most brilliant and successful affairs of the kind ever gotten up in Henderson. The attendance was large and many of the costumes elegant, and altogether it was a most delightful and enjoyable event. The ladies deserve very great credit for making it such a grand and pleasant success, and taught the gentlemen a lesson in the get-up and management of such things. The supper was in keeping with the other features of the occasion, and this was to be expected when Mrs. N. H. Chavasse, Mrs. T. L. Jones, Mrs. Solon Southerland and Mrs. J. E. Clarke, assisted by others, composed the supper committee. Our reporter has attempted to "write-up" the hop, describing the costumes worn, in the following manner:

Mrs. Henry Perry was as pretty and as sprightly as could be as Yum Yum, one of the three little maids from school, and hers was one of the most appropriate costumes we saw. She kept her eye on her husband during the evening and he neither played billiards nor pool. Mr. Perry was clothed with authority from Uncle Sam, and wore a "still worm" coiled about his neck.

Miss Mamie Wyche, as Queen of the Harvest, wore a very pretty costume and no character was better sustained. Her dress and ornaments matched perfectly and if possible greatly enhanced her natural beauty. She took Mr. Eddie Strause, a handsome young brunette of winning smiles and engaging manners, who wore a calico dress in every way becoming to his style of beauty. No ornaments.

Miss Minnie Barnard wore a handsome dress of white satin, lace overskirt. She represented no character other than her own sweet self, and gave Mr. Joe Moss the pleasure of her company. He was arrayed in full dress, made of salt sacks cut bias, and carried a baseball club in his hand. Ornaments, a cunning smile and a couple of telegraph batteries, one under each arm.

Miss Lula Henderson wore a beautiful dress of white satin and plush, and never looked sweeter than she did as Juliet. Mr. Joe Estes played Romeo and was diked out specially for the occasion. He wore a suit of sheep's grey cut blouse, with a cradle spread thrown over his shoulders. Mr. Estes is one of the belles of the village and the girls go into conniptions over him. Ornaments, a winning smile and brass spectacles.

Miss Alice Johnson wore a handsome costume and represented a Tyrolese girl. Hers was one of the best taken characters of the evening. Mr. Will Estes was fortunate in being chosen to accompany her and he appreciated the honor thus done him. While Mr. Estes is not altogether as gay as his younger brother, he has a more prominent brow and his society is much sought and enjoyed. His paraphernalia was a combination of old gold tinfoil and roofing tin overskirt and basque, and he never appeared more charming and agreeable. He wore his hair flowing down his back and carried a cabbage head in his hand.

Miss Gertie O'Neil represented Music, and wore a very pretty costume, suited to the character taken. Mr. George Rose had the pleasure of her attention and smiles, and was sorry when the dance ended. He was robed in a flowing gown of yellow cheese cloth trimmed with green and red, and was more ravishingly beautiful than ever. His condescending smiles were courted on all sides and he had to fight his way through to keep the "maddening crowd" from walking on his train. Ornaments, brass jewelry and snow shoes.

Miss Florence Barnard wore a handsome dress of pink satin, and escorted Mr. Herbert Pender, of Oxford. Evening dress; sunflower button hole bouquet.

Miss Mattie Stallings represented Winter, and wore a costume befitting her character. It was a black dress with fleecy flakes of lint cotton resembling snow all over it. She was good enough to go with Mr. Henry Buell, who made himself agreeable and entertaining in evening dress. No jewelry.

Miss Sallie Young, one of the town's sweetest song birds and fairest feminine flowers, wore an appropriate costume representing a Quakeress. It fell to Mr. Sam Burwell's lot to be selected as the fortunate person whom she should escort to the hop and he was glad of it. Mr. Burwell is yet young but has been on the carpet a good while, having "turned out" early in life. He is quite a belle and has had several duels fought over him. He is a great favorite and known as the possessor of an "elegant wardrobe, and a mighty nice stand." He doesn't own the world, but a stranger would never know it to see him walk. Mr. Burwell has a "bad eye" and a smile that means more than it says. He wore seventeen different suits during the evening, and time and space forbid further particulars. Ornaments, plate glass jewelry studded with brilliants (lighted gas jets) and banged hair.

Miss Jennie Southerland was most vivacious and charming as Peep Bo, one of the three little maids from school. She wore a very pretty costume and never appeared more lovely in manner or person. She was the good angel who watched over Mr. Abe Strause, a dashing young brunette and a popular society belle. He wore a "fancy bright wrapper" dress trimmed with purple cambric, and waltzed "just heavenly." Ornaments, a pair of beautiful pink eyes and a borrowed smile.

Miss Bettie Clarke, of Portsmouth, wore cream satin and lace, and escorted Mr. Charlie Clarke ("Big Lick"). He had taken the precaution to order a special suit (with regard to length) for the occasion, and appeared to great advantage in a Mother Hubbard dress made of tarpaulin cloth with corsage of mosquito netting cut low in the back. Mr. Clarke stands high in the community and is greatly beloved by all the girls. He was a conspicuous object—when standing beside a low person—and his society was much sought during the evening. Ornaments, a brass watch chain with a biscuit fastened to one end of it.

Miss Carrie Smoot wore a very pretty costume of red and black, representing a Spanish maid. Mr. Arch Lewis was happy because she was his escort, and an embalmed smile rested on his countenance during the entire evening. He was gorgeously gotten up in a blood red dress of window glass edged Sir Walter Raleigh. Mr. Lewis is a famous young society belle and is popular alike for his magnificent voice and his cash on hand. He is a decided blonde, wears his moustache done up on curling papers, and kept his hat on in the presence of ladies. Ornaments, cast iron jewelry and a becoming blush on his velvety cheeks.
Miss Lucy Manning wore a becoming dress of light blue cashmere and lace. She took Mr. Lew Green, an acknowledged belle of engaging manners and bewitching smiles. He was gorgeously attired in a suit of gunny bagging, and wore some of Anglea's best shoes. Ornaments, a pair of sore fingers done up in plant bed cloth. (A large lot just received at Parker & Closs', 2½ cents a yard. Tom will set 'em up to at least a half a dozen of his best cigars for this.)

Miss Willie Smoot, one of the loveliest of our lovely maidens, as Snow Flake, wore white satin and lace—one of the prettiest costumes on the floor—beautiful in its simplicity and elegance of taste, while it was no less costly and attractive. Hers was indeed one of the most appropriate and perfectly represented characters of the occasion. She escorted Mr. Frank Ward who was sumptuous in his gorgeousness and smiles, arrayed in a Mother Hubbard dress of "purple and fine linen," and represented a Spanish Troubadour. Mr. Ward was one of the belles of the evening, as he is on all occasions. Ornaments, brass jewelry and a delicate flush on his two pretty cheeks.

Miss Bettie Corbitt, as Little Bo Peep, wore a very pretty costume and never looked prettier or felt better. (There was one lady in the house smaller than her self.) She chaperoned Mr. Pryce Jones and kept him from flirting with other girls during the evening. He wore a plain suit, a darling smile on his face, and heliotrope cologne. Ornaments, plate glass jewelry and number twelve brogans.

Miss Pattie Montgomery, of Raleigh, as Sunflower, was becomingly dressed in white satin and lace, and was no less charming and agreeable than usual. She was good enough to keep Mr. Owen Davis, a popular young fascinator and a first rate "catch," from talking himself hoarse to the farmers who were stopping at the Sidelight warehouse Tuesday night. Mr. Davis wore a low neck dress, hair done up in a French coil, and was gotten up without regard to cost or good looks. He had diamonds and sapphires on his fingers and toes, and will stick to the farmer who to Davis' goes. (This is a murderous rhyme of his own and was paid for in advance.)

Miss Verdie Robards, as Queen of the Harvest, was very appropriately costumed in satin and silk, and took care of Mr. Harry Chavasse, who represented a Knight. His fine physique and becoming dress made him appear even more charming and vivacious than ever, and he was easily one of the "belles of the ball." Ornaments, a delicate moustache and a ruffled shirt front.

Miss Sallie Clarke wore one of the prettiest and most attractive costumes on the floor, representing the Roses, a character for which with her elegant dress she seemed peculiarly suited. She went forth in the stilly night as the pale moon looked softly down with Mr. Joe Burwell, a popular belle and a great favorite in the town. In the dual role of Lord Chesterfield and Vanderbilt the Second, he was the personification of courtly grace and manly beauty, while his elegant and costly "get-up" was in itself a thing of beauty and a joy forever. Mr. Burwell wore his hair pompadour while a cute little "beaucatcher" toyed playfully with his left eye-brow and a knowing and self-satisfying smile lurked suspiciously in a beautiful dimple in his smooth soft cheek. Ornaments, corrugated iron and cut glass jewelry; bergamot perfume.

Miss Bettie Blacknall, as Cleopatra, was appropriately costumed and well sustained her character. She was escort for Mr. Henry Cannon, who essayed the part of Mark Antony. Mr. Cannon poses as a professional beauty, and is one of the most popular and widely known of our queens of society. He is a dashing young society belle and is noted for his extreme liberality, no less than for his great personal charms, and no one has more worshipers kneeling at his shrine. His fortune is ample and he is worth going for. The costume worn by him Tuesday evening was a model of neatness and simplicity and elegance and extravagance combined, and excited the wonder and admiration of those who saw it. A patent right having been taken out on it by the owner it cannot be here given. Ornaments, a seductive smile, and a piece of gold in his front tooth. He wore Arctics and kept his overcoat on.

Mrs. T. A. Davis represented the Gold Leaf, and never was such lustre and honor shed upon it before. Handsome and magnificent woman that she is, no less lovely in character than she is in person, with such a charming player in the title role, the character could not have been other than admirably sustained. She wore a very pretty and tasty costume, with miniature copies of the Gold Leaf tacked about the waist and skirt, and a head dress of leaf-shaped pieces of gilt tinfoil made into a crown. Mrs. Davis' costume was one of the most appropriate of the occasion, and perhaps none attracted greater attention. She escorted her husband and he was proud to "fess up" to it when interrogated by our reporter. Mr. Davis wore a borrowed swallow-tail coat and appeared ill at ease because he could not throw it down on a pile of tobacco and beg a buyer to give the old man a quarter more.

Miss Annie Manning was costumed in combination suit of red, white and blue, and was considerate enough to take Mr. Bat Parham, who was just convalescing from a severe attack of cutting whiskers, under the protecting care of her right wing. Mr. Parham's outfit was made of linsey woolsey, in knee breeches, a borrowed sash of sky blue calico and an enticing smile.

Mr. A. Hatchett, an erstwhile popular society belle who of late years has retired from the track, except on special occasions, was there decorated in the best he could get up on short notice. He wore an elaborate costume of old newspapers sheared around the bottom, and pasted up behind, and appeared as charming and bewitching as if a "delinquent" had just made him another promise. Mr. Hatchett had no engagement, but a newspaper man is a privileged character and he didn't stay home on that account. A sample of his waltzing was sufficient to satisfy all, and his services were in great demand during the balance of the evening. Miss Lizzie Clarke was dressed in a handsome dress and represented one of the three graces, taking the character of Hope. Her costume was most becoming and she appeared as bright and cheerful and happy as Hope itself. Kind and compassionate soul that she is she made it possible for Mr. Henry Macy to attend the hop without going alone. He was dressed in a buffalo robe and cow hair breeches, disguised as a gentleman. The deception was so plain, however, that it was easily detected. A locomotive headlight flashed from his turkey red shirt front while a couple of railroad fishbars hung pendant from his ears. Mr. Macy was a popular belle of the evening and it was painful to see him try to dance.

Miss Nina Manning represented Night, and wore an appropriate costume of black covered with a spray of twinkling stars. She wrapped the drapery of her protecting care about Mr. Joe Swain and was his guiding star for the evening. He was stunningly dressed in a mixed suit of butternut jeans and cheese cloth, and talked "gosling." Mr. Swain is prettier and more stylish than his brother Whit, and waltzes divinely. He danced until he got tired Tuesday night.

Miss Lottie Southerland, one of the fairest of the fair of our lovely young ladies, dressed in cream satin and lace, represented Wealth, and certainly no one could have more fully sustained that character. Possessing as she does a wealth of beauty and womanly charms and graces, with her beautiful costume adorned with a profusion of old Confederate bills, and wearing pearls and diamonds, she truly and faithfully portrayed the character she assumed. She played the agreeable to Mr. Otis Smoot, a charming young belle who numbers his admirers by the stars—until he gets tired of counting. He was attired in his usual dignified manner and long tail coat and wore his vest cut décolleté. Mr. Smoot's society was much sought during the evening and his great popularity caused the "wall flowers" to turn black in the face with envy. He wore roller skates and had his hair frizzed.

Mrs. Thos. H. Chavasse was most vivacious and charming as Pitti Sing, one of the three little maids from school. She wore a beautiful costume and no character was better sustained either in make-up or manner. She took her husband he being too small and timid to go by himself. Mr. Chavasse was dressed in Martha Washington style with hair puffed and powdered and done up in a coil on top. He was as spry and nimble as a kitten and shook the house when he danced. He was finally restrained from dancing and given supper to pacify him. Ornaments, brass buttons owned by the Raleigh & Gaston Railroad Company.
Miss Fannie Swain represented a Young Lady of the Period. She wore a very pretty costume, and was no less attractive in manner and person, and Mr. Sam Parham was pleased to have her act as his escort. He wore his best bib and tucker and was as charming and graceful on the floor as he is polite and accommodating at Cooper's. Mr. Parham is just in the bud and blossom of flush young manhood, and very popular with the younger set. He is some older and taller than his brother Bat but not quite as "fly" among the girls.

Miss Hattie O'Neil represented an Artist, and appeared to advantage in a handsome costume appropriate to her character. She was vivacious and charming and made Mr. Whit Swain as happy as a big sunflower by taking him to the Leap Year Hop, as otherwise he might have been forced to either stay at home or go alone. He was dressed specially for the occasion and put on all he had. His costume consisted of the outfit usually worn by gentlemen and a buggy robe thrown carelessly over his left shoulder and hooked up at the back. A perpetual smile played hide and seek all over his face and a blush came to his cheek whenever a girl asked him to dance with her. Perfumery, extract of Day's horse and cattle powders.

Miss Bettie Haskins, a popular young lady whose agreeable society Mecklenburg county, Va., occasionally lends to us, represented a Scotch Lassie. She wore a very pretty costume alike tasty and appropriate to the character assumed. She escorted Mr. "Jack" Taylor, the charmer, who on this occasion seemed even more beautiful and irresistible than ever. He was faultlessly attired in a blue bottle suit trimmed with green and yellow, and his graceful figure was a conspicuous object at all times. Mr. Taylor is of the blonde type of beauty, has pearly teeth and a bank account. He wears his moustache done up in curling irons, a dimple in his chin and a merry twinkle in his left eye. Ornaments, old gold (worn out) jewelry, rubber boots and a straw hat.

Miss Fannie Campbell was dressed in a very handsome costume representing a Gypsy Fortune teller. She shed the light of her countenance upon Mr. Lee Tilghman and he was happy. He wore a magnificent dress of cheese cloth made en train, and perhaps never displayed his rare charms of person and manner to better advantage. Couldn't borrow any jewelry.

Miss Tim Goodrich wore a pretty and becoming dress and represented a Calla Lily. She was the escort of Mr. John Hicks, undressed kid, ballet girl style, in Shakespearean character. His costume was simply indescribable. Mr. Hicks wore a jeweler's (watch) sign swung pendant from a trace chain gracefully wound about his neck and attracted more than his share of attention during the evening. Ornaments, wooden ear-rings studded with icicles.

Miss Mamie Kittrell, of Kittrell, represented Night, and wore a pretty costume befitting her character. Mr. Ed Peoples, a fascinating young brunette who has a happy faculty of making himself agreeable to all, was fortunate enough to claim her company and attentions. He wore a very handsome suit of Lehman's best, and his long tail coat swept the floor when he promenaded. For some time Mr. Peoples labored under the disadvantage of being taken for "Bow" Harris, and he was treated rather cool at first, but as soon as his identity was established he received all the attention he wanted. Forgot to put on his horse pistol and diamonds.

Miss Gussie Blacknall wore a becoming dress and danced well. She did not take any one.

Mrs. Nat Henderson appeared well in a becoming dress and took care of her husband during the evening. Mr. Henderson wore an elaborate dress of black and tan homespun and chewed tobacco. Ornaments, a policeman's star and billet.

Miss Janie Goodwyn, of Warren county, was handsomely and becomingly dressed as Morning. Mr. A. K. Anglea was the lucky person to claim her as his escort. He wore a rich dress of cream satin, lace overskirt, beaded with powder of pearl trimmings, and a crown of diamonds sparkled on his "top knot." Mr. Anglea is a dashing young belle of charming and engaging manners and received thirty-six offers of marriage during the evening. He has a petite figure, and a pretty foot, and keeps a fine horse and a bank account. The girls go into ecstasies over him.

Miss Emily Capehart, of Kittrell, wore a beautiful costume, taking the character of Lady Washington. It was the good fortune of Mr. Swep Major, one of our most charming and agreeable belles, to have her watchful and protecting care thrown around him. He had a handsome dress of red muslin built on a clothes dummy and wore an engaging smile. Mr. Major's modesty and good looks shone no less conspicuously than did his partial bald head. Ornaments, boiler plate jewelry.

Mrs. E. G. Davis wore a beautiful costume, very becoming and appropriate to the character represented—a French court lady of the reign of Louis XVI. Mrs. Davis was no less charming and agreeable than she always is, and her husband was proud because she preferred to take him to the hop. Mr. Davis was elegantly attired in a spike tail coat, high standing collar and blood red necktie. Ornaments, a bandana handkerchief tied about his head. He can't dance and didn't try.

Miss Louise Hardy, of Williamsboro, was attired in a very pretty and becoming dress, and made Mr. Nat Boyd happy because she was his escort for the evening.

Miss Tempie Williams, of Oxford, wore a handsome dress of cream satin, and was the escort of Mr. John Thomas, Oxford. Evening dress.

Miss Lucie Kittrell, of Kittrell, wore white passamenterie and satin, and represented a Game Girl. She did not take any one and was impartial in her attentions to the stronger sex during the evening.

Miss Alice McDuffie, of Fayetteville, wore a pretty and becoming dress, and looked after Mr. Gilliam Hart. He wore his usual handsome face and tender young moustache, and appeared to great advantage in a bed ticking suit cut low in the neck and high at the bottom. Mr. Hart is one of our popular young society belles and is remarkable alike for his rare personal beauty and the dexterity with which he can catch a base ball on the first base. He is a "darling" among the girls. Good looking enough without jewelry.

Miss Lizzie Kittrell, of Kittrell, wore a handsome dress of carpet silk, and escorted her brother Mr. Joe Kittrell. Evening dress.

Hon. John D. Cooper, our handsome and popular ex-Mayor of the town, was there dressed in his best suit and a profusion of smiles. He is a famous society belle, and although now married a stranger would have been none the wiser for seeing the girls dancing and flirting with him at the Leap Year hop. No one received greater attention or cut more "figures" on the floor. He wore a necklace of bear claws and had his overcoat pockets stuffed full of Allen & Ginter's cigarettes.

Miss Katie Capehart, of Kittrell, was dressed in Queen Elizabeth style, and accompanied her brother Mr. Tristram Capehart. Evening dress.

Miss Florence Hardy, of Williamsboro, gave her brother Mr. Willie Hardy, the pleasure of her company.

Messrs. W. H. Baird, Will McNair, Willie Cheek, Richard Henderson, Jim Plummer, Rob Southerland, and Fritz Cheek, all charming and graceful and popular young belles, were there arrayed in the best they had. They went alone but it was not their fault.

Mr. L. M. Micheaux, Richmond, Mr. Charlie Nelms, Baltimore, Mr. Bradly Saunders, Raleigh, Mr. M. P. Nowling, Richmond, and Messrs. Reed, Capehart and Collins, of Kittrell, were present and took part in the pleasures of the evening.

If the Gold Leaf has overlooked any of the dear fellows and failed to make due mention of their toilets, it was unintentional and we are glad of it. And thus ends the fancy dress Leap Year hop, the most brilliant affair of the kind ever witnessed in Burwell Hall.