Morrison's Bush.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1889, 27 September 1886, Page 2

Morrison's Bush.

By i Literary Bohemian. Last Friday I was told off by the proprietor of the Standard to visit and report upon a ball that was to Uke place that r.i,.l ' »t Morrison’s Bush. I was much pleased at the appointment, for next to a jolly good tea party or picnic, when there arc; plenty of go> i things to eat and nice young ladies to wait upon one, 1 like a social ball. It w»a therefore with much pleasure that I looked forward to paying homage to Terpsichore, the Muse of dancing, and all the fair H»be’s that I felt sure would be yesent, lor you must know that there a some pretty and accomplished young ladies living in tl quarter. 1 have noticed in the columns ot the Standard when a report has appeared about a Greytown ball that special mention has .been made of the beautiful dresses and appearance of the fair ones of Moroa and Morrison’s Bush, and they have always so managed it that one of their number has been accounted “the belle of the ball.” And now 1 was told off to the very place when all tbe belles were to meet. “ Oh, what must it be to be there ” I thought, and I longed for the evening hours to come when I should be in tbe midst of

such a charming galaxy of beauty. I was blessed with a young lady as a companion on the way down, tbe lair equestrian belonging to one of the families of Morrison’s Bush, bnt I regret to say that tbe weather misbehaved itself again, as it has done frequently of Ute. It was damp, and a wretched biting S.E. wind kept blowing in our faces. My fair companion said she was not afraid of the wet. and so 1 said 1 wasn’t, but lor all that I should have preferred staying at home. I think by tbe way she rode through it there must have been a loadstone at the end of tbe journey Arrived at the place of meeting we found that there were visitors from alt parta of tbe neighbourhood, and when I looked in at the room for dancing I was afraid there would be a bit of a squeeze. Everybody was in joyous spirits, and the cordial greeting of friends from tbe different parts ot the country round was delightful to see. Mr T. Wakelin, the dominee of the school, with his good lady, who have just moved isto their new residence close by, kindly gave up tbe use of one of their rooms to tbe ladies, which action certainly deserves a public word of thanks, as it added to the enjoyment of tbe visitors. There was a bountiful supply ot delicacies, and tbe supper room was under the charge of Mrs Ay 100, who fulfilled her part to the satisfaction of all. Next to tbe young ladies I enjoyed the bounteous spread. I never eat much though, for 1 only (as an old lady once put it) just " pick, pick, pick all the time.” It was in tbe sapper room, however, that I found out what a hearty lot of people lived in that neighbourhood. The musio was delightful. You have rend of Orpheus, a Thracian poet, who moved rocks and tamed wild beasts by tbe music of his lyre ; well, if I were to say that the music on Friday night had juat that effect it might be considered a doubtful compliment as far as tbe dancers were concerned, but I assure you without any ” soft soap ” that it was of a very enlivening and sparkling character. Mr Hugh Morrison made a capital Master ot Ceremonies. “ The dancing was spiritedly sustained until a late hour." This, I believe, is the way to put it, and I may add that I was surprised at the number of young people in a small country district who could go through every dance, round and square, with such grace and ease. No doubt this it because dancing is the chief pastime in such place*. I do not know whether to describe the dresses and the lovely creatures who wore them. This is not ” soft soap.” I made ftienda with a good many of them, and I should like to pay some pretty compliments alt round, but I know that editors often slaughter tbe effusions even of tbeir reporters ; and then if 1 speak gushingly of one young lady what will another say if I don’t speak well of her too. I confess I am in a fix, but I will give your readers a list of tbe whole of tbe gay company. [We have been obliged to out this oat lor want of space.—Ed.] Nearly every lady in the room was in fancy costume, and I have never seen a ball with such a prepon* deranoe of fancy dre js before. I thoroughly eujoyed myself and so did everybody, and it was not till the day began to dawn that we broke up. After all the gaiety and excitement it was sweet to reach my couch of slumber, and as 1 laid my bead down upon the pillow I murmured a blessing, like Saucbo Panzt, upon the man who invented sleep.