Thursday, July 4, 2024

Chapel Hill Chaff, July 3, 1924

Chapel Hill Chaff

Rarely have I seen a more thoroughly escorted person than was Carolyn Winston as she passed down Rosemary Lane on her way to Ruth Watts’ party Saturday evening. Next to her, on the fence side of the walk, was Freddie Patterson, swinging along with a daring Lochinvar air. On her right was a chubby red-headed boy whom I did not recognize. And next the curb was one of the Lawrences, looking, I thought, a little sorrowful because he was not closer by. If Carolyn does not keep her retinues within reason, when she goes to parties, one of two things will have to be done: either the march must be two abreast, or else Town Manager Knox must be persuaded to widen the sidewalks.

-=-

On the way to Orange church Saturday afternoon I saw Captain Billy Pritchard surveyhing a row of cement slabs along the road about two feet from the edge of his lawn. “You see I’m building a graveyard,” he said. “Everything here except the inscriptions.” And, indeed, the slabs did have just the look of tombstones. Then he explained that he had put them there to protect a pipe line from breakage by heavy vehicles. Once again I was impressed by the vigor he displayed at his advanced age. He told me he had moved his whole lawn within the day, and now, as he toiled with rock and dirt, he gave no sign of weariness.

-=-

Mimosa blossoms delight the eye everywhere you turn these days, and their delicate fragrance pervades the village. One of the most beautiful displays is on the hillside near the new Branne house, at the edge of the old Tenney farm. There is a row of mimosas bordering the sidewalk in front of Mrs. Kluttz’s, and dozens of yards have their one or two trees.

-=-

The charm of walled gardens has been sung oft and again, but I am glad the walls in Chapel Hill are not high enough to obscure the flowers from passers-by. From Hillsboro street, when you loo over into the Kluttz place, you now see giant hollyhocks of many colors, and phlox, and dahlias, and Shasta daisies, and I don’t know how many other brilliant breeds.

-=-

It is good to see little Celia Durham playing about so healthy and strong after her severe illness of a few months ago. She did not get really well until her tonsils were removed week before last. Now she is fairly bubbling with energy and high spirits.

-=-

The open air has become a serious rival to the church as a place for weddings. Hubert Heffner and Miss Blanche Penny were married in Battle’s Park two years ago, and this month the nuptials of Arthur Chase and Miss Whitehead were celebrated there. Sometimes they choose one spot, sometimes another, --Lovers’ Leap or Lovers’ Seat or Droomgoole’s Tomb or Piney Prospect or maybe some nameless rock or spring or knoll. The accepted theory is that each couple chooses the place where the betrothal was made. Parson Moss usually performs the ceremony and is authorized to divulge the news to the public.

From page 1 of the Chapel Hill Weekly, July 3, 1924

No comments:

Post a Comment