The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-12-23
The Bal Masquc.

81 ipiiiSJ We NeEe StdIticu Ou EItuay OfSu
last by an unusually severe and sudden
ting-a ling Of the door bell. The bette,
half rushed to the door as if Gabriel haG
called for her; we followed cautiously
and on the opening Of the swinging means
Of access to our domicil, we saw crowd
calculated to put one out of conceit Of ali
the faces in Strones Almanac. Hamlet
met ghost and it made "each particular
hair stand on end, like quilts Of fretful
porcupine." We saw worse than that; two
or three dozen of masqucd humanity fright.
full enough in feature to scare even ghost
back TO the Plutonan shore At first the
impulse of we editor was ito cut stick" to
vamose, to skedadde-to do anything to
escape the terrors of an intimacy with
such unearthly looking specimens of the
genus homo. We thought Of regiment of
delinquent subscribers doing purgatorial
penancc on the other side of the river
Styx. But we soon rallied. Noticing the
uncovered and good-naturcd faces Of
ScuoErrEL, DANAN & Co., Of the Prairie
Band, with harp, violins, etc, etc, we con-
cluded the party was fond of music and
therefore could not be eft for treason, stra.
tagems and spoils." Our suspicion of the
peaceful intent Of these surprise. ing
guests was confirmed by cordial pressure
Of hands and an effort to speak Gin changed
voices) word Of holiday congratulation to
the inmates Of our little castle. Suppress
ing remaining apprehensions heartfelt
welcome was extended to the visitors con-
vcrsation in all languages and in no Ian
guage, were The order for few minutes !;
Menus, the god of Humer asserted his
right to preside, the rooms were cleared of
furniture, the Band was seated, partners
for quadrille" was squeaked out by "Ike
Partington," the curtain was raised, the
actors were all in their places and then
away went the feet of the joyous party in
time to the best music in. North. Iowa.
The movements were graceful, but owing
to the strange style Of dress and the awful
faces, the appearance of the dancers was
irresistibly comic and those not in the
giddy whirl went intS commissions Of laugh.
ter.
Not to seem away from home and think
ing that our chances for Congress might
be improved bya social coup de tat, we
extended an arm to the 1opsy of the party
and were eondescendingly accepted as a
partner for the next set. Our friend Hon.
D. H., who happened to be present, looked
a trifle envious at our progress toward ''co-
lored equality" but we could not help it..
We are losing fastidiousness on this point
and wishing to conform to Presidential con-
victions and the law of "God and Humani-
ty" as now popularity expounded, VIC turn
ed short corner and hereby advise &C.
quaintances to 60 in for shades if they
would win! 7opsy proved a splendid
partner; the style she gave to the charac-
ter personated almost finished Mrs. Gen.
B., Senator H., the Band, and other look
ers on. But to the characters:
Minnehaha was there in the person of
one Of the most graceful ladies in Iowa,
Mrs. LILLIAs b.; dressed in the costume OF
an indian Princess, with beads and bells,
feathers, rings, blankets Of rich, red cloth,
moccasins, bow and CULVER and other in.
SEPARATES from the native toilet, she play
ed her part in taste and was the observed
of all. Night with her stormy crown and
sombre dress was well represented by Miss
JENNIE B. Mrs. harrington was admira-
bly, "done" by Miss NELLIE c.; her grand
motherlooking mask, her bent-up form,
hobbling walk and the comical old-lady.
like style Of behavior and conversation she
particularly with "Ike,"- were
enough to make body forget the coming
draft. 7opsy was in full costume dress of
linsey plaid, little shorte ned in the skirts,
hair well curled, a mask as black as Egypt,
teeth like pear!s-oh, she was lovely to be-
hold! The character was well sustained
by Miss CYNTHIA +. Mrs. EUGENE H. was
dressed in the neat, snowy costume of
Swiss Peasant girl in holiday times: to fine
appearance this lady added naicete that
was very appropriate and charming. The
Nun was represented by one of McGre-
gor's most estimable young ladies'; the dig
nifty and reserve which marked her pres
ence, the plainness of her costume, her
veil and other distinguishing points o.
female recluse rendered Miss FANNIE C.
highly interesting. Miss KATE S. repre-
scented peasant girl of the Rhine--a full
head.dress or cap of jaconett with immense
wings or fy.a-bouts. white dress and mask
to fit the character completed q striking
portrait Of what we are told is abundant
in Fader>land. The Maid Of the Hist was
clothed in white as pure as the sea-
foam which is supposed to AVE the
threshold Of her fairy cottage; she was
as call of life as Miss ALICE H. is
known to be in all social circles. Mrs.
DOCTOR n. vas robed in the neat "rig" of
an American country girl. Mrs. S. and
Miss C. came in, CARRIED as quakeresses,
with "spectacles on nose'' and otherwise
as prim as Chestnut street Philadelphia.
We regret they did not stay longer and
make the acquaintance of the company.
Mrs. WILL B. and Mrs. EDWIN P. wore
dominos emily.
The gents were rich in humor and loud