Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-04-27


have one supplied. to u .end our only
trouble is not being able to do y full
justice. Happily too both for US an
our readers, it is not the hacknied one
Of politics, bat one Interesting to sll,
male and female, old aud young.
Thursday last was indeed gala day
in our nowadays dull town, land will
long be remembered by its inhabitants.
1t was the anniversary of one of the
two fire organizations of which Alex
andriS is so justly proud. The Pacific
No. /, who had made extensive pre-
partitions for the occasion, the princi-
pal of which was inviting their gal
liant brothers the Stonewall Hook &
Ladder Go. No. 1 to join with them in
the celebration,
In the morning the two Companies
numbering largely over hundred of
as fine and manly looking fellows as
could be found in AIRY town in the ma
ton whose deeds on every occasion of
need have not belied their looks,
met in front of their headquarters
ters in the town hall, the Pacific's in
Red and Black uniforms with their
number in silver shining on their
breasts, and the Stonewalls in White
and Blue. The Engine Hose Carriage,
and Ladder Truck, were most beauti-
fully and tastely decorated with fOw-
ers of every hue and variety, showing
that fairer aud nimbler hands than
those that held the ropes had had u
part in the affair. The Pacifics head
ed the procession two and two, hold
ing the ropes before the tour fine hor-
ses attached to the Engine, on which
in a bower Of flowers as a nominal dri-
yer we suppose sat beautiful little
girl with clustering ringlets. The
Stonewalls succeeded holding in. the
same way the ropes of their ladder
truck, but instead of beautiful little
girl, q moustached man that accom-
plished whip and hearty good fellow
Dan Taylor held the ribbons OF
the splendid team that drew it. Quite
a number of Marshalls and aids hand
somely mounted and equipped as WAS
also the orator of the day VIM. A.
Seay Esq, pranced along the line Civ
ing in an appearance entirely en- 'regtc.
After considerable marching and
counter marching the procession re
turned to the point Of starting the
Town Hall marching BY our Office, and
giving us en- PEASANT three cheers, for
which az we were not in to say it then,
we now acknowledge ourself most high
" fattered. After some appropriate
and of course we'll chosen and deliver
ed remarks from the orator of the day.
the ranks were broken and the hot
and thirsty crowd FASTENED into the
cool and refreshing retreat of Levin's
Saloon where with the grateful breezes
tanning them from all sides, they en-
joyed the iced and sparkling beverage
and more solid refreshments supplied
in the most generous profusion by the
liberal and iublic spirited proprietor
Thus ended the mornings part of the
programme, and lamely as We have
described it, we fear we shall do fal
less'justice 70 the evening, indeed We
know we should were we to attempt
any picture of the most attractive fea
ture, for. i,,a s ust
"wh hath not prev'd how fssblywords essay
Tofix one spark Oh ueauuy o heavenly rayf
VIII. doth not feel, u til his falling sight
Eaints into dimness with its own delight,
His changing cheek, his sinking heart confess
The might, the majesty of loveliness
OF the ball then we have only te
say that of perhaps q hundred OF
more at whcih we have been present
as spectator or actor in Alexandria il
was as pleasant and agreeable iu eve
~ respect as any we ever attended
The room was large, light, aud airy
the three greatest essentials on such
occasions. IL was most tastefully ar
ranged, no doubt with the assistance
Of rhe same fair hands that SO deity
worked on the carriages, though We
believe that to tho worthy and popular
Treasurer Of the company much OF the
credit is due. The beautiful banner
presented to the Pacitics by the ladies
of Alexandria was attached to the
wall opposite the music stand, and
large photographs relating TO the fire