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


have one supplied to u, .apd 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 a 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-
parations for the occasion, the princi-
pal of which was inviting their gal
liant brothers the StOnewall Hook &
Ladder Co. No. 1 to join with them in
the celebration,
In the morning the two Companies
numbering largely over q hundred Of
as fine and manly looking fellows as
could be found in any 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,
aud 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-
SEES 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 a beautiful little
girl, moustached man that accom-.
plished whip and hearty good fellow
Dan Taylor held tao ribbons OF
the splendid team that drew it. Quite
number of Marshalls and aids hand
somely mounted and equipped as was
also the orator of the dag VIM. A.
Seay Esq, pranced along the line civ,
ing in an appearance entirely en- regte.
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 hastened into the
cool and refreshing retreat of Levint
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 prosusion by thu
liberal and i.nblic spirited proprietor
Thus ended the mornings part of thu
programme, and laInely as We have
i described it, we fear We shall do fal
less. justice % the evening, indeed w
know we should were we to attemp
any picture of the most attractive fea
"wh hath not prev'd how fseblywords essa.
To tx one spark Oh ueaaty heavenly rayl =
4 VIII. doth not feel. u til his failing sight
Paints into dimness with its own delight,
His changing cheek, bis sinking heart confess
The might, the majesty of loveliness "
Of the ball then we have only t,
say that of perhaps hundred o
more at whcih we have been present
as spectator or actor in Alexandria i
was as pleasant and agreeable iu eve
ry respect as any we ever attended
The room was large, light, aud airy
the three greatest essentials on sacf
occasions. IL was most tastefully ar
ranged, no doubt with the assistance
of rhe same fair hands that SO deftl,
worked on the carriages, though w
believe that to the worthy and popula
Treasurer Of the company much OF tn
credit is due. The beautiful banne
presented to the Pacifcs by the ladies
of Alexandria was attached to til,
wall opposite the music stand, ant
Il l...~.o ~ fbn ~.