National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-30
At THE SCHUETzEN PARK.
coMMEHCEMENT OF THE NINTH AN
EUIL FEST.

y
Confession AND DEeoRAuoSs = REcEP-.
ton OF yIsIToRs-LUHcH ANnsFEETHEs
HOW THE PARK LooKED-A GALA DAY
FOR THE GERMANS. -
A festival which is looked forward to with
pleasure each year, and which has now settled
down into one of the events Of the summer
season in Washington, is the annual fest of
the Washington Schuetzen Verein, which was
ushered in for the ninth time at their beauti-
full park yesterday. Every resident ofthe Dis
tIict is more or less familiar with the details of
these gala days, and hardly one but can point
back to some pleasant episode connected with
the previous tests. Yesterday was certainly no
exception to the rule. 1t is true the sun was
blazing hot, the streets and sidewalks were
dusty, the breeze thing only In name; but for
all that it did not in the least interfere with
the preliminary arrangements and programme
of the fun-loving citizens. They met at the
appointed time, received and welcomed their
guests, formed the procession, and 10 the
sound of martial music, through long dry
streets, past waving banners and symbolic
green, they wendell their way to the spo. sa-
credlE dedicated by them TO pleasure.
= The gray and green of the uniforms seemed
70 mingle in better contrast after the dust had
mnde them near alike The black plumes
d-oped only 70 revive as the thunder of the
'caruon shook the dust from them st the en-
trsrce to the park gates, and parched throats
were soon made pleasant BY copious draughts
ofsthe German national beverage, lager beer
IN fact, even the rifles which the members bore
through the long march changed appearance
after. they had been safely landed In the shoot
ing q llerys
and after moment for rest the Verein was
called % order IN the banquet hall, where
lunch had been prepared. This wes partaken
Of, and then President Vol, on behalf of the
Washington association. made q brief address
Nof welcome 70 he Baltimore visitors, to which
Prssldsi1 Lemkuhl responded in appropriate
terms.
TIE formal ceremonies were over and the
members and guests EeIe At liberty to wander
where they would Some sought at once the
shooting gallery, and moment later the sharp
crack Of the rife told that the ambitious ones
in that line were contending for royal honors.
Others were in the bowling alley making or
trying to make ten strikes; others were at the
wheel of fortune, dallying with fate; others
were in the shady spots under the trees smok-
ing Adam Young's Kate cigars and drinking
Pilsen beer from Bernard Henze's stand and
fine wines and cool beer from the counter of
''mine host'' Horner. The ladies had gone to
the rife gallery for . friendly contest with not
very deadly weapons, and the children divided
the honors between the swings and the hobby
horses, or, as they are called, carousals.
For the bad boys, those who had walked out
and climbed over the fence there was but one
refuge, and that they embraced willingly.
They certainly missed Reese, who, in years
past was such liberal pToyider for their COM
fort, but with the philosophy which belongs to
boyhood, they made the best Of the situation,
and the way they one and all tried to reach
To-, 81 loT,, koh &c
the no account articles suspended therefrom
speaks well for their success in life /; that is,
providing they display the ssTne tenacity in all
they undertake as they did yesterday, and
show as little concern at their lack of success.
Scattered through the grounds are the usual
variety Of booths, consisting of cake and ice
cream, beer, rsfies, games of al kinds, air
guns; in fact, enoush to amuse the great
throng In attendance.
In the handsome new musie-stand sat the
Marine band, and at brief intervals during the
afternoon they performed appropriate airs, be-
ing relieved in the pleasant duty by the band
which accompanied the Baltimore party.
The park itself was in most excellent condi-
ton. The grass was green and smooth shaven,
the walks nicely trimmed, and, turn where
you would, banners of every color, shaped
into fantastic ornaments, or pretty arches, met
the view. Quaint devices in German and Eng
hsh letters, fashioned after quaint designs,
were TO be met on every hand: and add to this
the long lines OF colored lanterns, which were
strung from tree to tree, and one can conceive
an idea of the beauty Of the scene.
As twilight approached, the string band took
their positions in the orchestra Of the main
pavilion, and soon the merry dancers were en-
joying themselves to their hearts content.
There was an interlule for other pleasure in
the shape Of the variety performance given ION
platform erected on the laWa to the SOUTH
east of the mansion) by the Kiralfy sisters,
the famous Hungarian fanily, and other artists
OF merit; all of which were received with ap-
plsuse. Then came night, and, as if by magic,
the scene became one OF enchantment. Over
the broad expanse of the enclosure, far as one
could see, were lights Of many colors peeping
from beneath the green foliage Of the trees
and lighting the sward aud paved walks.
Bands Of instrumental -r.1sis - !. Sno IS
.o..kI.--. S-----uI7u anon the sweet strains Of
the BRnQerbund Association caused momen-
tary cessation of the otherwise incessant hum.
Crowds Of well-dressed, well-behaVed ladies
and gentlemen cireled through the grounds,
rested for refreshments at the arbors, and |
sought the pavilion. The bells and gongs Of |
the different booths made a not inharmonious |
music, and, taken as q whole, the feeling of |
those present was that it was well to be there. |
This era of happy good feeling was contin- |
ued until midnight, when the signal-gun, In |
tones too soon spoken, Numbered the fiat |
"close." This could not be disobeyed, and |
afteT Just one more dance, just one more beer,
and innumersble promises TO meet on the same
spot to-day, the company separated, and the
first day of the ninth annual fest was over.