National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-09
FAIR OF ALL NATIONS.
The Annapolis Women Looking out for the
poor

ANNAPOLIS, Nd, Dec. G. 1876.
To the Editor Of tas National Republican:
SIR: Weallllke to be amused, and so when It was
announced that the ladies Of st. Anne's church
were to give festival In this city on the night of
November 90 we all rejoicei. We remembered
the charming Centennial tea party Of a year ago,
which was held IN our historic Stsse-house, ths
rich, old-time dresses the ladies harmonizinz so
perfectly with their surroundings, and making a
picture that no one who saw It will soon forget
One enthusiastic little woman, Northern born and
bred, to whom everything In our ancient city was
novel and interesting, could hardly find words to
express her delight. $50 quaint, so beautiful:
oh, We really seemed TO have gone right back q
hundred years" And then, in the most connden-
tal Whisper, as though it was treason, but still
must be spoken, 81 don't think we did half 50
we'll at home"
Ofcourse, father asked what this affair WAS to
be like. Like all the rest" said Will; "you 20
into big room crowded with people and blazing
with lights, and before you know It the girls seize
you IoS you, put you out, and lie in wait for the
next fellow" VIII always was too ready TO an
swer, so while his parents laughed his sisters
simply looked scorn at him. and Dora explained
with some dignity, all about It. The different ma
Of the earth" interrupted WILL A general
chorus Of "Oh, hush!" and Dora finally got .
Spanish and American girls would be there,
ready to furnish the food, fruits and flowers Of
their own land to all who might desire to buy
the last word aimed directly at Will. 'You see
We ean'twear our grandmothsrs' dresses forever
and ENJOY It," said pretty Bella. "But can
hungry man get anything to eat a. this place Of
yoursT asked father. VIII said, "No, unless
lemon.drops aud ice.cream would satisfy him. y
Everybody else shouted ayes; can testify that
several hungry men did get plenty to eat"
table, with Its notice ADORE, alter tcird DeutscA
gesproehen," where you could buy q supper that
was counterpart. Of what you would get in the
talked to by q vertable Deutschs madchen
The piquant demoiselles at the French table
seemed 70 be on the most friendly terms with
their German enemies, in spite Of the watch on
the Rhine, and all that. The placard above this
table, "Ict on parle FrdReGfs," and entirely
truthful, and in Annapolis society there were
plenty OF people who would have found 1t out If II
hadn't been.
Further on was the attractive table Of the
stately Spanish danes. At the naval school all
the midshipmen study Spanish as well as French,
and many officers Tand their families stationed
here Of course, speak II hueptly, so there was no
lack OF CONVERSATION In the tongue indicated By
the notice above. The Spanish style of dress
was most becoming, and right well did these
ladies represent the nation.
Over the American table, which occupied one
end Of the room, our Dag was draped and an
eagle perched above. Here, too, the dresses were
beautiful, and since 1t was allowed to 20 back 20
the days Of our greatgrandmothers some OF them
German table, or OF Tessa and Maria at the
Italian. At this table-the American-the real
substantial supper Of the evening was to be
bought, and there they did speak English, which
was q convenience to some. Several Of the young
girls wore red, white and blue for their colors,
and the matron who presided with stately dignity
over It all had reason TO be proud Of our national
success.
At the ltalisn end of the room was an arbor,
which, the matter Of fact Will whispered to me,
was contrived double debt to pay. It looked
very beautiful without, and within IL was q sort
of Withdrawing room for iee-cream freezers and
the like. Here you could buy oranges, ices,
grapes, jellies, confections and all things most
Italian, not forgetting the flowers. The sofs-eyed
almost girlish- looking matron who was at the
head found willing helpers in her bright Roman
and Neapolitan girls. If all the ladies at this
table did not speak the Italian tongue so huently
as might be, they looked as If they could, which
was great deal.
There was music by our Choral Society, which
added much to the pleasure Of the evening. There
was time to dance, and place for it. won
dsred If the gay, young people who enjoyed the
German that night remembered that the f8ther
of his eountry-and ours-had danced under that
very roof The festival was great success, II the
pleasure It gave TO the guests who crowded the
room could make IL so. The money that was taken
Is TO 60 towards providing shelter for the sick
and homeless poor; In fact It is hoped that It Will
be the beginning Of regularly established hospi-
tai. Even VIII, who in the face and eyes Of hls
slanderous words Of the morning enjoyed himself
in the most shameful manner, Is hoping that We
shall coon be hidden to another similar entertain
ment.
Truly yours ANITA