Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-01-01
MUSIC, MIRTH AND MYSTERY.
A Brilliant Gathering at Bigelow's
Hall.
A Chronicle of the Costumes and Com
mcntS on the Characters.
BY ONE WHO WAS THERE.

The announcement made a month
ago that a masquerade ball would
take place on New Years Eve under
the auspices of the Eureka SociaI
Club, created quite a sensation among
ball goers. The delightful parties
that the gentlemen composing thai
club had already given was a guaran.
tee hat the bal masque would be a
recherche affair. Since hat time the
IN great aud absorbing question has
been, what shall we wear? Ii was a
subject that agiiated many house.
holds and racked the brains of the
young men about town. That a con-
clusion was finally reached was evil
dem from the brilliant scene that was
presented at Bigelow's Hall last even
ing. The managers, Me>srs. Foley.
Read and Mills, had made every pre-
paratlon for the event, looking to the
comfort and enjoyment of their
guests, and all who were present last
night will agree that they were emf.
nently successful. The taste dis
played in the decoration and arrange
ment of the hall was universally re
marked and commended. A white
canvas, specially prepared for the oc
casion, covered the floor, and
its clean surface etfectually prevented
the rich costumes from becoming
soiled. The walls and ceilings were
tastefully draped with flags and
hung with pictures. The stage had
been entirely remodeled, the lei
ana wings removed, and a series of
raised chairs placed in position for the
benefit of spectators. Their situation
commanded a full view OF the floor.
and at the same time removed them
out OF ths way of the merry maskers.
a large pendant chandelier, hung from
the center of the room, specially con
structed FOR the occasion, aud this. with
the addition of numerous other side
aud hanging lights. shed n bright lus
ire over the hail. The general effect.
after the floor became thronged with
those In costume, VAS both novel and
enchanting.
Turning from mere details tothe sub.
lect IN hand, we may aptly qaoe
Byron and note
That there were dresses splendid, but fan
t~astical:
Masks of all times, Turks and Jews,
And harleq ms and clowns, with feats gym
Greeks. Romans, Yankee DoodIes and Hin
docs,
With a mingling of the grotesque and
the beautiful. the comely and the odd,
the 0utre and the refined. Knights
and crusaders josfled har!equinS and
eln4HttN Pa rtrfa 4, ...s,.t. n.,sg a. H.. l..
~terchaneed gibes with plebeian ne.
groes. Flower girls ilirted with quak
ers. and stately danes, clad in mag
niticent robes. whified in the may
dance with partners whose tout enSem
Ole bespoke the old clio" dealer. 1t
was a Kaleidoscope ever-changing
spectacle, and The gorgeous robes, The
spangled aud tinsel ornaments, the
glittering gems and the quaint and
many-husd draperies OF the
aders formed a living prismatic pic
ture, that from its picturesqueuess and
q~uaintness, charmed and delighted The
behoiders.
Az . O'Clock, promptly, the mu
siclans struck mp the grand marcn;
the reveiers fell into place aud made
the circuit Of the room, keeping time
To the nIelodious strains evolved by
an excellent combination OF musical
artists under the leadership OF Frank
heigelhuth. AT the conclusion OF the
circuit, dancing was in order and all
procseded To enjoy themselves to their
lnii oeht. surely the material for un.
limited pleasure was at their com
mand. Music, mirth and mystery
combined for the occasion. 0ppor
tunities Tor hirting were plenty:
chances 70 whisper sweet words into
Wiling ears We're improved; sparkling
repartee and merry jssts We're heard
on every side, aud spirited badinare
was INDUCED in at VIII. Add to this
the seductive rhythm of the intoxi.
eating waltz. the sprightly melody of
quadrilie+alIslc The exhilaratjnp effects
of the DISCUSSES and incognitos. ami
we have aggregation of happy ele.
meut~.
For full three hours the JOYOUS as
semblage swayed to and iro in merry
motion, their thinking fees Keeping
time to the harmony and their light
hearts beating IN unison. When the
moment arrived for unmasking there
was the usual amount OF surprise.
solving of mysteries, and a general
Interchange of compliments in refer
ence TO etfectual DISCUSSES and puZzllng
masks. We doubt whether any city
could rival u fair ladies IN richuess
and elegance of costumes, and some of
them wore marvels of taste and beauty.
The characters assumed were well sus-
tanned, and in several eases the aching
and parts taken would have one
credit to a finished comedian. we
have hardly done justice to the ball.
but our limited space warns sto finish
the prelude. We have e~ndeavored, IN
the list that follows, to give the names
and characters assumed of all that
were present, and believe that 1t is
complete:
THE LADIES.
Mrs. II. Stowell, Gypsy Fortune
Teller; her predictions were favorable
to all. As a charming gypsy she was
a success.
Mrs. j. c. Powell, Pink Domino.
Mrs. IL. Bishop. Old Lady, and her
knitting; she acted the old lady splen-
didly.
Mrs. A. D.. Haskell, Flower Girl;
this was one of the most charming
costumes of the evening. Mrs. Has