Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-05-03
STOKES PARTY.


ton for the Lo,Uer Strata of Society.
Mr.. Edward s. Stokes gave ladies'
reception at his barroom in the Hoffman
house from 9 o'clock, April q, until in
the afternoon. About 1000 invitations
had been sent out and nearly thousand
women, with asprinkling of fashionably
dressed men, were present.
The Hoffman house barroom, which is
very large, was artistically lighted, and
the air perfumed by silver cologne fount-
aims and profuslon of flowers. Behind
an immense mass of ferns and
palms was an orchestra playing
Strauss waltzes softly to an accompani-
ment of the occasional clink of glasses
on the bar, and the hum Of hundreds of
whispered voices as the guests moved
about the room. The high gliding and
rich coloring of the decorations are toned
down by the color of the heavy Turkish
and Persian rugs, and the effect of the
whole interior, with its striking profusion
of marble and bronze statuary, oil paint
ings, and articles of vlrtu, is warm and
luxurious.
The guests began to arrive in consider
able numbers at $50. Only few
had male escorts. Early corners exhibited
some tlmldity, but it was overcome after
they had passed through the decorated
corridors into the gorgeous bar-room. In
many cases parties of half dozen were
together, and no woman appeared to have
come alone. 1t was well dressed
throng, with here and there an ultra
fashionable toilet or striking face. AT
rare intervals an actress or public adj
yocate of woman suffrage was to be seen
Those women who were in any way
known were stared at by the other
women with unmerciful persistence
Several brokers and number of the
men who are seen on Broadway in the
afternoon lounged about, dressed with
great care, and exhibiting much gravity
| of demeanor.
The most famous of all the works Of
art in the bar-room is BOugdereau'S
ssNymphs and Satyrs," which Mr.. Stokes
recently purchased for 10000. 1t stands
directly IN front of the bar. The three
female figures are life-size, and are
brought out by q strong headlight
Nearly all the guests passed the paint
| ing with a hurried glance, the few who
| looked more closely fingered but a
short time. The other study in the nude
which adorns the bar-room is "Faust's
Dream" 1t received no attention what
ever, and the bronze statute, "Pan and a
Bacchante," was unnoticed. Many of
the women were delighted at the bits OF
bric-a- brac, vases, and antique clocks,
and expressed in low voices their admira-
ton of the elaborate mahogany carvings
and decorations of the bar.
Once, when the plush doors swung
back and man sauntered cody IN, there
was ripple of excitement and craning
of necks. He was dressed with elaborate
care, in the hight of fashion, and walked
with a graceful, well-bred carriage
among the guests, bowling and smiling
| to acquaintance, and seeming not
to notice the sensation he
created. His close-cropped hair
was quite gray, but his face bore no trace
of trouble, and he seemed to be in excel
lent spirits. When he stopped for a
moment to chat with quietly dressed
actress from Wallack's there was a
crush among the women about him for
glance at his face. He went on pres
entity, and the women parted reluctantly
to allow him to pass. He went out into
the corridor, and the doors slammed
after him. 1t was Mr.. Edward S.
Stokes.