Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-17
THE VANDERBILT BALL.
A Journal Which sneers at Mon
eyed AristOcraey Reports the
Grand Revel
In IFS own Democratic Way
some Peculiar Features.


joined in merry revelry until the
morning hours were speeding, Such
magnihcence was never seen before in
republican Ameriea, aud those guests
who we're familiar with the courts OF
monarchs had to admitthat indeed 1t
laid over" the levees of modern or
ancient kings. Where in Europe
could such galaxy Of beauty be seen,
or such brave, handsome men? TIE
princely reception rendered the guests
ut the palace where the broWnstOnes
are would have made the Gar Of all
the Russias turn green with envy had
ke been invited. There were many
present who fully Endorsed Mr.. Van.
derbilt's proud assertion that il
WOULD PROVE A "sNoRTER."
There is an undefnable force about
that word which it is difficult to trans
late, but it vas great night in q great
house for a thousand lucky mortals.
At ten o'clock a crowd, composed Of
men, women and bootblacks, gathered
on the sidewalk in front Of the Van
derbilt mansion. From q window on
the second story William watched the
throng Two lanterns OF the kind
which are used by hackmen and q
locomotive headlight cast a siekly
glare over the scene. A red carpet,
which looked as il it had seen service
on one OF the old.fashioned New YORK
Central railroad cars, covered the
steps Of the mansion and ran down to
the curbstone Of the sidewalk.
The first carriage which was driven
up to the entrance contained a gentle>
man with long muslAohe and the
general appearance Of a cowboy at
tired in the height Of fashion. On the
bosom OF his ruffled shirt front glis-
tened huge diamond; a massive gold
chain dAngled from his vest.
"HoW much Is it to 70 in? be asked
policeman as he thrust his head out
Of the coach window.
Have you got an iuvitation?" the
policeman inquired sruffly.
mo, amt, but | kinder think
THAT SENATOR TABOR
10 able 10 plank down IS much coin
for a ticket as any duck that's goiu in
here tonight" said the occupant Of
the coach loudly.
The words must have been heard by
the man who stood with his nose fat.
tened against the pane Of window on
the second story Of the Vanderbilt
mansion. The window was opened
hastily and head thrust out. The
man wore vermillion. colored side,
whiskerI, and was blessed with a
mouth Of caVernOus width and .depth
Let i'm inl' be exclaimed shrill )
Didn't tell you not to turn any one
away It's gettin' mighty lonesome W
here. !"
| The gentleman with the ruffled shirt
front STRIDE hsughtily up the carpeted
steps.
The next arrival which excited tn,
interest Of the crowd on the sidewalk
was that Of q party Of -four mysterious
looking men Attired in the regulation
evening dress. They stood a few
minutes on the carpet and gazed
sharply, if not 6erccly, at the faces OIL
the spectators.
They're detectives" a policeman
whispered to arepOrier. That dandy
looking fellow is Detective Rogers, and
| think he's wearing Superintendent
Wallings swallow tail, for it's about
two sizes two big for him. The fat
man Is Detective Dolan. aud the
two others are Heidelburg AID Ian
their"
The detectives we're present to guard
the jewels OF the guests and Dir. Van.
derbilts knives snd forks. They had
not been 10 the ball room more tlan
ten minutes before their mysteriou.
movements and inquisitiVe elsnees
reno cred them objects Of general sus.
piclon. They in turn, as they saw this
guest and that edge away, began "a
think that there was something wroDg
going on and gazed about she room
more 6ercsly than before. The con,
sequence was that
AFIELING OF UNEAsINEss
pervaded the assemblage. The gen
tlemap with the big diamond and ruff
lied shirt-front gave unmistakable ev-
idence Of nervousness that the deteo-
tiveskept close watch on his move
ments.
BY II o'clock the street in front Of
Mr.. Vanderbilt's modest little home
was crowded with spectators, and il
was with difficulty that the police
forced apasssge way for the coaches
Of the guests. The crowd remained
uatil after midnight, and commented
on the appearance Of each arrival.
Dudish young men were guyed, and
fair women were saluted with expires
sions Of admiration. When a short
smooth faced man. with a cluster dia.
mond pin and benevolent features
jumped out Of coach, a boot black
shouted:
There goes Harry Hill"
"Shl' exclaimed the smooth faced
gentleman. Ssh you'll ave me
name 10 the blAwsted papers"
One Of the interested spectators was
a little man with dark, piercing eyes
and black beard. He stood on The
sidewalk across the way from Wander
bilt's residence for over an hour.
Whist do you think tit, Jsy2" the
little mans companion said TO him.
THE worst ever saw. I'd give 4
" bill II the old Commodore could
walk in there and see his William
now"
DIDN'T CARS FOR THE CENT.
| A little incident marred the other,
wise pleasant reception Of guests. A
very rich gentleman, who was partio-
ularly well received by the hostess
had the misfortune to drop q coin a.
he bent low before the Lady Wander,
bilt. The procession behind was de,
leyed while the guest went down OF
the floor to find his money. aWb,
don't you help him, Billy, instead o
standing there like an image2" sale
another guest. Other persons ioinet
in the search, and at last the recreanI
coin was found under a sofa. 1t proved
70 be Of the smallest denomination
The happy owner remarked: 81 didn'
care for the cent, bat did want Il
know where il went"
"All the world is here tonight.
whispered harness.oil millionaire /,
his partner, q beautiful blonde, as tn,
band struck up Sweet Yiolets,
which was disguised on the orders a
"Violettes." And although he spok,
dgu1atively, yet he spoke truly, ever,
quarter Of the world being representa-;
except China and a few antipods
countries. The floor had been oleare,
for dancing, aud every man who wish
ed TO indulge in the terpsichoreal
revels had been provided with fai
partner. What q gay scene il pre-
seated-Well worth crossing q countr