The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-18
,s,eclsl sentinel Letter.

Especial Sentinel Letter.
CHICAGO, Jan. H.-Ghicsgo is all svhirl
with eayety. Last night there were clouds
stvixt IN and the stars, but none to dim the
rofulgsncs Of the brilliancy Of the grand
'scharity ball" which was given in the srm-
oriss Of the Flint Regiment cavalry and
Battery d, /. N. g. Charity shsuld always
BEGIN 1t home. and 30 the leading ladies of
the city, under the direction of Mrs. George
L. Dunlap, inaugursted the first OF
hoped-to be series OF like OCCASIONS sim
liar to the famous charity balls given
annually ut the Academy OF Music in New
York. The managers Of the affair are lead
ing society ladies, and among the gentlemen
We noticed the names OF prominent business
men, who lent their assistance TO the furth-
erance OF % good an object.
Single tickets were S.; one admitting q
LADY and gentleman WA only $40. But that
included every other usual charge, and then
the s.ball' was gotten up for the benefit of
the st. Luke's Hospital and the Illinois
Training School fox Nurses, and every body
knew that tbs price was placed high enough
TO realize . good profit:
For DAYS the most elaborate preparations
have been going on. The thump and buzz
and click Of the mechanical manipulstions
have been heard from morn to night. The
cavalry officers took charge OF the whole
work, and the result Was . brilliantly mag
ni6cent scene.
Far along the lake front, out upon the
water, over 70 the south and west and north
the reflection Of an unusual light glimmered
aid shaded. The streets and avenues leading
to the armories were folly lighted. The
Rush street steamer drsw-bridge had all of
its complement Of electric lights ablaze.
Aaisaent to the srmory the avenue was
bright - day with electric and calcium
4amplngs. An awning was stretched over q
carpeted pavement in front of the long
building and from the sidewalk to the
swingina entrance. and this was lighted by
AZ the door swung in, q vista of Gags
caught the eye and not . vestge of wall
could be seen. Men In blue and white gloves
and great brass buttons over the swelling.
bosomed coats were passing hither and
thither. Cavslrymen were guarding the
fair and the affair in all parts of the build.
numerous, but mostly incog. in civilian
dress.
ELECTRICITY rLLUxKD THE WAY
from street to entrance. from entrance to O
sort of vsstibule, and from there into the
Arrangements were replsse in thsir CON-
pletsness. The air was mellow and warm.
but the CRATES fall OF glowing
anthracite in the dressing rooms seemed
to extend warmer welcome than
the lengthening pipes of steam suggested:
The great armory was 30 decorated that the
drowned rotunda The bending canopy OF
bright hued bunting the hundreds of flags
and starry standards that were hung from
the rafter and roof, the fantastic Japanese
decorations encircled by Chinese lanterns,
the shimmering of silken banners bearing
Subscriptions OF military import, all foatsd
In wave like proportions over sandy col.
Ored floor, while over and amidst il
all there poured Q brillianoy too bright
for sunlight too white fox daytime, .,
xhe burning wires reflected through the
roseate globes. and thousand tiny famel
and taper tips shot their rays from from
fanc;ful devices.
At the right and left OF the entrance there
were sixteen boxes built out from the wall
and hung with baize, bunting and Turkish
owner who had been the successful bidder al
their sale at auction on Monday afternoon.
The sixteen brought . premium Of
$1,000, the highest bidder being j. T. Lester
who paid $500, and the lowest were Henry
Irving. the actor, and five others who g.
cured their boxes for SIS each.
Mrs. G. L. Dunlap was rendered bsauti-
folly arranged compartment by the manage
Dent Of the ball, in recognition OF her Ell
cientwork in the interest of the enterprise and
occupied 1t with her friends As passed
the portals Of the inner entrance TO the hal
abe east end, back of the orchestrs platform
there cleaned the silver stars OF retreatine
night, and tightening bars of crimson gains
lighter ground stretched from q semicirclt
OF dark of the great beams above and 20 ths
caves ut the sides, aslant, ali made up oil
lisgsand baize and bunting. And as tn,
ball Is hoped to be she opening OF an annus
occasion of like interest, and the proceed
are to bring q new dawn to the prosperity
OF worthy objects, % We found the emblem
ATTIC word Chart" inscribed ACROSS the rsdi
ating face In letters of gold. At the right
center omineus Geld pieces pointed "a til,
right and left, and facing them was g Cat
ling gun, and over them glistsded bsyonsteS
muskets and glsam of Gags Representing
every military division quartsrsd in III,
city.
elevated door was covered with crimsoI
hsixe.
sucH WAS THE SCENE
nb0ve-sround; bat, when the bugle corps o
the First Cavalry sounded the assembly cal
ut - O'Clock, and the members Of the orchez
ira fifty strong. took their places upon .h,
dreds of merry feet measured the tunefu
3ine, and handsoms men in evening
dre8, and 9saDy. shimmerinE silksl
costumes Of the ladies. the sparkle OF gsml
and scintill&tion Of jewels the sniles o
beautiful facss and hu.h of happy excite
tcont VII wexv eoovos snon thc Sccuo NC
came . shifting. pndulsting. indsscrihsbl,
living panorama. Like the rays Of bssu
tifui sunset, one can attempt their por
trayal, but the wonderful blending of lif
and color bacies the artist's:pen or pencil
.Nors than :, go were On the fsor Of one
some Of the time.
More than $4,000 was rsslhna. The ex
penses will not exceed S.. 900. Elk,ns, III
man who makes 60 many people gastronoua
ically happy. Was the caterer for the occa
sion. supper was served continuousl,
through the night, and was laid in the srmor1
OF Battery u. The arrangements wsr
unique. The foor presented the appearance
of huge grassy lawn, laid ou4 into plots an,
walks and winding paths. Within the pl OF
were real trees, and tropical plants an,
1oiiaged shrubbery, while around the edg
OF tae lawn we're eight fancy tents, lsrg
enough to spread q table around vhic
twenty could be seated.