, 1885-02-21
THE May DANCE.


"There WAS a sound Of revelry by night"
Last Tuesday night, we mean, and
such q sound never before fiOated out
and over the heads Of a larger con-
course Of merry makers in eastern
Washington than was assembled be-
tween the four walls Of the mann
moth building known as the Casino
skating rink. The occasion was the
benefit ball given under the super
vision Of the Spokane Falls fire de-
partment, and the turnout showed
how high that excellent branch Of
the pJbllc service Is held In the esti-
nation OF the public. There was not
a single member Of the organization
present who did not look out upon
the vast multitude with Frightening
eye and feel proud Of the grand sue
cess that had awarded the efforts Of
the department, and a gratitude
toward the public for their liberal
patronage Of an Institution which
they In the future, as In the past,
will endeavor TO make credit to the
city and a pride to its people. On
every hand the warmest congratula-
tlOns are repeated upon the admir-
able manner in which the ball wns
managed, and for the spirit shown
by the boys in preparing for the
event. The ball had been heralded
for several weeks prior to the date Of
Its cOnsummation, and everybody
who attend parties had made their
arrangements to be present and take
part in the festivities. The hall had
been most elabOntely decorated for
the occasion. A large force of fire.
men were engaged several days pre-
pairing the trimmings, and were
aided In the good work by a number
Of our business men, who contributed
flags, lanterns and other material for
decorative purposes. The interior Of
the building presented a beautiful
appearance. FestOOns Of evergFeens
were loOped from the center to the
sides Of the building, mingled in
with long Stringers Of red, white and
blue cloth. A multitude of small
flags hid the bare walls, and strings
Of Chinese lanterns added their vari-
egated cOlors to the display. Two
large flags were dropped over the
south end Of the building, fianksd on
each side by fire-ladders, a section Of
hose stretching from one ladder to
the other, while In the center were
two play pipes crossed with speak
ing trumpets above and below. On
the east side, In evergreen letters,
were the words Spokane No. 2"
and on the west side" e"Rescue No. l."
At the front In large letters made Of
the same material were the words
Success to the Spokane Falls Fire
Department" In the center of the
hall, suspended above the heads OF
the dancers, was a handsome bell,
made by Mrs. Gordon and Miss'Sea-
man, with the placard underneath,
"What we need" Altogether the
decorations were the handsomest we
have ever seen in q ballroom. The
various committees did their work
well, and that on arrangements is de-
serving Of special mention. Every
care was taken for the accommOda-
tion and pleasure Of the participants.
At the door Mr.. Simpson and Mr..
Summers took up position direct
ing ladies and gentlemen to the
cloak rooms, while every individual
member Of the department made 1t
a point to see that every want Of
their many patrons was supplied.
The stand for the band vas placed
on the east side Of the hall, and as
many chairs US could be crowded in
the space for the accommodation Of
the '1Ookers on in Vienna" had been
secured. Notwithstanding all pre-
cautlonary measures, the crowd WIS
30 great that 1t was simply impOssi-
hle to furnish skating room for all.
In the gallery, at the north end Of
The room, the boys had provided sew
eral tables that were occupied the |
entire evening by those who found
more pleasure In whist than on the |
ball room floor. Looking In upon |
The ball at II O'Clock, the scene pre- |
,ented was one not soon to be for
gotten. The large room was brill
iantly Illuminated by numerous
chandeliers and side lamps, showing |
IR the decorations to the best advan-
age, the sides and ends Of the build
ing we occupied by those who were
here to see and not to dance, while |
he floor was a moving mass OF hU-
the bright dresses Of tine la i
lies set of by the more sombre uni
lOrms Of their male escorts, and as
he crowd mingled together In the
multltudinOus figures Of the square
lance the Jnusformations formed
we're like unto the intermlnable
'hanges Of 4 kaleidoscope. The mu-
Iic was furnished by the famous
JOeur d. Alene regular army baud,
which is simple saying that 1t could
lot be well improved upon.
With beautiful night, an elegant
all room, gentlemahly and perfect
with everybody exert
ng themselves to be pleasant, there
nothing surprising about the fact
hat all present enjoyed themselves
s they never enjoyed themselves
'efore. By long odds II was the best
onducted and most largely attended
Iublic dance ever given In eastern
Washington, and It will be ever
ointed to as a pattern for future eff
Orts Of the kind. Not only were