The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-11-27
The Undine Hose Co. Ball.

The 18th annual ball of Undne Hose
Company on Thanksgiving Eve was prob
ably the largest gathering for dancing pur-
poses ever seen in this city. The Rink will
hold comfortably-and provide dancing
space for large proportion of those pres
ent-in the neighbOrhood of 1000 people
There were not far from that number pres
ent on Wednesday evening There were
by actual count 60 SEES dancing at one time
-240 couples and there seemed as many
more in the spaces set apart for spectators
person would call very mixed" Pretty
much all the dancing members of society
so called, in the city were there, as we'll as
lads and lassies" from the workshops of
the city-everybody, in fact, and the even.
ing was none the less enjoyable on that &C
count. All circles were mingled for once
in one apparently homogeneous mass of
happy humanity, each individual of whom
seemed bent on having good time, and
had 1t.
The evening was opened by an address
of welcome by Mayor Allen. followed by
a marching drill by the Company This
was unexpected and general surprise.
Many novel movements were made; and
the boys showed an exactness of drill and
perfection of movement that would have
done credit to thoroughly drilled body of
militia, the more surprising because the
boys had not been thought of as experts in
that line of work. 1t should be the more
gratifying, however, to the public because
1t shows an esprit de corps, thoroughness
of organization and pride of member
ship that places the fire department of the
city at the head of the various departments
of the city; and emembering that all this
is the work of an entirely Voluntary corps
of men who get no pay for their services
except the mere pittance of few cents
per hour Of actual work at fire, the city
of Ottawa can take genuine pride in its
Firemen that is based on merit and not on
unfounded local "bluster." The immense
attendance was in a measure testimonial
of the appreciation of the Company by
the public; but we are certain that this
feeling of friendship for them merged it.
self into a deeper feeling of respect land
selfish one, may be, of security in the
minds of all present.
The drill over, the dancing began. Will
lis was in his element. His orchestra had
been enlarged by several pieces, and the
music was therefore of the best. An i'm
mense canvass tightly stretched over the
floor made superb dancing room as COM
Portable as a canvassed parlor and as noise
less, and great as was the throng there was
for once an abundance Of dancing room.
And it was enjoyed not only programme
of 81 numbers being conscientiously com
pleted, but the cries for 'more more!"
were responded to by number of extra
watzes Sci so it was about the pleasant
hour of A. NJ. before the jewellers dis
persed, and even then reluctantly, for the
evening had been as pleasant as private
party in rich mans paIlors and as orderly
and as dignifed.
The Company are to be congratulated
indeed congratulations have been fairly
showered upon them the past two day; and
their 18th annual will be remembered as
the great event of the season-the biggest
and finest ball ever given in Ottawa-until
their 14th shall eclipse it!