Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-01-05
Character Party.

The character party given by the
ladies of the Episcopal church last
Thursday evening was great success.
The entertainment was held at the
rink which had been fitted up in a
picturesque style for the occasion. Sup
per was served from five to seven aud,
as was remarked by gentleman while
partaking of it, They gave fifty cent
supper for fifteen cents" The tables
were crowded the entire two hours.
On either side of the room were booths
where refreshments were served
throughout the evening. The French
cafe extended half the length of one
| side, and was draped with the national
flag. This was presided over by Misses
Alice Edwards, Mabel Bushnell, Clara
Rhodes, Sue Thomas and Emma Bud
worth in costume, dispensing coffee,
cake and homemade candy. Opposite
was the Icelandic booth. all in white
and glittering icicle pendants. Misses
Nettie Oswald. Linda Rhodes, Eta
Hannum, Nette Woolstenholme and
Miss Woodward in costumes of white
dispensed cake and ice cream. A
space next to this booth was occupied
by Miss Bess Calls IN poke bonnet and
street corner costume, selling fresh
roasted peanuts. Harry Barnett dis
coursed enticing music on an accordian
by her side. Beyond this center of at
traction was the Dutch booth, where
Misses Carrie Nathan, Lena Oswald,
Beth Muesse and Emma Colenburg sold
pretzels bologna, dutch cheese and
foaming buttermilk. Here no word of
English was spoken. Miss Colenbu rg's
fluent conversation was irresistible and
few left the booth without a pretzel to
MUNICH. The Gypsy Camp occupied
the corner next the stage. The tent
was occupied by Miss Name Barnett
the fortune-teller, Mrs. T. f. Orion and
Ralph Barnett in Gypsy costumes. The
surroundings were complete. A kettle
hung suspended on cross sticks, a
clothes line held the family washing,
and reposing comfortably on a pile of
hay was mother dog and her numer-
Gus family that seemed to enjoy the
admiration bestowed upon them. while
they partook of their own peculiar re-
freshments There were also wander
ing minstrels who filled the air with
their music. These were discovered to
be Miss Laura Cover and Arthur Knapp.
But the gentle Minstrel soon turned into
the sullen lead of the dancing bear,
who under his shaggy coat could, only
by his graceful motions, be recognized
as ''Doc" Rhodes.
Vocal music was furnished by a
chorus of colored minstrels composed
of Charlie Wright, Arthur ones. Earl
Ivey, Johnnie Orion, Harrie Govier,
Harrie Orion, Louis Curry and Gene
Starr. They had been trained by Miss
Ellen Woolstenholme, and Miss Mollie
Clifford accompanied them on the organ.
BY special request tho minstrel bear
leader again changed his character and
danced clog that was received with
such enthusiasm that Mamie Carmody
who acted as collector, raked in
whole hat full of nickels. When the
musical entertainment was over and
the different refreshments had received
ample attention. procession was
formed of those who had taken part
en- costume and grand march was
made several times around the hall.
At the close of the march Mr.. Lowry
called attention to the fact that hav-
ing a good floor, good music and a
good crowd there was no reason why
they should not all have good
dance. Tickets for which could be
purchased for twenty-five cents. The
musicians were Messrs. Clark, Hyde
and Howdle. Mr.. Joe Nathan's
violin inspired feet long quiet to what
the extremely orthodox might call
"pernicious activity" The proceeds
to nearly $50.