St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-13

That the officer who appeared at the
ball wearing buckskin gloves was
dressed all over, if not in full dress.
THE EVENT OF THE SEASON.
The Scene at the Capitol Wednes-
day Evening, Who We're There
and What They Wore.
Society had but single thought last
week-the inaugural ball. 1t has been
the practice of governors hereto
fore to give, some time during
the session of the legislature, a
reception to the members; but it re-
manned for Gov. and Mrs. Merriam to
institute as social feature of the adj
miniStration of state affairs the Inau-
gural ball. 1t was a mammoth under
taking. and prOportionate success.
Four thousand invitations were origin
ally issued. These were supplemented
by 5000, and for week before the ball
the governors secretary was kept busy
issuing additional cards of admittance.
On "Wednesday evening the capitol was
a blaze of light from dome to basement.
On the first floor the rear aud right and
left Wings of the main corridor were
screened from the entrance by artistic
draperieS of historic flags. Against
this screen a stand, hung with national
colorS, was occupied by Seibert'S OrcheS-
ira during the hours of reception. Pine
trees filled the corners of the broad
corridor on the second floor, and ropes
of green decorated the chandeliers.
Both the senate and the house were
hung with national colorS gracefully in
termiXed with evergreens, and the white
canvased floors furnished an effective
groundwork for the figures i'll gala at
tire that lightly tripped the measures of
the dance upon them. The supper Ia
hles were spread in the screened por-
ton of the lower hall and were beauti-
fully trimmed with set pieces, into
which were wrought the rarest flowers
of the season.
By s O'Clock the crowd began to hint
of its ultimate proportions, and before
that time the receiving party was M tx
ing merry i'll the governors room.
Here also were charms of the florists art
displayed. From the doorway leading
Into the antechamber ropes of green
were gracefully festooned, and from
the center hung bunch of white lilies.
The memorial window in the antecham-
Der was supplemented with bouquets of
~
in the governors room, to the right and
back of the receiving party, was table
covered with lunches of Marechal Mel
roses, carnations, JacQuemlnot roses
banked about the center piece, a
cornut opia filled with roses, lilies of
the valley and hyacinths. The chande-
Tiers were hung with smilaX, and the
windows had been supplied with
artistic draperies for the occasion. The
receiving party, however, was chief
among the many charms. To the left
of Gov. Merriam, who was in conven-
tional evening dress. wearing bouton-
Mere of lilies of the valley. stood
Col. Bend in full military uniform,
whose duty it was to announce the
names of the guests to the governor.
Each guest was received With cordial
grasp of the hand by the governor and
his wife. who stood at his right. Mrs.
Merriam was assisted by the following
ladies, who wore as badge a small
bunch of her favontc floWer-viOl, It's :;
Mesdames f. B. Clarke, f. |. Frost, l..
r. Hare, of Folt Riley: Thomas Lowry.
of Minneapolis; E. A. Young, G. E.
Flandrau, Sessions. j. B. TarboX,
Misses Cook and Wilder. The commit
tee of arrangements had not planned
that Gen. Sibley should greet the ladies
of the receiving party with kiss. but
this omission did not hinder him from
doing SO. The popular young society
man who. with a flourish, announced
his determination to follow the gener-
ais example, retired in quick order, a
disappointed mortal, convinced that
gray hair has its compensatiOns.
More lavish dressing has seldom if
ever been INDUCED in by st. Paul ladies.
The members of the receiving party
Wed with one another to attire them
selves to the glory of the occasion. Mrs.
Merriam's Queenly grace was never
more becomingly set. Her gown was
white satin, en- traine, with drapery of
point ducneSSe lace, caught at the left
side by a garniture of chartreuSe and
apple-green velvet ribbons and green
and gold moss. She wore her hair
dressed high. aid mixed with her cOro-
net of golden braids was an ornament of
the green and gold moss, fastened with
a gold pin containing three immense
diamonds. From her necklace of pearls
was suspended diamond pendant.and.
with diamond eardrops her ornaments
were complete. She carried two large
bouquets, one of Puritan rose buds, the
other rare bunch of Puritan buds, yio-
IcUS anu lilies Oh Uue NdlIHN.
Mrs. F. 3. Clarke. at Mrs. Merriam s
right, was dressed in an imported gown
of white satin made in the Empire
Russian sable and gold lace. A band of
sable put on in Van Dykes, with gold
lace, trimmed the bottom of the skirt
and edged the short pulled sleeves and
decolIete corsage. The sash was
spangled at the ends with gold and
finished with white and gold spikes.
Her ornaments were necklace of
pearls, fastened with clasp containing
magnificent diamonds, large pendant
of pearls and diamonds, diamond and
pearl earrings and diamond pins worn
in her headdress of point lace and
velvet.
Mrs. E. |. Frost was charming in a
dainty gown of white satin yelled with
tulle, caught up with punches of pink
roses. Her hair was dressed with
flowers, and her ornaments were dia-
mond necklace and diamond earrings
She carried an exquisite bouquet of La
France roses and hyacinthS tied with
pink ribbon.
Mrs. Thomas Lowry wore a Partisan
gown that was superb production of
French art. 1t was the white satin en-
broidered with gold, and combined with
mousse green velvet in the style of the
empire. Her jewels consisted of dia-
mond necklace, with pendant of pearls
and diamonds, eardrops and comb of
diamonds.
Miss Cookies brunette charms were
SET off by a gown of deep cream MORE
antique with draperies Of Chantilly
lace. The decollete corsage was fin-
ished around the neck with wreath of
purple pansies, and she wore the same
flower in her hair.
Mrs. l.. X. Hare, of Fort Riley. sister
of Mrs. Merriam. wore a handsome
trained costume of white brOcaded vel
set, the front of the petticoat shrouded