Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-23
/ MYSTIC SHRINE.
The Festive Homage Paid by a Secret
Order to a Comedy King.
FLORENCE DINED AFTER MIDNIGHT
At Banquet Board Exquisitely Attractive
to Several Senaes,
GOOD FOR THE INNER AND UTER MAN

Mr.. and Mrs. W. j. Florence were
rendered brilliant reception last night.
The,honors were done by the Mobiles Of the
Mystic Shrine, of which order Mr.. Florence
is the founder. About 100 members of the
Shrine gathered in the parlors of the Hotel
Duquesne at 7:30 with their wives. The
men put on their fezzes, or little red caps
with black tassels, and then the
whole party were driven to the
Opera House. A large block of seats
had been reserved for the ladies
and gentlemen. With this compliment In.
front of him, Mr.. Florence had some excuse
for his splendid representation Of "Our Gov
ernor." During the performance lovely
basket of flowers was sent up to Mrs. Flor
ence, the gift of the Pittsburg MOBILES"
THE BANQUET BEGAN LATE.
At IL o'clock the whole party returned to
the Hotel Duquesne. Mr.. and Mrs. Flor.
ence accompanied them. The rich banquet
hall was then a glittering scene. Proprie-
tor Witherow and his 'chef had fairly
excelled themselves. Covers had been
laid for 120. Huge bouquets were arranged
between the cakes and among the cut glass
and china tableware. In the center of the
tables stood bank Of flowers, three feet
square, on which were woven in flowers the
symbols of the order. The bank was in
tended to resemble shrine. 1t was made
of Harrissi lilies, roses, lilies of the valley
and maidenhair ferns. The badge
of the order is scimtar, which was
made of yellow narcissus; tiger-claws
of roses and violets; crescent of pinks; fez
Of red carnations and the tassel of blue hya-
cinths. It was said to be the finest piece
of work ever taken out Of Robert c. PatterA
sons store.
The whole floral work was presented to
Mr.. Florence at the close of the banquet.
1t was nearly midnight before the ladies'
were escorted to the tables. Many we'll
known people were observed in the pro-
cession from the parlors to the dining hall.
RIVALS MEET AS BROTHERS.
b. P. Ford. with his daughter, and
James S. Mexican and lady, were conspicu-
Gus because of the fact that they are the
rival candidates for postmaster in Pitts
burg. Chill Hazard, of Monongahela
City, and George B. Orlady, Esq. of Hunt
ingdon, were two prominent guests from .
distance. Among the Pittsburg gentlemen
with ladies were Major 7. j. Hudson, COL
onel Samuel Harper, Captain A. E. Hunt,
Thomas Phelps, Walter Lyon, Esq,
G. W. English, William Collingwood,
james N. Bebout, j. G. Blazier, A. n.
Voight and many others.
Mr.. Hudson was assigned the head of the
table, as master of ceremonies.
As TO all that occurred at the BANQUET
board-the numerous witty speeches in.
spired by that prince Of merry-makers, the
chiefly honored guest-it will be practically
impossible to publish details this mornings,
fnr he 1aaro 20 fIo ho,, I,II L. II
bolted and carefully guarded, so that, while
a reporter was still waiting at "A. M, there
seemed little prospect of his getting near,
enough to guests or members of the Mystic
Shrine to get hint of the jolly proceedings
inside.
FACTS FROM THE INSIDE
Patience had its reward in an interview
with Mr.. English, who at last came out and
stated that the presentation was about to
take place.
A few minutes later and the voice of Mr..
I. J. Hudson, the potentate, was heard
making few remarks about the order, in
which he disclaimed that the Mystic Shrine
had any connection with the Masons,
although everybody belonging to the order
is a Mason. He then called upon Mr.. G..
B. Orlady, of Huntingdon, who, after q
few choice and well-turned sentences, called
Mr.. Florence's attention to the beautiful
floral emblem behind him.
'As token of our sincerest regard and
the best wishes to yourself and your dear
lady, we present you with this" he said.
Mr.. Florence smilingly turned around
and looked upon the magnificent flowers;
then, rising, he responded In the following
manner:
MR.. FLoRENCE'S REPLY.
Brethren, Fellows and Ladies:
feel somewhat like the boy who was kept in
a constant fever of trepidation on one particu.
lar evening by his mother saying to him: Now,
Johnny you have been bad, and am going to
whip you in the morning. Well. the poor boy.
at last, so much harassed by this feeling. re-
piled to his mother: oh, please, ma, give it to
me right hereP
Well knew that would have to say some4
thing tonight, and wished that it had come
the whole last hour, and 1 now feel like the
Oriental donkey, who would like to bray but
his master had tied such big load to him that
he couldn't. mean by this, that have par.
taken of SO much of your delicacies that can
not say much.
But apart from all joking, let me tell you
much gratifed with the welcome you have
rendered US on this occasion.
PROUD OF THE ORDER.
1 feel happy at the result of my efforts in
bringing the order into this country. As look
over the whole country now, and take into my
minds eye the whole lot of brethren that be-
long to our order 1 feel Just like any other
father does about his sons, and 1 say: My
boys are the handsomest lot in the whole couns
try. There is no doubt of il"
1t is true we have no afiliation with the
Masons. because we do not want to belong to
these nasty Masons anyhow. ILaughter.1 Wa
do not refuse TO have our wives along with us,
and if we have any feelings corresponding
with those of the Turk in our ORDER must
say that there is not another nation, creed or
society that holds the woman in such high re-
gard as does the Turk.
Great applause followed Mr.. Florence's
speech. Then Mr.. Beabout sang q beauti-
Iul solo, and after this number of i'm
promptu speeches were made, which kept
good fellowship and conviviality at itS
climax until nearly 3 o'clock.