The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-22
THE FANCY BALL.
RIcHMOND'S FOUR HUNDRED
ARE READY FOR IT,
But the Bellies aud the Beaux Have """
a Hard Time to Keep Their Costumes
Concealed Tonight All secrets VIII be
Revealed.

a Hard Time To Keep iheii
Concealed Tonight All Secrets WIZ he
Revealed.
We read much in pocsy and see great
deal in pictured art about the ewes Oh great
events. The eve Of -. Agnes, New ! ear
eve. Christmas eve. the eve Oh the Dat'le'
Sc. are all done honor To as inc lore
runners Of glory sure 10 ioiloN. bul' aia7'
~ ,,,drn can claim no eulogistic consider
atom however much it may beam with the
frank broad-faced, open countenance OF
the herald. Its matter-Of-fact, clear
,yav Of announcing "A coming event
doesn't win il much notice, when
the halfconcealcd. c0quettish glances
of star-eyed eve wink through
a duakv veil at the lockers on. But this
latter enchantrcss shall not forever be the
successful riyal-fOr tonight is the great
fancy ball. and we bow with homage to TINS
the morn that will give IL birth. IL Is true
that there Is usually more FEELING tne hvih-
inc after the ball. than the morning pre-
yious TO such a festive occasion, out IL
can't be denied that this time OF eNpecta-
tiou wears the fresh rosy cneeks, WHICH
some times are wan and pale upon the lace
Of rcirospectiOn.
There Is not now time 10 diagnose the case
for This changed aspect springs from such
divers causes: too much champagne some
fines. and vet some times not enough; 100
many waltzes upon the floor, or too many
"sets- against the wall; little spun candy
upon a new dress coat. or a black footprint
in the middle Of a silken train, are generally
considered indigestible by good temper
oven. The pleasant recOllectiOns Of some
balls are hazv from too constant 0ccupa-
tion of the smoke stack Of the dressing-room,
where cigarettes keep the blase fires OF
cnnui family aglOw and stain the reputation
for eallantry as we'll rs the first and middle
fingers OF the beaux.
To-day the members Of RichmOnd's " four
hundred - are almost recognizable by the
mysterious air they wear. Not the most
skilled and trained expression, one that
looks upon the greedy fullncss Of the Jack
not" with an inane cOunienance "bOin enid
ike and bland" though three aces and a
pair are squeezed in the hand, can blum
about secret. One may be dscreetly,
deeply silent, yet he looks that triumphant,
mysterious look of II know something you
don't know. and ! am not going 10 tell you,
either Young bankers, yOungish lawyers
aud old bachelors. sweet debutantes, gay,
IDLE butterflies Of fashion I'm a wide compass
ofaees are wearing this same look as badge
Of one bent Of mind to-day, and tonight,
resplondent. dazzling. radiant and rare VIII
witness at the Belyidere Hall the out
come ofthcse suggestive facial expressions.
II will undoubtedly De one Of the most
Gorgeous scenes Of the festive season. Many
strangers have come from the distance 10
trip the light fantastic in some disguised
identity. Governor and Mrs. Mckinney
will dignity and add prestige 10 the event
bv their attendance, and the patronesses,
Mrs. Philip llaxall, Mrs. Clement 4. Me
Phaf. Mrs. William Royal, Mrs Willie
Allen. Mrs. Perciyal Grant. Mrs. 4. Is.
Camm. Mrs. Charles Evelyn Smith, Mrs. J..
+. ID. Myers. Jr., Mrs. Levin Joynes- Mrs.
Otway $. Allen will insure the success of
the ball. The floor committee will be Colo
mel 10 Lane Stern, John Mallory, Dudley
Mcdonald, Beime Blair, William Palmer.
Edward Hanewinckel and Willie Ferguson.