Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-26

There are generally from three to SIX Of
thsse balls every winter IN the metropolis.
The fact that wine selling after l a. m is
nc~ prevented by the police cast something
OF damper upon the projectors this year
but IL is probable that they decided that, in
aGnuch as everybody knew that they could
not drink wine after that hour, everybody
would proceed to drink as much as they
wanted or as much as they could couven-
iently carry before the clock STRUCK The
balls, in fact, have gradually toned down for
The last five or six years, as have most other
things IN New York OF the kind; but il would
be hard for novice to suggest a way in
which they could be made HveIier than they
are even now.
10 the Arion society must be granted the
palm for producing the most magnificent re-
suits in the line of mask balls in New York,
although much more decornm prevails at the
Arions affairs than at the annual event
known simply as the French ball"
Because Of the Arion's splendor and con-
tempt for money, an AricR ball is perhaps
the best 70 describe And description CT
one viii pass for description of all
The balls occur, ike all the great society
events of Gotham, IN the Metropolitan OPP
era house. The colossal building, a palace at
art. Banks of flowers, walls Of growing
ferns, palms and beautiful exotics, electric
wand incandescent lights, silver and gold bird
cages from which astoniShed canaries pour
music at every moment, flags, steamers,
wreaths and garlends convert the interior
ir ia perfect fairyland
re Arion society is almost too wen known
a described 1t is the largest, richest and
Of clio rhs
United States, if not in the world. Its
membership exceeding a thousand, includes
nearly all the leading German and German
American merchants, professionals and mill
ionaireS Its balls became famous long ago
for their vast size, high artistic finish and an
extravaganza that to many would seem mon
strous or wicked. At one given at the Madi-
son Square Garden over 600 people took
part The receipts at the door, restaurant,
wine room and bars were almost $3.50, COO;
the expenses OF the organization were over
S35. 900, while the costumes, private and Off
ciai. were estimated to have cost half
million
The bail described, while not SO numer-
pusly attended as those held IN the Madison
Square Garden, was even richer and more
dazzing than anything ever yet seen. Long
Before the official opening Of the night by
the master Of ceremonies, the great building
was filed with crowd such as only New
York can produce. Bankers like Seliguan
and Belmont jo5tIed against millionaire
brewers like Ehret Ruppert and Bechtel;
city officials ciinked glasses with men about
town, famous gamblers and successful prize
lighters, Distinguished criminals bowed TO
equally distinguished lawyers For the
Arion society is nothing if not demo
cratic. All that it demands is that you
have enough money 70 buy a $40 ticket
and presentahle clothes, and that you behave
yourself gentleman during the time you
are a guest. The rule works well Even in
the early hears OF the morning, when every
thing is slrcharged with champagne. the be-
havior Is as quiet and orderly as at the same
time In the more aristOcTatic and exclusive
Patriarcfsi PIrrirn or OLD Crilir5 hall