Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-16
At the Economics Close Com.
muniOn Yesterday.
NEW MEMBERS ADMITTED,
But No Outsiders Allowed to Witness
the Ceremonies.
THE NEW DEPARTURE CRITICISED

establishment at Economy yesterday, and
though it may have been and doubtless was
an enjoyable festival for the members of the
society, it was grievous disappointment to
many outsiders who went to witness the pro-
ceedings to share the good cheer
which loaded the tables in the Town Hall.
The only resource was to inspect the
trimmed grapevines which climb over all
the houses in this quaint old village, and
listen to the swallows ''twittering frou
the straW-built she'd" for the elders of
the society had decreed that aside from
members and employees, there should be no
admission, except to the religious services
in the chapel in the forenoon, and as these
were conducted in German, they did not
greatly edify some of the attendants. Presi-
dent Henrici preached, but those who heard
and could understand insisted that he did
not go much out of his ordinary gait, further
than to appropriately allude to the day and
its associations.
A few minutes before l o'clock P. NJ. the
chapel bell gave the signal to repair to the
Town Hall, and soon from every direction
could be seen old men and maidens young
men and children, from the venerable octo-
genarian of stately presence and great
breadth of beam to the prattling baby,
crowding to the featt of fat things, of wine
on the lees.
ONLY FOR THE ELECT.
But all save the society and its employees
were confronted at the door by a constable,
who said he had orders to keep all strangers
out, and he seemed to get especial gratifca-
tion from executing his authority on news
paper men. An attempt was
made to push past him, and
beard some of the elders in their den, but
they shook off all attempts impatiently and
deigned not to assign any reason. Even
Mrs. Jacob Henrici, niece by marriage of
President Henrici, was not allowed admis-
sion, though her son is a member Of the
Economic Brass Band, and she wanted to
hear him play. Mrs. Henrici's husband
holds a responsible position in Park Broth
ers' steel works.
All that could be learned from the out
side was that DR.. Benjamin Feicht and wife,
Henry Feicht and wife, John Duss and
wife, Julius Stiekel and wife and STEP
daughter. Birdie, the latter IS years Of age,
c. Hermandoffer and wife, Mrs. Hoerr,
Henry Fisher, Jacob Nichols, II. Miller,
Ed Kellman, PlausiuS Platz and Sigmund
Stleivater, who signed the book on Thurs
day, were fully received into the society
yesterday, the visible sign being the break
ing of bread with the members This, it
was explained, was not the communion, but,
nevertheless, a solemn ceremony.
REAT, FESTIVITIES BEcTN
Up to 12:4O P. M. the proceedings did not |
greatly interest the young blood of EnoDomy,
but when the tap OF the chapel bell sounded |
and an equally mixed sedate and de'l-may-
care expression of countenance was manifest |
on the faces OF an eighth of an acre of |
physiognomy, lads and lasses comingsas |
near kicking up their heels in rolicking |
dissipation as they were known to do |
in Economy. In the eyes of sim
sers, however, it was grotesquely |
theological, though the close observer could |
see that the pulses of these demure lads and |
lasses beat as violently as they ever do in
worldly circles. They were bows and girls |
of Is to % years, were flesh and blood, and |
mighty healthy flesh and blood at that.
The music was good, and mirth was
hearty in the hall, though not fast nor furi-
ous So much could be gathered from the
outside. 1t vas like the Sunday-fddle |
music played by the ungodlv in strong Sab
bstarian rural districts when the fiddle
bridge is lowered to subdue sound.
The elders, male and female, enjoyed the /
pastime in their staid way fully as much as
the youngsters, but the 1898 or 1905 style of
hat worn by the men and the costume of !
the mothers in Israel, suggested a picture,
if such were possible, of picnic gotten up
expressly BY the Plymouth Rock pilgrims
Il. r
Everything about the costume of the elders
denoted comfort of the broad-gauge kind,
except the hats. which certainly would be
more comfortable if reduced about rs per
cent in dimensions.
WILL WEAR THAT HAT.
A Gentle without the court, speaking of
the headgear, stated that a lately elected
superintendent made a strenuous fight
against wearing the distinctive tile, but was
forced to succumb.
President Henrici spoke briefly of the
history, growth and objects of the society.
The musical programme of the afternoon was
under the charge of Prof. Jacob Rohr, d.
rector, and Mr.. Ernest Woefel, and was
well rendered. 1t consisted of an
overture, Mast" bv Hermann; medley.
American Melodies, - Beyer; selection from
Martha" Otis Orchestra, FloUow; selec-
ton, "Musicanten Ruf," Walston; selection
from 'Die Zauber6oete, " Young Band; sere-
made. with the Angels, - Young Band; Sc
lection, Domroeschen, Bach; quartet con-
cert, KIesler; medley of plantation songs,
Contreno; waltz, "Aus Schooner Zeit"
Rixner.
Reporters felt as though they had found an
oasis when they struck Prof. Rohr after the
afternoon festivities had subsidized He car
ried them vi ct armis to his residence, near
by, and those who feared not to look on the
wine when it gave its color in the cup
soon forgot the discomforts of
cold feet and the eager and nipping blast
that had toyed with their noses all after
noon. Prof Rohr subsequently took them
through the assembly hall, where maid and
matron were getting ready another lunch
for the evening, OF the most substantial
character. 1t was composed of wheat bread,
rye bread, sweet cakes, sauer kraut, soup,
rice and mountains of roast beet
but no pastry. The Economics
steer clear of dyspepsia, and they demon
strated their ability to endure fatigue by
being as fresh at o'clock In the evening as
at o'clock in the morning, when the fes-
tivities began.
A MATTER OF PRECAUTIoN.
The spigot had been removed from a.
gallon cask of wine, and an old ladv ex-
planned that it was thought best to do so,
lest some of the boys might forget them
selves. No one but an Economite would |
have thought such precautiOn necessary.
Not that the physique of the young
people denoted an excess of devotional feel
ing, but even hilarity was qualified by .
subdued expression, as though they culti-
waited thorns in the flesh, whose presence Z
might continually remind them o: the
icbt and narrOu