New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-21
LIKE A FRENCH REVOLUIION.
SCENES AT THE HARMONIC BALL.

DISTURBANCES IN WHICH oTERo, MR.. GEB-
HARD AND OTHERS WERE PROMINENT.
| A little yeast will often cause great fcrment.
The annual ball of the Ccrcle Flancas dc fliarmonie
IS always notable. That of Monday night was Strik
ingly notable. Indeed. the active display of fists
at times crushing This all came from trling
circumstance. A dancer in the Eden Musec. spanish
! by race Otcro by name. attended the ball she sat
in box and so long as She remained there removed
from the enthusiastic crowd the floor. the ball
went on as smoothly a peaceful dream. But Mr.
Jurccns OtcrO's manager, with his usual generosity
and nheartedncss. invited several Of his friends
to the box in which sat the dancer. beautiful in her
crimson tint OF check and sparkle OF dark eye. and
gorgeous in a gown of yellow and gold. which so
daz=led mems eyes that their heads went swimming
Anon: her visitors actor. well known for
his erect and well trimmed figure. his AcibiadeS ike
features and his dark The conversation between
the Southern dancer and the actor Of the North was not
fluent for lie spoke in good old Anglo saxon. While her
words were fragrant with the soft mOdulations o.!
Andalusian hreezes. Eut the actor. through Mr.
Jurgcns invited Otcro to make a trumphal march
around the hall. their friends 10 form body guard
OF honor as well as Of protection. This exhilara-
ton NAV have fred the spanish blood. At any rate,
a little while afterwan loud slap was
heard in Otero's box. 1t of those
slaps which what they say. 1t was
sharp and quick. ard stnCing-the kind
that draws red scar OF shame across the cheek OF
the one who is struck. Cries Of rage and humiliation
drew crowd for any disturbance will draw a trong
at French ball. a moment later Otcro was missing.
and her solicitous manager and her admrng friend.
the actor, rushing about among the white cur.
tans behind the first tier of boxes.
In the excitement cxCommis>oner OF something
found time 10 ask what the trouble some ono
told him that the ardent young Spanish woman had
struck Mr.. sternberg OF the Musec across the face
with the palm Of her hand. With the true spirit q
chivalmc knighthcOd. the eX-ComnTSSioner shrehcd
with rage at the "unGentlemany" Mr.. Stcrnberg and
rushed at him. some one was discourtoous enough to
pick up the OK commissioner twist him over the TOW
of seats and drop him halfway down the tier. That
settled the exCommis>oncr bat not Oero. Mr..
JureenS meanwhile had been crying ont Where j.
Ote1o?" When he caught sight OF her she stood up
on her dainty toes if she about 10 give one
Of her beautiful figures OF physical gyraon. Strengthened
her 1.-THE and snuouS figure. and with her white throat
showing in dazzling purity against the yellow 81 her
gown >he let out piercing shrek. Then there was
a wlrl Of figures Nobody knew what the trouble
was but everybody pulling and struggling with
everybody else and the storm ragged until two police
men marched Mr. Stcrnberg ont Of the house and otero
collapsed While those in the crowd were looking
sorrowfully at ruined gathering ties but
and pins the smiling Mr. JureenS picked his re
mains up from the floor and asked swectly, Where
is OterO ,"
After this little outbreak every one seemed 70 think
that Otcrp had set the fashion for rows The actor
who had been in the first misunderstanding young
woman in box whom he had known SIX wears ago
She drinking wine with popular colonel OF Wide
fame. and when the friends renewed their ar
Quaintancc for fcw minutes vOlleys Of red hot words
were poured over the rail Of the box. When IL all
actor had been led away To his bed the
young woman blnshed modesly and the gallant colonel
smiled Serencly.
Then Bob billiard and Frederick GebhaFd came on
the stage for their part Of the amusement. Maurice
Barrymore tried g stop thc-r sc arguments but they
insisted disigurng each Others facial beauty, and
Mr.. BARRYMORE gfavcy watched the destructive opera
ton until four policemen introduced themselves Then
A wonderful thing happened. \ cyclone rushing
from their side OF the hall. II tore tlr ugh the crowd
sent men and whlrlin- on all >ld"- and with
wild dash made streak toward tho W1!n entrance.
In the midst Of the cyclone. top II 1t fl edges
and before IT, the violently acitate and legs
If Mr.. Gcbhari his friends ~" policemen
clinging to him scadfastly and cOGrageOu-lY.
There was no douht ahout the fashion then. and
until the big hall cleared fights sprOuted and
blossomcd IKE rice in flooded field. But everybody
had a good time