The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1891-08-21

This is something THE GLOBE does not
often do, but the firemen-
Well, they do a great deal Of hard work
and give a considerable part of their time
which could be passed more pleasantly
and with greater profit to themselves, to
the public, and THE GLOBE believes that
the public owes them some recognition in
return.
Accordingly we, that part of the public
which the pronOun represents, attended
en- masse and did what we could in help
ing out the electric light company by
shedding the radiance of our presence
over such obscure corners as offered a
good point for observation and reflection.
There was a large crowd in the ware
house, people Of all ages, sexes and sizes,
and each had his or her little circle Of
friends, from Mrs. BRYAN's baby to COL
oNEL DICKSON, the patriarch, with whom
they exchanged compliments and made
fun of the other couples as they passed
and repassed in their circuit of the build
ing, pausing now and then to handy
words with some gorgeously-gotten up
and silver-tongued siren who solicited a
vote, pleading in accents soft and per-
suasive that it was only ten cents and
she wanted the prize $50 bad"
The cornet band, led by Professor
Prosho, discoursed it's sweetest strains,
and was the lamp about which the moths
t1ickered and the attraction which held
the crowd together.
The scene last night was a revelation
such a.revelation that it was only after
repeated observation and solemn assur
ances on the part of those who knew
that we could take in and digest, so to
speak, the truely amazing audacity and
s%ublimity of cheek that could prompt and
sustain a girl in such an enterprise.
One figure, especially, attracted our at
tention and was followed in its move
ments with unusual interest.
She was a dear young thing done up
after the most approved style of decora-
tive art. In anticipation of her victory
she wore a wreath of roses, or geran-
iums, or something else equally decided
and to the purpose.
But it is Of the prizes and the prize
candidates of which we wish to speak
a species of aims begging and specula-
ton which was altogether new to us and
which we were not prepared to meet in
an honorable and dignified body such as
the fire department of a city like Dur
ham is expected to be.
When upon previous occasions we had
published the names of the young ladies
who received the highest number of votes
on beauty, popularity, ETC., we naturally
considered that the individuals in ques-
ton had some claim to the compliment
which the votes were supposed TO carry
with them, believing of course that they
were voluntary and really meant some
thing.
Old men, young men, middle-aged men
and everything of the masculine persua-
sion was tackled during the evening by
this flower queen and asked and urged
to vote for her, saying it was only ten
cents and she thought they might.
Some responded readily and were left
alone; others hesitated, argued the point
and declined, Diminishing her with a vol
ley of compliments, assuring her that she
was the loveliest creature on the floor
and would be certain to get the vote any
way.
And she fitted from one side of the
building to the other like a little bird and
was not discouraged by failure or rebuff.
There were other candidates, also, but
they worked more quietly and were less
conspicuous.
And The GLOBE reflected
What is the sex coming to when Amer
lean, and worse than that, when southern
girls so for forget their inherent pride
and womanly modesty as to be turning
out at a public festival and begging men
say with a ten-cent emphasis that they
are the prettiest or most popular girl
present.
Bah.
1t is time for DR.. YATES to let up on
the woman suffrage question. There is
WORK for him nearer home.
And the fire companies are wrong to
allow such proceedings. Many a gentle
man would go and spend money freely
in any Legitimate scheme to raise funds
the tiremen, but are kept away by the
anticipation of these same prize fiends
whom they dread to encounter and so
stay away altogether. If the firemen
in commencing such undignifed
and disgusting practices they have no
to expect the assistance and rat
of the best people.
TIE COAT WE WEAR
The fringe on a mans coat sleeve is no