The Helena independent., 1892-03-20
The Whole Town Was Deoked in
Green, Emblem Of the EN-
erald Isle.
Brilliant Dance In the Evening by
the Brotherhood Of Looomo-
tive Firemen
but Epjoynble--DoinKs Of People
N. of East Helena

4 Almost Al many countries contend FOR
the honor Of being the birthplace OF st.
Patrick q claimed this respect to Homer,
Scotland, France, England and Wales each
and al being engaged in the controversy.
Whatever dispute there may have bean
over his birthplace il is conceded by all
that he was Of the nobility. He began his
career about 372 A. D.. was stolen by pirates
when only 16 and sold into slavery in Ire
land. Altar several ysars Of bondage he
escaped to the continent where he studied
and reached successivsly the position Of
deacon, priest and bishop, then returned to
ireland to preach Christianity to the in
habitants. While st. Patrick is credited
with performing numerous and the most
wonderful miracles. the driving Of tho
venomous reptiles out OF tne island IS re-
gagged with the greatest veneration and
undoubtedly il ons OF the two principal
causes Of the sincere worship and adula-
tion given TO this great Itish
saint down to the present day. In the per-
formance Of this wonder, ia which ST. Pat
rick made the Irish soil 80 obnoxious TO the
serpent race that they die on touching it,
hs Is said to have beaten drum with such
vshomsnce a. to have knocked hole in It.
which almost intGrfered with the success Of
the miracle, but fortunately for the repu-
tation of tho patron. an angel mended the
drum and ths wonder Was performed sue
cessfully.
The shamrock, or the small three -leaved
white clover, is almost universally worn BY
all Iriahmen on st. PAtriok's day, in COM
msmoration Of the fact that when this
Irish he used it in explanation Of the
trinity The color Of the leaf worn now is
in honor Of the Emerald Isle, and the
"Wearine O. the Green is not only con-
fined to the inhabitants OF the "little oasis
but large number OF their foreign friends
also decorate themselves with this badge:
!. This then 10 the reason why on Ihursday
last, tho anniversary taken through all
these ages for the worship OF st. Patrick,
the CITY appeared in an unusually springlike
garb for this early season OF the year. Tho
streets were crowded with pedestrians
many of thsm visitors from neiQhboring
cities coming in to assist in the general
display. The wearers of this emblem far
outnumbersd the undeoorated. The steeds
driven rapidly through the streets pranced
and paved and undoubtedly realized this
was ! holiday and that they were capar-
isoned Raily for the occasion. The windows
Of the different shops presented verdure
If dame fashion had had in view this mem
orable day when shs designed the beautiful
display Of carly spring millinery 80 dear
to woman's heart. The favorite shade
for this season seems to be green. The
young scholars, also. had Tins amid
:h:, :h:1 hss sq':s ,.p.s, e n ne d. dsy p..ro
ism expressed b our Irish friends,
a. there was brilliant display Of green ia
the school room, from the fact that the
young damssls wore bow knots and tied up
their ''bonny brown hair and the young
LIN l--n
nscktiss.
The day closed with number Of enter
tainments given in honor Of its advent, the
first annual ball of Mount Helena Lodge
No. 423, Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
mon, given at Electric hall, being without
doubt tho most brilliant OF the days fes-
tivities.
The capacity Of Electric hall was fully
tested on Thursday evening, the event be-
ing the first annual ball of Mount Helena
Lodge No. 423 Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firsmsn, with their ladies and large
number Of guests. On entering the hall
the scene appeared az if it might have be-
loncsd to the Arabian Nights tales, and
ono was made to believe they need only
to these world renowned chambers deco
rated so extravagantly with gold, silver
and precious Jewels. Particularly beauti-
full and entrancing was the soene whom, the
electric lights being turned off. the hall re-
csiyed light only from $50 lanterns shower
ing green, yellow, red and blue radiance
over all. The decorations were most slab
crate and showed the Jealous work Of many
4 willing pair of hands, making beautiful
setting for the actors in the drama. They
consisted of heavy wreaths of green pine
entwined with bright oolorsd flowers hang.
ing in great numbers around the walls OF
the ball room. The heavy rods supporting
at set distances the sides of the building
we're heavily entwined with green. with
red, white and blue streamers, from which
hung the many colored lights. On the
walls in several positions, on a background
of red, white and blue. were hung the
ensigns Of tho order, not forget
decked out for the festive occasion.
The principal object in the heavily decor
atsd room, in its gorgeous apparel, was the
full sized front OF locomotive, No. 423,
which stood in all its conscious power of
superior strength at the upper end of the
also dressed in green with Americas patri-
otto colors, and when by BONE invisible
means its great Changing bell was heard,
then could one only realize they were not
among tho favored Of tho mystlc ages, but
down IN the practical inventive period of
the nineteenth century.
Tho lively dancers numbered at the least
estimation $780, and they tipped with merry
hearts and light feet until early morning
hours. The supper was served in the Busi-
ness college room on the second floor and
was most inviting and Welcomed repaat.
When March winds blow,
And kring the anow.
birds to ther nests must 1ee
The butterfly wing
Comes with tho spring;
Now--nature is on = spree.