The morning call., 1892-12-11
They Grow at the Blazing
Candles.
OPENING OF THE BIG SHOW.
Handsome Women i'm Handsome Cos
tunes and Hundreds of Babies
at Mechanics Pavilion.
Itisa great shov-a magnificent show.

charmed by the mass of brilliant color, and
the pleasing effect is intensified a hundred
fold as some unexpected novelty flashes
upon the vision,
The occasion was the opening night of the
Worlds International Candle Contest and
Baby Show. and the hearts of the manage
meDt were gladdened by a very large at
tendance.
There are about 200 booths on the floor Of
the pavilion arranged in rows with the
statue of Liberty in the center and an iu-
mense candle in front.
To the west of the statue Is a raised plat
form in the shape OF chessDoard marked
In black and white squares and numbered.
On the north and south sides of the platform
is a raised dais with handsomely uphol
stored chairs for the kings and queens.
At the west side of the Pavilion is the
band stand and other attractive booths with
Punch and Judy show which proved not
the least pleasing and amusing feature OF
the great show.
The booths are liz the national colors OF
each nation represented and inside is seated
handsome young lady. charming and
richly attired IN the national costume.
Each has tall candle al her side.
Every nation under the sun Is represen ted
and twenty-five of the States Of The Union.
Ii is easy 10 imagine the variety OF cos
tune and olor to he seen.
1t would be difficult to dec de which is the
most attractive booth. each having its ad-
miTers, but one of the prpttiest Is without
doubt Iceland" The effect produce by
the artificial snowfiskes and ice is very
striking.
Besides the national and.State booths there
are others representing Quaker Mephisto,
Martha Washington and other characters.
Everything Is IN perfect taste and appro-
prlateness There Is nothing TO offend the
most fastidieus. but on the contrary. every
thing To please and charm.
But attractive as the booths and their oc-
eupants undoubtedly are, they are not be
compared IN the eyes OF the fair sex 10 the
babies.
BLESS their dear little hearts," was the
common exclamation around the small
army of babies who with their fond mammas
are seated on raised platform along the
north side of the Pavilion.
There are all sorts Of babes-brown-eyed,
biaek-eyed. gray-eyed; fat and lean babies
laughing babies; squalling babies; Growing
babies.
The fact is there. were so many babies
that the management had to Tegretfully
turn them away. much to the sorrow and
disappointment of their parents. But room
will be made for them. and they will yet
stand chance of winning the prize.
One of the greatest attractions in the baby
show were the Alameda triplets. The
parents are Mr.. and Mrs. Shields, and they
were both in attendance on their offspring
All night the tripets had an admiring
crowd gazing upon them and fondling Them
They are three bright little girls as lively as
crickets.
A reporter Of THE CALL had brief con-
versation with Mr.. Shields, who had one Of
the tTiplets in his arms endeavorlng to
seOthe IL TO sleep.
THANK heaven" he feryently said as the
little mite VaWuad nroHigiousiV Ntha rats n
chance of them going to sleep. The crowd
has made them moro restless than usual
aud / can tell you it's no joke to look after
them.
Il ought to be proud of them? Well.
amt just, but there isn't much sleep when
there are so many 10 look after. You can
understand that"
Mrs. Shields was looking as proud and
happy as a queen, and sheidid not lack will
Ing helpers to mind" the babies
Several twins also came in for a good deal
of attention, notably those Of Mrs. Fred
Thral. twin boys, who are as pretty as pict-
ures.
a Chinese baby. seated upon its mother
knee, had also many admirers. She was a
lively little thing and could souall az loud
| as any OF her white competitors.
There Is no doubt that many of the babies
| are beautiful, but some of them are not in
that category. He would be brave man.
however, who would hint such thing to
tue eiillftBS cdCN OF WnGm WOulQ
| back her darling against the world.
The babies are, as a rule, very nicely at
| tired, and their warmth and comfort is
| looked after In the shaI of several blazing
/ stoves.
| The baby show is an immense success.
| Voting was carried on vigorously, each
| competitor having small box with silt
on top, IN which the voting cards are put
| Each box has the number corresponding Il
the baby upon it.
A few minutes before o'clock the sound
Of bugle was the signal for rush to tie
/ galleries.
The living chess tournament was about
/ TO commence.
| Principally at o'clock Casassa's First
| Regiment band struck up a spirited march
| and the living chessmen-or rather chess.
women, as they are all, with the exception
| of the kings. handsome young ladies-made
| their appearance in couples.
Each, whites and blacks, was preceded by
| member of the male persuasion attred in
! the costume of cavalier and carving q
| flag in his right hand.
On the chessboard they went throuph
| some pretty eyolutions before forming intf
! line. Then to The blare Of the trumpsts ihe
| Kings and queens mounted the steps lead
| ing 10 the platform with slow ana stately
| tread, walked between the lines formed by
the chesswomen and took their seats on the
thrones.
| The black" king looked like the late
| Emperor William 1 Of Germany and The
| white king bore a striking resemblance
to Presi1ent-elect Grover Cleveland
no black rocks. pawns. knights,
| bishops, and princes were ali dressed in
scarlet, and the white" in white
Standing at their respective sides OF the
cheSsDoard they presented a pretty and
picturesque sight. which was Enhanced as
the movements in the game proceeded.
The players-GeOrge Miller, white" and
/ nv RnrdupI sthlapE
seats. each having chessboard with the
'men" upon 1T TO guide them in their moves
The white" cavalier got the ''moye''
fr0m the player on piece OF paper and
after leading the lady to the position as
signed her handed the paper 10 the "black''
cavalier, who took IL to his player, and vice
versa.
White made the first move and the match
commenced in earnest. Black played a
strong hand up 10 the left move, but his
next move was weak. White then assumed
the better position by giving I'D piece.
which sacrifice Black failed TO accent. and
when time was called after one hours play
White had the leading position, having
one bishop ahead.
white still has king. queen, two rocks.
one bishop and seven pawns Black a
king. queen, two rocks and seven pawns
The game. which was closely contested
will be finished in ten or twelve more
moves, and White will in all probability
win. IT win not be continued tin Tuesday
night. as tonight Mir. Miller begins his
match with V. Quirega, and il will probably
continue for two nights.
Immediately on the close Of the game Of
chess the candles were lighted, and the
great International candle contest began
The candles will continue to burn till the
close OF the show, on the 18th inst. Voting
WAS lively last night.
A vote was taken last night on the ladies
who shall constitute the committee on
prizes, and the following are ahead so far !:
Lena Alexander. 56SA Bryant; Gussie
Alien, Simpson place; Mary Stewart. 7I5
McClay court: Carrie Lynch, 504 Thirteen In
street, Oakland; Elenie Tailor. TIA Kearny:
May Clayton, 1926 Folsom Sophie Suiberg.
l203 Hayes: Maggie Fitz- Belle Ronning.
352 Third; Lizzie Trapp, ia HAYES.