The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1893-06-01

/ have it from one who has spent much
Of his time ut one of the fashionable
watering places, who says that drunken
ness at these bacchanalian feasts is an
inevitable accompaniment. Ho declares
that when these balls break up about
daylight the women are in such n state
of beastly intoxication on many occa-
sions that they are driven from the scene
in closely curtained vehicles lest the
early worEingman on his way TO his
task shall see and recognize them.
have had'descriptions Of these feasts,
in which society bellies were described as
lying across lounges, ON the floor, in ev-
cry conceivable attitude, in a condition
of intoxication that would have resulted
in arrest and q sentence to Blackwells
island If the police had done their duty.
Many of the women in this circle Of So
ciety have added to their drinking ac-
complishments the art Of smoking ciga-
rettes. 1t goes without discussion that
the men are far in advance of the women
in all these accomplishments The de-
scription of the famous Camencita ball
at the Madison Square Garden given in
one Of our daily papers gives a clear un-
derstanding of this fact. Hear the words
taken from the reporters account Of the
event witnessed in person:
The real character Of the Carmcncita ball at
Madison Square Garden did not develop itself
until after the procession had ended and tho
newspapers gone to press. Then fun began
with oil the abandon born of easy morals and
flowing wine.
Ladies' and gentlemen had been there, but
the men took their wives home and returned
TO see the sport. The boxes they had previous
ly occupied with decorum now became the rem
devious for the liveiest women in town.
Masks were thrown aside regardless Of cou-
sequences-the women wero only too glad 10
be recognized, and the men were reckless Of
their reputation. Nearly every important So
cial club had n headquarters, the Union, New
York, Knickorbocker, Calumet, St. Nicholas
and Manhattan men holding levCcs in one or
more boxes.
Picture, If you can, half dozen leaders Of
the german, poseurs Of grace and dignity at
the windows of the Fifth avenue clubs, joining
hands in q circle, jumping up and down like
wild Sioux in ghost dance, shouting at the
top of their voices and perspiring like hod car.
rieTs, the center of their saltatoral efforts be.
ing bright eyed blond, kicking FIRST the eye
glasses from near sighted fellows face and
then toeing n hole in the crown of q tall silk
hat upheld higher than her head.
It was q DEVILS carnival.
Round and round the great amphithcater
swirlcd the thrOng in the most energetic and
| indefnablc manner Of loCOmotion.
There is dance much affected by society
called the York, +" in which n couple lock arms
| and move forward as though promenading, al
| though at intervals there is q skipping step or
| two and then n waltz
The York" was very popular at the Carmen
cita ball But the couples did not lock arms.
| The lady placed her bare white arm around
| the neck OF her partner; he with one arm en-
| circled her waist With the disengaged hand
| the siren upheld her skirts Instead of walk
| ing forward sedatcly they rushed at running
| speed, both kicking their heels in tho air,
! knocking down any one encountered, and then,
| when united for the waltz her feet making
! circles in the air within a radius not confined
| 10 les than O yard above the loor.
! The formally of an introduction was reli-
| gicus'y observed, however, in the boxes.
MT. Smith, allow me to present you to Mrs.
| Brown"
| These were tho modes of presentation, and
| the Smiths and Browns all ordered champagne
| at So q bottle and drank it, usually breaking
tie glasses by way of disregard for the cost.
The bottle was passed around without glasses
! once in awhile E.r.aG'GCcu drst swectened by
amber tinted lips that had just held ciga-
| rette, whose ashes would nestle somewhere
| above the cCrsagG Of tho damsel who had
| smoked it, jewels OF rare value glstened on
the necks and arms Of those gay but naughty
| fairies. The dresses were from Worth street
| perhaps, but 5naGc Of the Costliest materials
and in the most lccoming rtyle and perfect fit.
silk hosiery and satin slippers, some edged
| with gold lare, in cOlOra TO match the dress
| were the invpriable rule.
And again, says another reporter:
He saw, too, n gray haired, gray mustached
citizen, whom everybody Knows about the
Stock E5ohange, seated inn dimly lighted box
which tho curtains protected with q friendly
shadow, between two women from side street
as well known as his own name, with an arm
about the neck OF one girl and another about
| the neck of a bottle OF that Sparkling cider" ."
There, hours before, he had sat erect, blase
enlinently proper, in the same box, with q
naughty, brown haired, fur enwrapped woman
beside him. She had after a few moments
thrown her furs aside, for the heat was in.
tense Half d!sdainfulb,, with tho slightest
suspicion CT an amused smile wreathing heI
| lips, sbe had watched Carmencita's entry with
her Spanish camp followers; watched Carmen.
cita sway ana bend in the dance she went
| through on the dGis in the center of tho Gar
den; watched the proem 10 the juice-of-the.
| grape-enlivened carnival that was Just being
born. She was bis wife, and about midnight
she had gone away. Did she wish him to 60
away with her? Didn't she carer
| That such people who lead such lives
should arrogate to themselves the title
OF society is piece Of cheek whose sub
Unity must elicit at least admiration
from the average American. have de-
scribed this circle of society not because
/ hope for the salvation of its members.
There are not many of them, according
to their historian, Mr. McAllister, and
they are not Of the class of people easily
reached with any moral influences, and
Il
counC when Won, IL Is not Tor their
sake, for they areascarcely worth the ex.
ertion, that l w0uld speak, but it is for
the sake Of the masses who burn incense
to vanity. 1t is for the sake of the peo-
| pie who are deceived that would speak.
This ,coterie constitutes a mob. Hagel
defines the mob as any number of people
who have withdrawn themselves from
the body of society and seek their own
ends and aims.
Mr.. McAllistar gives a most accurate
| description of this sort Of q mob in its
exclusiveness. From the bottom OF my
heart Ipity the man or the woman who
tries te. get into that circle of people.
And yet, says the historian: "Now, do
not for q moment imagine that all were
indscriminately asked to these little
fetes. [heferring to q Newport picnic.
On the contrary, if yen were not of the
inner circle and wers newcomer, it
took the combined efforts of all your
friends backing and pushing to procure
an invitation for you. For years whole
families sat on the stool OF probation,
awaiting trial and acceptance, and many
were then rejected, but once received