The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-03-30
EVENT OF THE SEASON.
SWEET CHARITY CALLED OUT A
GOODLY AUDIENCE.
The Opera House Scene Of Gayety and
social Festivities Wednesday Night
Never Surpassed in Ocala
Society Scaled the Social Barricades and
Is in at the Festive Breach.

1t was happy thought of the ladies
of st. Margnaret's Guild connec ed
with Grace Episcopal church to con-
ceive the idea of holding charity
ball Immediately after Lent for so
many persons who had been subsist-
ing in sack cloths and ashes were only
too glad of a pretext to revel in music,
dissipate in social amity, show their
lovely new Easter gowns under the
enchanting brilliancy of the electric
lights, and cause the glow to blush in
comparison with their seductive beau
ty at its own insufficiency.
All this tended to make the charity
ball the event of the season, in fact an
occasion of such resplendent social
gayety, brilliancy and beauty that it
may be safely said, Ocala, with its
many crushing social gatherings in the
past, has never witnessed one to equal
the festivities of Wednesday night.
Dancing began promptly at 10
O'Clock under the inspiring strains of
Colby's orchestra, and excepting the
midnight hour of intermission, when
most toothsome and elegant repast
was partaken of in the rooms of the
second floor, it was on with the dance
until three o'clock in the morning be-
fore those who were voteries at the
fascinating shrine, Terpsichore, were
willing to admit that music had lost
its fascinating and seductive strains,
and were willing to say in sweet char
ity's name, i've are ready to yield, to
leave the floor, return and give our
selves to natures sweet restorer,
balmy sleep, and dream OF impress
sions made, and conquests won.n
The decoration and refreshment
committee, consIs ing of Mesdames G.
s. Clarke, S. r. Birdsey and VIM. N.
Bangs, left nothing undesired in these
particulars, and in securing and pre-
pairing the refreshments. Mesdames
Gibbons, Snowden, Pike, Jewett. Red
ding and Miss Coards say that all de-
mands made on them were promptly
met and received with satisfaction,
pleasure and appreciation that went
long way to compensate them in their
arduous duties and trying labors.
The reception committee, composed
of Mr.. and Mrs. r. B. Mcconnell, Mr..
and Mrs. e. G. Bird and that suave
and gallant knight of Lady Lake, Mr..
Samuel Washington league, labored
with marked success to make every
one feel at home and that the hall and
all that was therein contained, was
part of their inheritance.
We spkeak truthful words when we
say the ladies were elegantly gowned,
some of the costumes were rich and
striking in their makeup, while their
gallant and chivalrous attendants
were strictly within the regulation
limits in their dress and courteous de-
meanor towards their fair partners.
That most of the dancers were grace
full goes for the saying, while in several
instances the poetry of motion AS ex-
emplified by the fair devotees of -r'erp-
sichore, attracted the attention and
elected the admiration of every look.
er-on.
Nearly two hundred persons were
present, which evidences the favor
with which society took to the ball,
room alone preventing US from giving
the names.
NOTES.
1t was conceded that Miss Chisholm,
of Orangeburg, 8. O.. was the .'beIle of
the ball" though Mrs. Simmons, of
Ans mia, Conn.,, sister If Mrs. E. l..
Root. was close second. While
North Carolina claimed her Miss I'M
derwood, Georgia her Miss Glover,
Illinois her Miss Clarke and Missouri
her Miss Smith, Ocala held close call
on all in the persons of Miss Maggie
Eagleton and Miss May Martin.
Of the many lovely costumes Mrs.
Pickford's gowning had the lead, but
as tastes differ, Mrs. Agnew, Mrs. G.
s. Clarke, Miss Eagleton, Miss Chis-
holm and Mrs. Simmons attire were
also greatly admired.
Of the many pleasant memories
which social events have photographed
in the retina of the minds of the par
Elephants none will weave q softer,
more pleasing and delightful picture
in memory's hall than those created
by Wednesday nights scenes and
pleasures.
Everybody went home happy.