The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-22
SCENE OF BRILLIANCY
Reception of the Masons to Visit
ing Guests.
The TEMPLE MEYER LOOKED FINER.

Masonic temple last evening. The visi-
tor had no trouble in recognizing the IN
mistakable evidence of approaching
gaiety the moment he came IN sight OF
the building.
A light shone from each window and
every heart within the building reelected
its warmth and cheer.
A reception was given by Topeka
Chapter No. to their visiting brethren
of the general grand lodge Of Royal
Arch Masons last evening. One could
not help noticing that the gentlemen
present with badges on, wore a particu-
larly well fed and prosperous appearance.
The only lean men present were those
from Iowa and few from Kansas. Mr..
Prince would have found no recruits for
his Masonic consumptive's home there.
II Topeka has ever seen a gathering OF
more distinguished looking men and
more beautiful women there are natives
with children now who do not remem-
Der it.
There was not an unhandsome inch in
the great rooms. Every spot had been
beautifed till the walls and ceilings and
domes and entryways and balconies gave
forth an appearance that was magnifi-
cent, but not more than in keeping with
the grand occasion it was built to sur
round. The main lodge room was filed
by o'clock with a. happy and well
dressed throng. The reception commit
not in full evening costume. The meet
ing had been announced as entirely in
formal, and there was nothing over
dressed about it Exceedingly good
taste prevailed.
There were palms and flowers every
where The elevation at the west end of
the room was cut of from the floor by q
veil of palms and behind it sat Mar
shalPs band with their best selections
before them A good many young peo-
pie were present and you could occa-
slonally hear a gentle objection when a
particularly sweet waltz hOated through
the palms because dancing had not been
provided for by the committee in charge.
At the south side of the room stood
High Priest VIII c. Chaffee, King
Charles j. Webb and Scribe SiIas L. Sea-
brook with their ladies, grasping with
hearty hands the guests as they were
presented.
There must have boon 400 people in
attendance and the rooms we're crowded.
There was no formal programme, but
Past Grand High Priest Bestor G. Brown
could not resist the temptation to say
few words in his hOWery way about the
welcome, and the sincerity of it. He
spoke feelingly of the departed compan-
ion John Henry Brown, whose portrait is
a feature OF the hall, and spoke so elo-
quently Of Kansas and the beauty of the
ladies present. that the applause was
hearty, and bushes of pleasure suffused
each feminine cheek
There is another room in the temple
that is truly handsome, and that is the
blue room. This was the gathering place
of the older people, who early became
wearied of the frivolities of the young
folks, who hoated from room to room,
stopping only long enough to peep into
the huge punch bowls and heck their
lips just the least little mite with their
pocket cam brio and linen.
Won hpvr
ing, and it is certain you have never
tasted better champagne and claret
punch. There was lemonade there for
those who liked it.
The picture of genuine contentment
and peace was just visible through the
clouds in the smoking room. Here was
the genuine reunion Old friends sought
each other out and took them here where
they could hide themselves in corners
behind the emanRtions of the fragrant
roll and recall to memory the happy
days of years ago. when one helped
strap the other on his maiden goat, or
perhaps it was r. A. III. The Illinois
man had the Wisconsin man buried in a
big easy chair, and was making him tell
all about the absent friend who slept
with him beneath his blanket during the
war and stood shoulder to shoulder with
him in the thickest Of the leaden rain.
What memory a good cigar will give
man.
Supper was announced at half past
nine o'clock, but it was nearly midnight
when all were through. Those in the
room were in no hurry to get out and
the long line that waited IN the hall had
about exhausted its stock Of pleas
antry and wit before it was
allowed to stop it in the most lonRed for
way. Anything in the shape of a joke
was good and thOroue hIy appreciated
while the wait for supper was occupy
two weeks already" said one young man,
"and l am almost too weak to wait any
longer" 1t wasn't very good joke, but
the people were indulgent aud the young
man made a hik The member of the
band wore their white coats, and a Jolly
young lady spread laughter through the
hall by introducing white coats to white
coats Everybody who had a joke let it
appear on the surface until finally there
was great good natured rush. The sup
per room door had been opened
The collation. was light one and like
the rest of the evening was very informal.
In the center of the room stood the table.
a pyramid of eye delightin9 delicacies.
The visitors occupied chairs or stood
around against the walls while the wait
ers brought the salad and coffee that was
to make their heads heavy and their
hearts sad tOday. lou took your plate
upon your knees if you had a chair and
held it in your hand if you stood NJ
The young ladies and gentlemen wrote
their names on each others napkins be-
tween the first and second rounds OF the
full dress walters and waited patiently
for the sherbet and cake that was to be
followed by the claret
Those who had eaten before were 90
ing home now, and when the watches
we're looked at there was establishment to
see that it was nearly u.
lit was time to 90 home now and fhara