The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-16

southern glance of arch possibility, are on
their mettle. Never were there such whls-
perings with close chums or such grave
consultations with mothers and modlstes.
Flowers are all very well, but there are
more important subjects for discussion for
these living flowers. There is the costume,
the matching of colors, the problem OF
presenting different toilets at the different
fetes, the selection of vehicles and escorts.
For the boys are gathering. There are the
Willie boys and the decadent boudoir boys
few enough of them, happily-and the
sturdy young orchardists and others with
bronzed cheeks, athletic form and keen
eye.
The boys of the town will be in danger
of being cut out by the newcomers now.
The town will be full of city cousins.
Heartburnings will be in order, and Cupid
will be led merry dance.
And everything is in perfect course of
readiness. The elder folks are smiling and
aiding and abetting it all. Lent is over,
and it is the gracious Eastertide, the spring
time and carnival of indulgent nature.
About all it is the great annual fete, and
why should not the lads and lassies enjoy
themselves? Nay, it is more for the Half
million Club is coming all the way from
San Francisco to extend brotherly hand,
and this is Santa Barbara's opportunity to
reciprocate.
So beneath all this surface gayety and
lightness of festal challenge, there is
much thought and work. The committee
is maturing the smallest minutia. While
there is pleasant mystification as to how
A will decorate his landau, or what flowers
will select, there is going on solemn
measuring of bunting, planting of arches
and poles, ordering of festoons, planning
of menus. musical programmes, distribu-
tion of badges and assignment of equipages
and places. The flowers to be exhibited
have all to be classified and arranged. The
floral procession and battle of roses la
Nice must be regulated. The decoration
and service at the big hall must be thought
out to the fixing of the nails of the hat
check taker or the last coil of acanthus.
Nothing is insignificant to the commit
tee which is working bravely, proud to
know that upon its shoulders rest the hon
ors, as well as the burden of the big fete.
With all this passive gayety, the week
opens with programme of athletic sports.
Hundreds of people repaired to the fair
grounds this afternoon to witness fitting
tournament participated in by the brawny
sons of Santa Barbara.
At the grounds five rings were arranged
on line overhead, and the mounted
knights, riding at full tilt, were expected
to catch them on the points of their lances
The gayly attired joisters wore the fol-
lowing colors: G. R. Evans magenta,
Cyril Doulton yellow and white, A. Alex
ander orange and black, Harold Spence
light blue and silver, Russell Park red, S.
Loomis green, F. A. Conant MORE, w.
Aston Hayne scarlet, Ben Hayne pink,
Fred Poett red and blue, Joe Pierce blue
and gold, Will Alexander lavender, Carl
Stoddart red, white and blue, Frank Ling
ham white and gold.
The contestants were allowed three rings
apiece. The distance to be covered was.
$50 yards; time limit, IL seconds. The
best time, 13 seconds, was made by VIII
liam Alexander. Score: Russell Park, 8
rings; Frank Lingham 8, William Alex
ander T.
At the conclusion of the tournament the
contestants joined in a horseback race, in
which outsiders were allowed to partici-
pate, to the great merriment of the crowd
1t was won by w. Alexander.
The attendance was large and the
grounds were filled with handsome equip
ages, occupied by gayly dressed ladies and
escorts.