The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-04-10

The members of Rebecca Lodge set the
fashions for the ensuing year last Friday
night, at the beautiful 1. o, o. F. hall. The
reporter was considerably abashed, if not
frightened, on entering the brightly lit room
and beholding the gay throngs of brilliantly
attired men and women. Even the children
were costumed like little Princes and Prin-
cesses and glance at his unconventional
black" and look at his shoes, that shone
like ebony mirrors, made him appreciative
at first of what might happen him in thus
contrasting the habilaments. But his apol-
ogies were graciously received, and after he
had been initiated into the " secret of sue
cess" by Sir William Wright, Bart, and Of
fetal Bottle Bearer, and accustomed his eyes
to the gleam of splendor that at first gave
an aggravated case of " sun squints" he was
led to believe that he was "right in it, SO
to speak, and to feel that the appearance of
his vesture would occasion him no further
inconvenience than being stared at, and
giving an occasional further explanation to
some belated attendant coming after his
| arrival and explanations. And soon he for
got all the awkwardness of the situation in
the endless panorama of sights and scenes
that appeared and vanished before him like
dance of fire-fies on summer night.
Among the most charming figures on the
floor was the sylph like form of bewitching
Miss Brown, who attracted the attention and
attendance of every gallant in the room and
was the cynosure of all the masculine eyes,
at least She was emo ordinary woman -
After an hour or SO of courtly promenade
and the dignifed intermingling and inter-
change of sentiment peculiar to those C. to
the manor born," stately program was
produced, with very properly rendered ap-
plause and encore. The Harper family
acted as royal minstrels and played fitting
prelude to the opening address of Mrs
Cowles, who, with the perspicuity of the
more silent sex, extended a hearty welcome
to all present. Mrs. Jones, arrayed like
Queen Boadicea after her capture by the
Romans, presided over the exercises with
authority and power, and in obedience to her
command Mrs. Cowles tremblingly returned
to the rostrum in response to a well meant
encore, and after charming curtsy" start
ed off with "Mary had little lam," but
suddenly recollected that Everybody speaks
that" and defying the look of stern reproval
from the President, left the rest unsald.
Amber Bierce then played difficult selec-
ton on the piano that all who have read or
heard of the immortal Peter, Pumpkin Eater,
appreciated well. Mrs. Lum Smith then re-
cited with the force of old fashioned Meth
odist "power," medley, " amusing, in
structive and eloquent" TheHarper family
nod IN w
the Bottle Bearer manipulated the " Uncle
Billy quickstep," to the infinite delight of
everybody, especially the fair sex. Martha
Washington then quietly arose and gravely
spoke to the company, whereat there was a
great hush and drawing down of mouth cor
ners on the part of the mischievoHs maidens
and frolicsome lads. A recitation by Leo
nard Alga, piano solo by Lulu White, Here
Stand, +" thrillingly vocalized and realized
by Ella McCraeken, Recitations by Charles
Bradshaw, Lum Smith, and powerful SER
mon, based on the text cold Mother Hnb-
bard," &C., from the devout and talented
itinerant, T. B. Dickinson, were delivered,
enjoyed and appreciated.
At this point Dr. Griffin entered the room,
and the President Immediately deereed from
him violin solo. The Dr., although sur
prised, rallied to the occasion, and made a
clear case by stating that he couldn'ttell
lie," he had lent his violin to Bro. Waller,
who had not returned it. The demand for
piano solo was finally compromised by a
duette by Mrs. Smith and the Dr., " What |
are the wild waves saying?" with the Bottle |
Bearer at the keyboard. This completed the |
and then came pop corn and "bush-
els of fun and confusion" Dancing com |
pleted the pleasure of the evening. A. H. |
Hine and Mrs. Gledhill took the " first pre- |
MUM" for the best gotten up costumes.