Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1895-01-24
A BRILLIANT SUCCESS.
First Annual Ball of the Foresters
Attracts a jolly Crowd.

Attracts a jolly Crowd.
The first annual ball of Court Will
liam French Foresters of America, is
thing of the past, and met with all the
success that we predicted. Even more,
for the floor was filled to OVERLOOKING
with dancers and not seat in the gall
lery was available for spectators. Stand
ing room in the gallery was a nonenti-
ty. 1t is said that about O'Clock
visitor from out of town paid several
times their original cost for two front
seats in the gallery, but there was no
specializing in tickets.
From what had been said in advance
the spectators expected to see prettily
decorated hall, but it far exceeded the
expectations of all. To say that it
was pretty is not enough, and yet it is
hard to describe them and do Justice to
the decorators. 1t is a difficult place to
decorate successfully, and much inge-
nuity was displayed in planning, as
well as skill in carrying out the ideas.
The stage was turned into miniature
forest of evergreen trees, from which
stuffed deer poked out its head as if in
wouderment at what it was all about.
Over the proscenium was wreath con-
tanning the emblem of the order in ever
green letters, "a. o. f. of Al The
front of the stage was draped with red,
white and blue, flight of steps lead
ing from the stage to the dance floor.
From the center of the ceiling long
streamers of tri-colored bunting, and
narrower strips of red, white and blue
alternately spread out to every part of
the hall. From where the streamers
met in the center huge inverted Jap
anese umbrella was suspended, and be-
low that unique japanese lantern
with an electric light inside. Flags of
all nations futtered from the streamers,
and shields of red, white and blue, with
gilt stars, interspersed with pictures,
relieved the walls of their bare appear
ance. In the windows were large mir
rors, partially hid with draperies. The
| llOhC vi IIC olICly hdO OdChSIOulu
of white, with just enough color in ro-
sets and bunting to set it off, and from
the back of the gallery large electric
search light cast its rays onto the stage.
A row of japanese parasols on the I'M
/ der side of the gallery completed the
picture. The floor was covered with a
canvas and everything possible was
done for the comfort and convenience
Of the dancers.
At s o'clock Beedle's orchestra of
Keene came upon the stage for the con-
cert, the program for which was pub
lished in THE TIMES. There Were eight
numbers on the program, and the audi
ence expressed much enthusiasm over
several of them, especially woodland
Whispers and selection from the
"Fencing Master The "Southern
Qualification, :" which closed the concert,
was repeated in response to continued
applause. Beedle is improving his Or
chestra every year, seeming to grow
better with age like wine and women.
The grand march which followed the
concert was an innovation. The march
was headed by the orchestra playing
brass, and came down to the floor from
the center of the stage by flight OF
steps, and after few pretty evolutions
the sets were formed for dancing. The
march was led by Past Chief Ranger
4 ID. w. Connors and Miss Mary Nc
Gowan, II couples following. Fully SO
couples more participated in the dane
ing, SO that the floor was uncomfortably
crowded. That is, it seemed SO, but nc
one was complaining and everybody
seemed to be enjoying themselves.
There were many pretty costumes and
from the gallery the assembly presented
pleasing Kaleidoscope effect as one
looked at the ever moving bits of color.
The floor was in charge of Past Chief
Ranger d. w. Connors and Chief
Ranger J. e. Byrne.
At II O'Clock supper was served in
Towns hotel, but with such a crowd all
could not be accommodated at once, SO
the orchestra stayed to play for those
, who waited. After supper dancing
was resumed and it was past three
when the last bugle call announced the
finale of the Foresters' first annual,
May succeeding years bring them as