The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-08
splendid CHARITY Ball
rockingham Theater Packed With
Dancers and Spectators
MAS A DISTINCT SUCCESS
No Detail Lacking In IN Elaborate Ar
ransemsnt Of Music. Flowers and
Spiendor-St. Joseph's Fouudliug
Home will Profit Much.

The great charity ball for the benefit
OF the st. Joseph Founding Home.
about which so much has been written
and so much been said for the past few
weeks, was held last evening in the
Frothingham theater.
The clustering March weather which
set in, In snow squalls and gusty winds
yesterday afternoon failed to deter over
500 ladies and gentlemen from Drawing
the chilling air in light evening dress,
and possibly even enhanced their en-
5oyment Of the evening by the very
contrast which 1t offered to the fairy
land of light, varigated flowers and
pleasant atmosphere whicn greeted
them on their entrance into the theater
That the ball was Q success
financially was the information CIV
en- by the gentlemen having in
undertaking, and that 1t was q sue
cess socially was evident to the most
casual observer who might have looked
for the briefest moment over that great
company which seemed to distill con-
tagion Of pleasure and beauty into the
very air.
About Q o'clock the guests began to
arrive rapidly, and were taken in
charge by the reception committee i'm
mediately upon alighting from their
carriages. where an ingenious system
Of duplicate cab checks had been pro-
vdied which guarded against any con-
fusion occurring in locating their car
riages at the end of the evening. En-
trance to the theater was made from
the Penn avenue side, which was cano-
pied from the curb to the doorway. A
pleasing arrangement Of green decora-
tions and potted plants at the vestibule
suggested to the incoming guests the
artistic effect and lavish floral display
which awaited them in the interior.
DECORATIONS OF THE THEATER.
The decorating of the house had cen
placed in the hands of Clark the florist,
and that gentleman fully sustained the
reputation he has gained In that class
OF work. The bronze pillars support
ing the balcony We're wound with
heavy folds Of Florida sm,lax. The
slender Moorish columns and circular
arches over and around the boxes were
treated with the same material as a
background decoration, around which
was set hundreds Of potted Easter
lilies, variagated tulips. hyancinths,
whose heavy tropical odor was so pro-
| nounced as to be almost oppressive;
aZelias of many coiors and GOLDEN
euninimus. The effect of great
sprays Of the snowy spirea, which was
scattered around in front Of this dark
green ground work was particularly
pleasing.
The gallery. which from the dancing
floor resembled huge pyramid OF
green vegetation, was fringed in the
font rows with several tiers of tan
Easter lilies, which seemed to lend an
eject Of light and airlness to the entire
upper portion of the Interior
The stage was enclosed at the rear
and on either side by wood scenes Sc
lected from the stage scenery. Through
this scenery openings had been made
on both sides Of the stage and beauti-
ful fcstoons of strung flowers were
raised over them in an arch shaped
manner. All of the canvass rested be-
hind banks of green and colors which
went far to further the deception of
the original scene painting. From the
electric organ which is elevated high
over the stage Droscenium to the rail-
ing of the upper balcony were strung
immense ropes Of cut-fowers Of every
description. These stringers number
ing six or seven, seemed to lend the
idea Of a great canopy extending over
the whole dancing floor. The temper
ary floor, which extended back to the
loges, was bordered about its entire cir
| cult with floral effects.
IN THE FOYER.
No decorations other than those OF
the florist were permitted in the main
| room of the theater. In the Foyer, on
| the Wyoming side of the house, the
| draper was afforded an opportunity tc
display his art. A corps Of men unde,
the direction of Goldsmith Bros. were
busy all day yesterday In Transforming
the ordinarily pretty entrance way into
the charming promenade and retreat
which it was last evening. Heavy
valour curtains were hung over each
| opening into the auditorium, and q
profusion Of rich rugs were thrown
about with an artistic negligence quite
oriental in tone. A booth had beer
erected for the mammoth punch bowl
which occupied its post of honor in this
part of the house, and this was beauti
fully draped in shades Of light pinl
and green silk. The Foyer was KEEP
open for promenade and not encum
bered with unnecessary chairs or table!
as has been the case on former occa'
sions of this character. Numerou.
| lamps were placed about whose sof
glow was a relief to eyes made tiret
by the dazzling lights of the main room
Dressing rooms were provided for th'
ladies on the second and third floors
with maids in attendance. The gentle
men were similarly looked after by ex
pert colored servants on the third ant
fourth floors.
THE DANCE PROGRAMME.
The dancing began at about 9.3
o'clock. Professor Bauer's entire mu
steal force was out numbering in th
band and orchestra thirty-six pieces
The programme which was a mos
carefully selected and arranged list o
| musical numbers consisted of twent,
dances, the music for which was fur
nished by the orchestra and twenty on
intermissions in the form Of promen
ade and two-steps, which were en-
joyed to the enliveninE and more splr
tied measures of the band. The tota
programme. numbering forty-one sc
lections In all occupied the event un
til long after the older guest re
tired to their homes and left young
er contingent in possession Of tn
house. The programme in its entiret,
was as follows:
DANCES.
Orchestra.
I. Waltz, "Strand Idyllen."
9, Ianciers, paris by Night"
q Waltz Don't Ee Cross"