Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-03-12

sweeping train. The bodice was cut
low and edged with fall of rare old
| Venetian lace, which also outlined The
revers and vest and short puff sleeves
of satin and lace Mrs. Hobart wore
diamond and pear! Secklace and had
butterfly of diamonds with white
ostrich tips in her hair. She carried
an immense bouquet of American
Beauty roses.
Mrs. Mark Hanna's gown was Paris
made one of brocade satin of deep,
rich corn color The skirt vas court
train and lined with lavender silk; in
it's front was a panel in which the pat
tern of the brocade had been cut out
and filed in over jetted lace and cut
steel and brilliants, through which
the lavender lining CLEANED effective
ly. On each side of the panel were
double rows of wide futed lavender
ribbon. The bodice was embroidered
in the same manner, and in the short,
pulled sleeves across the front was a
garniture of the fine renaissance lace
and fastened with diamond pins She
wore handsome diamond necklace
and tiara of the same stones in her
hair.
The party were ushered up to the
main staircase to the front. where a
suite of rooms were reserved for them.
After few moments, in which Mrs.
McKinley's wraps were removed, the
party moved into that room, ordinarily
the office of the commissioner of pen
sions, where they received the most
distinguished guests.
Mrs Mckinley sat in a big velvet up
holstered arm chair, while the guests
were presented to her, the President
standing at her right. General Wilson
made the presentations, and to each of
those who paid their respects Presi-
dent Mckinley gave cordial hand
shake.
1t soon became apparent that Mrs.
Mckinley would not be able to receive
the public, so after she had been in
the building half an hour, it was
thought best by Mr.. Mckinley that
she should retire from the exciting
turmoil. Therefore the doors were
closed against many notables who de-
sired to enter. President and Mrs.
Mckinley and the remainder of the
party descended to the dancing floor.
Before the Presidential party emerged
upon LIle IOOT. IL lOup lldt OCCh
made across the hall, lined by men,
bers of the ball committee. The Pres
ident, with Mrs. Mckinley on his arm,
moved slowly along, smiling and bow
ing in response to the low murmur OF
greetings from both sides. Mrs Nc
Kinley smiled happily and sweetly.
The party entered supper room at
the west end of the building, espec-
tally reserved and decorated for them.
Here they partook of light refresh
ments. In few minutes they emerged
from the supper room and returned as
they had come, through an aisle cleared
for them. President and Mrs. McKin-
ley Immediately entered their carriage
and were driven back to the White
house. 1t was shortly after IL o'clock
when they took their departure. The
ball was now formally opened.
Later supper was served and the re-
mainder of the evening was given up
to the dancing, as the crowd had
thinned out sufficiently to permit it.
The human element of the ball was,
after the building had begun to fill up,
it's most interesting factor with the
democracy of the great social event of
inaugural impressing inself upon Wis
itor. City and country, society and Of
fcialdom, even black and white,
touched elbows on friendly terms in
the great rotunda. Among the fash
ionably gowned women of New York's
four hundred and from the society peo-
pie of every American city were the
visitors from rural towns In the ka-
leldescope of costumes was tumble OF
Paris, London, New York, Oshkosh
and Kennebunkport. Perhaps tenth
of the men were not arrayed in the for
NAL evening coat, but, nevertheless,
the stronger sex gave its share of bril-
liancy to display by the outpouring OF
uniforms. There were the diplomats,
late corners all of them. they were
Respondent in scarlet and gold and
green, and the grand silks of the
Orient, with enameled orders shining
from their breasts and clanking swords
which tripped them as they walked.
There was also the plain, but more
stalwart contingent of the army and
navy, together with divers uniforms of
the crack military regiments of manv
cities. The silks, satins, diamonds and
pearls of the ladies were, of course,
the chief, and to the SEX the most in
teresting features of the human show.
Here and there among the promenad-
ers was to be seen colored couple,
for all the constitutional amendments
are respected at an inaugural ball.
OF dancing there was none during
the first two hours and little there
after. for the floors were much too
crowded to dance with comfort and
most of the visitors chose rather to
watch the display than to risk their
toes and garments in the crush.
CLEVELAND GOES FISHING.