The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-28

known Of Washington's young ladies
who will grace the great occasion with
their presence.
Mrs. John u. Henderson, wife of EX-
Senator John b. Henderson, in reply TO
the query as to whether she would at
tend the ball, said smilingly:
Il hardly think we shall 30. You see,
we have reached the point at which we
confine ourselves to dinners. We have
lived here so long that such occasions
have become an old story, and we have
stepped out TO let the newer members
take our places"
What has been your experience at
the balls which you have attended, Miss
Henderson," 1 asked:
"Weu, It's about this way" she
laughingly replied. "When once you
get in, it is almost impossible to get out
again, and it, by and by you lose your
escort you never find him again during
the whole evening. When you come out
YOU stand for hours (m0re or les)
waiting for your carriage, and the re-
suit Is that many society women are
often taken very III after inauguration
day as a result Of colds caught while
standing on the streets i'm evening
dress"
In regard TO this matter | questioned
the Inaugural committee, who have the
ball in charge. They told me that they
had taken every possible precaution
against this very thing. An arrange
ment has been made by which those
who hire carriages take the first one
they come to, when they come out. i'm
stead of waiting for the particular con-
veyance that brought them there Driv-
ers OF private carriages are provided with
large placards upon which is displayed
in plain figures, the number Of the car
rage, and this is 70 be placed in such
a position that by means Of a flash
light il can easily be seen at consid-
cradle distance.
The managers have broken over all
the old rules in decorating the building.
Heretofore" said Mr.. Roessle, who
is chairman Of the committee, "the
decorations have been such as to ruin
the dress Of every woman who went In
there. The brilliant red, white and blue
bunting is a poor background for
dresses of dainty hue. and the stacks
OF heavy arms standing around in all
sorts Of places have been menace 20
fragile materials-especialy I'M the
great crush that is inevitable at such
a gathering.
1--WE shall use Ga. 600 yards Of white and
gold bunting in carrying out our
scheme. From the center of the ceiling
is TO be suspended a great white and
gold dome. held I'm place by an iron
hoop thirty-hve feet i'm diameter from
which festoons Of bunting reach out 10
the pillars of the gallery. The walls
and a portion Of the pillars VIII also pe
hung with bunting"
The same idea Of white and gold is 20
be observed in the arrangement Of the
electric lights. which are to have FROST
ed globes and gilt rods.
1t will be easier TO see the decora-
tions the morning after d.e BAN when
the crowd has dispersed. Those who
avail themselves Of the opportunity will
see a picture something like this:
The fountain in the center Of the
court playing beneath the white and
gold canopy overhead Around it a rus
tic grotto with ferns, lilies of the val
ley, and vines interspcrslng. Palms
towering up around each of the eight
columns TO the height of thirty feet,
and at their base various golden yellow
towering plants, such as genestas,
icacias, jonQui.s, tulips, etc.
The balconies are TO be trailed with
southern smilax and the stairWays
matched with evergreens.
The hand stand, where Victor Her
bert is to preside over Gimore's famous
band, viii be patterned after the en-
trance TO the Transportation Building
at the Worlds Fair representing the
golden gateway From The music
stands will extend I'm graceful festoons,
caught here and there by Amphion
vreaths. streamers supported &C the
apex by a huge eagle. The streamers
viii bear the names of the President
and Vice President.
The committee viii provide refresh
ments for 10000 people, and they expect
TO sell 5000 tickets. As these tickets
are s. apiece and as no one except the
President and Nice-President IFS 20 re-
ceive a complimentary admission. IL is
easy 20 see how the bah pays for Itself.
and together with the concerts which
follow on Friday and Saturday, de-
trays the expenses OF the free ceremo-
MES Of the day so that those who have
been disturbed over the lavish eXpendi-
lures of money for the occasion need
have no fears for the depletion OF the
National Treasury on that score.
Copvrlght. 1897. by A. L. Woods.