The morning times., 1897-01-02
BLOWS STRUCK At THE BALL
Lively Times at the Jelly Three's
Cake Walk.
JEALOUS DANCER PUT OUT
After Ripple of Excitement Had
Subsided Festivities Were RE
newed-"Lord Brun mel" Was
Master of Varied
COStu mes Worn.

The Jolly Three Social Club, No 1, held
its regular New Years cake walk, prize
waltz and ball last night at the armory
of the Washington Cadets, on o street
northwest between Seventh and Eighth
streets. 1t was not a mere function IJ
is history in the colored circles Of the city
Men were there VINO in the daytime pose
as proprietors OF shine eInporiuns, wait
ers, head walters, porters, janitors, dri-
vers, buffers, cooks, sweeps, BARRIERS, huck-
sters and lords OF leisure. Their partners
were cooks, ctamhernaids, school girls
and ladies OF leisure.
As at the Presidents reception at the
White House durIngthe day, ,conyentionaliiy Y
OF dress barred none. Men wore dress
suits. They appeared in Prince Alberts
and trousers that on a clear day could
have been heard for blocks. Frock coats
were worn A haberdasher could have
made the selection of neck scarfs of his
life. They varied in hue from brilliant
evrmilIion, set with real glass that sparliIed
and glistened beneath the nickcring lights,
to the sornber shades Of conventional black
or in the other direction, to the immacu-
late tinge OF snow. And there were
others who wore no tie, no collar, no
cuffs and no vest. A lack OF the price Of
admission was the only effectual barrier
Mingling of Colors.
Conditions similar prevailed among the
partners. Rich blue, and pink, and red
gowns, cut 10 reveal ebony necks, rustled
and trained and brushed against plaidS
and gin ngha ms and calico.
Amid and above the dizzy thropg, men
with great blue badges on their coats,
ushered and presided over the ceremonies.
The biggest OF them all was Mr.. Thomas
Hall, president OF the club, Respondent
in a dress suit and spotleSs shirt, and with
spats that might well have been the envy
OF the rainbow. Upon a platform was
stationed an orchestra of score or more
of pieces. In corner was a lunch counter
whore fried chicken, pigs feet, and clam
broth brought fabulous sums from hungry
dancers.
The orchestra set up merry tune The
dancers reeIed, they clinched, they 'Swang, =
they bowed, whirled, marched, paused.
Each gentleman carried his hat and his
cane in hand. FIashy handkerchiefs waved
in the breeze from high coat pockets.
The cut glasses sparked beneath the lights.
Tie dizzy maze ceased. The music
stopped. Some one had given the signal
a diguitary was coming up the steps.
''Dat's i'm, dat's i'm was heard on
every side.
The top OF silk tile appeared above the
board bannister around the stairway. The
head and face followed. Where the ears
left off white collar began. A white tie
encircled the bottom OF it. Il great, white
expansc OF fluffy, frlIy shirt, followed by
a chest and stomach, TO be lost in me thin
border OF vest as yellow as the dandelion
Lord BrummeI's" Appea rance.
In the center OF the fluffy linen twin
kled stone. And such a stone. wal
nut would look well TO its honors 10 cope
with it in size. A lighthouse might use
it for a reflector. A black coat and black
trousers did the rest, until pair OF white
overgaiters hid the tops OF patent leath-
ers. 1t was Mr. Thomas Fl Douglass Smith,
otherw wise known as Lord Brummel,"
master of ceremonies.
Silence reigned until he had taken his
seat He was a feature. His coming was
an event. JOY followed: noisy Joy But it
was short-lived. Mary Livingstone had
grabbed the arm OF Maud PowclFS beau
1t might do on ordinary occasions, but never
at the ball OF the Jolly Three.
Maud allowed her hand 10 swiftly seek
reposc in Mary's face. Mary went to the
floor, and. like an Amazon, Maud followed
the advantag she had gained The beaux
exchanged looks and words and then blows.
A numher Of white folk had gathered To
act as judges at the walk The ladies
screamed. The dancers only laughed aud
crowded about the center Of hUstilities.
The men with the big blue badges fastened
there, too. Maud was dropped hastily
down the stairs The patrol carried her
to the station. The dance went on