The evening times., 1897-03-05

The first promenade concert at the Pen
sion office at 1880 o'clock this morning
had an attendance of 300 to 500. 1t was
hard 60 estimate the number, as they were
scattered over the center and east end OF
the big room, and there were twice as
many at the close or the concert as AT the
beginning The music was furnished by
Herben's Band and the Columbus Glee
Club, The latter under the leadership Of
Mr. w II. Lott. 1t was good, ana appre-
ciated.
The magnificent decorations of the build
ing were not marred noticeably by the
use for a ballroom. Most of the flowers
and foliage are out of reach of injury by
the pushing of crowds. In one or two
places on the stairwaysth the smilax had been
broken or wilted little, but this injury
can all be repaired without trouble.
The damp weather is favorable to the
maintenance OF the beauty of the ballroom
during these two days W bile the coBcertsare
going on, a nd will make it possible for all
who wish TO see the place at itsbest This
is one of the chief attractions, and helps
to account for the crowd that was already
~
2 clock.
The caterer has already removed from
the rooms, and everything else not part
OF the decorations is being put away and
the rooms set i'm order. The room will
be entirely cleared between the close OF
the last concert tomorrow night and
O'Clock Monday morning At that hour
everything must be in its place and the
regular course of pension business will
be resumed.
The cuGcert this morning was in honor
of the United states army as represented
by Gen. Nelson A Miles IL had been
stated that the concert would begin at
IL O'Clock, and for that reason com
pararively small number were present 10
see gen. Miles and bis staff at the
opening.
The band led off with an overture. fol
lowed by Lacombes Spring Serenade,"
ana the finale from verdi's Aida"
The ohio club, which stopped on its way
to tie building to give two serenades, was
in excellent trim for the -Artillerist's
Oath,'' which was sung effectively, and
was followed with Scott's New Hail CO.
lunbia.''
The serenades were to Gen. Alger, at
the Arlington, and Major John W Dick,
Mr.. Hanna's secretary, at the Ebhu.
After Mr Earnest II. Clarks trombone
solo, The Lost Chord the club sang
again The Gay Pilgrim, a rollicking
students song. They were encored, and
sang piece sympathetic with pathos as
they rendered If, called The Soldiers
Farewell The Glee Club will sing again
tonight and leave for home at 11:3o. The
band concluded the concert with n number
OF selections, which were thoroughly en-
joyed These included The Starlight
Waltz from Mr. HeTbert's opera, THE
Wizard Of the Nile"
The concert is stricly promenade, as
given tins morning. There were seats
enough in the balconies. but almost none
on the main floor. ANY lack IN this
regard will be retnedied AZ future concerts.
The tickets for the concerts are on sale
at the inaugural committee headquarters,
No. I41e street. first floor; at Droop's.
No. 925 Pennsylvania avenue; Smiths,
No. 1925 Penn sylvania avenue; Sanders
& stayman, No. 1927 F street, and
at the Pension Office. The price b. 80
cents The inaugural souvenirs are also
on sale at the headquarters and Pension
Office.