The herald., 1897-04-25

there were. in plenty, some of whom
should have been home, but the midgets
were for the most part inoffensive, their
pertness being overlooked-for it was
"All Fools Night" The young man from
the suburban towns, and his best girl,
out for frolic, were also a conspicuous
feature, and the way in which these in
nocents destroyed peanuts and devoured
the innocuous popcorn was sight that
did the spectators good, and did much to
restore public confidence in human ma
ture.
AS early as o'clock the fun began.
Horns Of all shades of tone, rattles Of
all sizes, and every contrivance that
could be cotceived for making a noiss
was brought into requisition to add
to the general jollity, into which every
one entered most heartily.
There were costumes of every i'm
aginable design that could be made to
look ridiculous, though dominoes of va
rious shades and Mother Hubbards
seemed to be the favorite costumes
among the male population. The queens
prime ministers and lancers in gro
tesque burlesque jostled elbows with
ClOWilSs liduiPop 4idldho, AS6lO OCS dlN
representations of every nationality
Joined fortunes with each other in the
tireless parade up and down the streets.
A dilapidated individual in a suit much
the worse for wear, with an old lantern
and buggy whip. was placarded, "I, am
looking for my wife," another dragged
big green frog along with a string,
and some other feeble attempts were
made to be funny, but for the most part
people amused themselves laughing at
each other. The spectators who crowd
ed the sidewalks were greeted with
friendly salutations by the maskers
as they passed, but there was no undue
familiarity. and a noticeable absence
of the rough jostling of past years.
Under the protection Of a mask men
seem to be fond of dressing themselves
in the flowing skirts Of women, and
some women avail themselves of the
opportunity to wear mems clothes and
false mustaches. There were many of
both on the streets last evening. The
windows and doors of \he business
buildings were filled with people who
enjoyed the fun, and many were bril-
liantly lighted to add gaiety to the
scene.
The crowd was good-natured and
jolly, out for good time, and everybody
seemed to have it,
AS has been stated the arrangements
were much better than at any previous
celebration of our annual festival. The
police and other city officials profited by
the lessons of the past and governed
themselves accordingly. At $3.50 o'clock
all street cars on Spring street, between
First and Fifth, were stopped and every
vehicle was removed, the entire street
being given up to the maskers until IL 80
o'clock. and while there was no positive
regulation against it, the maskers of
their own accord kept off the sidewalks,
which were thus left for the spectators
In consequence, there was plenty Of
room, and at no time was there any par
ticular difficulty in moving back and
forth.
The saloons. of course, did a rushing
business. but all the doors and curtains
to the back rooms were removed and the
crowds were kept on the move.
About II o'clock the crowds began leav-
ing for their homes. and at 1880, when
the festivities were supposed to close,
according to the ordinance thew were