The San Francisco call., 1897-01-01


made the likeness to the quicksilver god
quite complete. However, on his shoul-
ders were fastened a big pair of TURKEY
wings that huttered in his movements
quite birdllke.
The graceful pinions savored of Cupid,
but the old chaps gray whiskers made the
Father Time manifestly apparent.
At s O ock the scream of a bugle an
nounced the coming of an important per-
sonage, and the King of the Fiesta rode
into the street. His majesty's charger was
inclined to jump the contract of uphold
ing a monarchial institution and scurrys
back TO the stable, but was persuaded to
remain with the circus by tight rein.
The sovereign looked every inch king,
according to the pictures of those individ-
uals, and fitted into his place in the carni-
val right royalty. He was attended by
troop of mounted courtiers and guards in
mask and followed by military band OF
music.
Then came carriages containing the off,
GERS of the fiesta and the players OF the
court. There was also long line of dec
grated vehicles representing the business
firms of Polk street.
During the parade rockets, bombs and
Roman candles were let off, filing the air
with brilliant flashes of colored light.
Every other person was armed with fish,
horn, and the noise they made was deaf
ening.
When the clocks told the end of the old
year preparations for firing the pyrotec-
! mic pieces were made, and all stood ready
to witness the display.
At the stroke of midnight the entire
street was blaze OF glory and the mani
! pulators of the fireworks began to make
preparations to fill the sky with creations
! glorious to behold, among them many en-
blems of purely local significance, yet
many mblematicaI of the passing of the
old year.
The pieces displayed in the variation of
powder-colors were three striking pictures.
First, that of ''Old Father Time, 1896. As
it burned away a vigorous young Cupid
marked 1897 came bounding into view,
after which there came like benediction
the old, old greeting-generous, yet ever
new "a happy New Year to youP
There were many incidental pieces of
note among the fireworks. one OF which
read in haring letters, "Patronize Polk
Street"
The fifteen or twenty dancers and street
performers attracted considerable atten-
ton and applause. They were distributed
along various parts of the line of march at
proper distances, so as to amuse specta-
tors and break the monotony OF the cele-
bration.
Marshal Heintz, the king, and his cour-
tiers and the many carriages conveying
the fiesta committee made an imposing
appearance.
Among the noted guestsswere the men,
bers of the Larkin-street Improvement
Club, chaperoned by President Kohn and
Secretary Dross.
The business wagons extended for many
blocks, the line of march at night being
su bstantially the same as that of the
afternoon. The procession moved from
Van Ness avenue to Eddy street, thence
down Eddy TO Larkin, Sutter, Polk and
Jackson, with a countermarch To Sutter.
1t was the general impression of all that
the lighting and improved methods of
business will attract general attention and
stimulate local pride in business, so that
merchants will begin business in 1897 with
renewed hopes OF substantial prosp Gritty.