Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-02

A great deal was expected for the
! closing social Of the delightful series
which the Worcester Light Infantry
have been giving during the winter;
| but hardly any one expected the bril-
| liant ball which brought the commands
social season to an end Tuesday even
| ing. From time to time, the predictions
regarding the event have given prom
| Use OF very charming and largely-at-
tended affair, but the members Of the
/ company and committee, those who
| were most interested in the success of
| the affair, could hardly have anticipated
a ball which was on par with the elab-
crate events which have been held at
| Mechanics Hall. No party the Infan-
| try has ever given has been more en-
| joyable. To be sure, at past social
| events, more military guests have been
present, a more expensive orchestra has
been secured, dancing has been contin-
ued until early morning, and the deco
rations have been both elaborate and
expensive; but for a select and dressy
party Tuesday nights ball has never
been exceeded. The gowns of the la
dies were never more charming and eff
fective and the attendance has seldom
been larger
The military guests were few, but the
officers of the local militia companies,
squad Of cadets from the Highland Mil
itary Academy, and few members of
the naval reserve of Springfield and
scattering guests from other military or
CARNATIONS, both il and ~out Of town.
gave the needed variety in the way of
uniforms to the floor, and mingling
with the sombre evening dress Of the
civilians and the charming gowns of
the ladies, helped to make the picture a
rare and Fascinating one
The decoration of the drillshed, car
ried out under the skilful direction of
Sergt. w. e. Fairbanks, was simple, but
intensely effective, AT the head of the
shed star. made up of 400 incandescent
lights, formed the centre of a large sun
burst of yellow bunting, which entire
ly hid that end of the shed Strips of
the bunting extended around the hall,
relieved here and there with state mot
toes, state and company notices,
banked by the, national colors. The front
Of the gallery was very beautifully
draped in orange and white. and palms
and potted plants formed a screen on
the music platform, half way down the
east side of the shed. that completely
hid the musicians from view.
Everything from beginning to end
went off with vim and a snap De-
lays might have been reasonably ex-
pected, owing to the large crowd but
there were none. The music Of the
Light Infantry orchestra could not have
been more bright or vivacious, and ev-
cry round dance was encored enthusi-
astically thus making it impossible to
run in several extras as was planned
The guests came early, and as early
as half-past early corners were alight-
ing from carriages in front of the ar
mory. From that time on until half-past
steady stream OF people poured in
at the great doors. A few choice bou-
quets of cut flowers made the reception
room Of the ladies inviting, and later
many Of the couples found pleasure in
quiet tete-a-tetes there.
Ushers escorted guests to the drill
shed as fast as possible and long be-
fore the time for the opening of the
dancing all the seats were taken, and
it was necessary TO bring in extra set
tees. From to $50 a concert program
was given, consisting of the following
numbers:
March .......,............. Thunderer
Overture ................. Light Cavalry
Piccolo solo ............. Tom Tit Polka
CIV. L. Cheney0
few minutes before o'clock the
ceremony of trooping the colors was per-
formed by a squad of eight men, in
very eHecllNe MANNER. Inc colof pear
ers, four in number, accompanied by as
many guards, marched in with the col
ors, and as they did SO, with the band
playing a lively march. the lights We're
turned down, amp the great star at the
head of the hall flashed FORTH Thunder
Gus applause broke out from all sides.
A few minutes later, after the squad
had marched off, the strains of the first
waltz broke forth, and a moment later
the floor was a dizzy whirl of beautiful
color and moving forms. The Portland
fancy, two-step, schottische, waltz, lam
GERS, two-steD, quadrille and two-step,
followed in quick succession, filing in
the time before intermission
rush was made for the refreshment
tables. at the south end Of the nall. but
Caterer Rebboli had everything in read
mess. and the great crowd was sup
piled without confusion and with little