The daily morning Alaskan., 1899-05-07

social and artlStlc aitalt ln tne HlSlOlN oi Skagway. lt was labor of love on the par. of the ladies, and through their untir- ing zeal and energy they were able to net the total of s2oo, which will go to the fund for furnishing the church. The off eers of this Ladies' Aid Society are: Pres ident, Mrs. Hillory; viie president, Mrs. Battin; treasurer, Mrs. Ford. The ladies wisely appointed Mrs. H. E. Battin as gen eral chairman of the festival, and they are unanimous in thelr declaration that the great financial success of the affair was ex- cluslyely due to her splendid management.
 Elaborate preparations were made for decorating Presbyterian hall and erecting the several booths, and by Monday even ing, May Day, ;he festival burst into bloom like a flower garden of buds that had been lmpereeptiblv coming to a head. The hall was tastefully arehed and fes- tooned with evergreens, with eozy booths on all sides, each trimmed in gay distne- tive shades or eolors. Each of these booths was "thing of beauty" protect ing beauty, in which art yelled utility so eunnlngly that a golden harvest was the result. On entering the hall the eye was attracted to the brilliant eolors of the Ian terns and sunshades of the Japanese gar den in the back of the hall on the stage. In the center of this stood the gaily rib- boned May pole. Here Mrs. Ford, aided by Miss Bertha Sehlbrede, Miss Water house and Miss Brower, "Three little maids from school" in lovely Japanese costumes, served tea, waters and smiles to all fortunate enough to find places at their little bamboo tables. Had the young Mi kado, travelling ineognito, wandered into this garden. who knows which of the.three might have been invited to share his throne.
 The flower booth, beautiful green and white bower, also proved most attractive, for the reason that natural flowers are a rarity in Skagway in winter, and these had been imported from Seattle. The re- suit was that they were all sold long be- fore the evening was over. This booth was in charge of Mrs Frank Burns, and the first evening Misses Cora Lewis and Blanche Sherpv assisted in dlsposng of the plants, flowers and boutonneres, and secured rrees that would soon have en- riched a Puget sound florist. Here, how ever, and on such on occasion, and received from such talr hands, they would have been cheap at double the price. Then the flower stand became a lemonade well, and paid, if not quite so well, still very well.
 over the annex door stood this chilling legend, "lce Cream" That room, beauti' fully trimmed in white and eYergreens, proved all too small for the crowds and patrons who waited their turn. This room was in charge of Mrs. N. K. Wilson and Miss Dickev, and had a retinue of assist ants, namely, Miss Block, Miss Estelle Block, II. G. Kline, Mrs. B. Johnson, Mrs. Hostetter and Mrs Bradley. Also MeSsrs. Diemar, Edwards and Block, with MT. Nlcodemus in the supply room. One of this eoterie. a poetical "cuss," decorated the wall with this prophet; suggestion;
 "You'll scream.
 And l'l scream,
 When you taste
 Our ice cream.'
 Returning to the hall from these mine amus.s" the seeker after more nectar sought the Candy booth, fairy land of sweets m white and lavender with clematis in bloom twining the pillars and arches so natural that one man was caught attempt ing to break off one of the flowers from its stem, but as wire wouldn't break he dropped 1t and squared himself by buying s2 worth of candy. This booth was in charge of five fairies in white an ! violet, known ia every day life as Miss Grace Laird, Miss Helen Ford De Succa, Miss Everest, Miss Fauar and Miss Johnston. Such irresistible solicitors could have sold anything, even Atlin mines, and the result was that thev soon disposed of their large stock of delicious candies, most of which was mads by themselves and friends.
 The last but not the least attractive of tbe five booths was the one to the left Of the entrance, in yellow and green, devoted to the sale of eurios and photographs. This collection ot art treasures was ar ranged by Mrs. Snyder, Mrs. Church and Mrs. Bogardus, and were assisted by Miss Ednl Sengfelder and Miss Marie Church. This lovely work was a symphony in vel low, suggested by one of Ministers fa- nous exhibits where yellow background so enhanced his charming etchings. lt was lighted from its eanopled top by cleo trcty, and the beautiful Indian baskets and pictures with which the walls of the booth were hung, seemed more like art decorations than wares for sale. Miss Sengfelder and Miss Church, the fai young hostesses of this miniature art pal lace were kept very busy entertaining thei many friends from whom they secured sub stantial results in exchange for their wares
 Before 8 o'clock last Monday evening tn, hall was crowded, and in spite of the man, beautiful things to look at there, every on, was eagerly watching for the arrival of tn May Queen and her attendants. Tn May pole procession was formed at Mrs Hillerv's and had been arranged by Mrs Church. A passage was opened througI the dense crowd by the handsome littl pages stretching white ribbons from tn door to the stage. While the orehestr