The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-26
At THE AUSTRIAN SOCIETY BAIL.
Novel Methods of Raising Money for the
Austrian Poor of the CITY.

Novel Methods of Raising Money for the
Austrian Poor of the City.
In the popular mind there has always exist
ed an idea that the ordinary church fair. with
its various anticing snares for the man with n
pocketbook, could carry off the palm at any
time for separating a man from his money.
There TO-. however. an institution that can
give the church fair cards and spades and all
the casinos of half a dozen packs and then
roll up a score in the treasury that will make
the church fairs receipts look almost literally
like 30 cents" That is the Austrian Singing
Society of this city.
This organization has given. II is said. nine
teen ortwenty annual balls for sweet charity in
this city. The proceeds 20 to the Austrian
poor. hut n man who watches one OF these affairs
is inclined TO think that all the Austrian poor
must soon become rich unless they spend a
great deal OF money. At least. that was the con-
cIusion one man reached who attended the an
nual ball OF the society at the Grand Central
Palace last Tuesday night. a sort Of village
government. that had been previously chosen
; il n burlesGue town hall there was a fat, Jolly
! near to the dancing space. and there were con.
stables. village policemen and other officers
enG thsn Of v vi p Z sa" Wien the grand march 81
was over they began their work OF collecting.
The. frar had perhaps the most interesting
lop vi oAH 'AiN' " - $3.50 '
dancers wants u partner he asks,
Miss hlank; are y3u married., -. oon,,nn
| matrimonial complication in an" way. If she
says that abe is married and can show n gilt
ring on her finger the young sutton imme-
| diately suggests thai she obtain a divorce;
AS tho new sutton will lay all the expenses OF
this legal freedom. the pair wend their way to
the priest.
"A divorce. eh?" he asks in German or dia-
lect. ''That is good. The Church forhlds it,
but there are ways TO overcome the difficulty.
The girl hands her gilt. ring to the priest.
who Immediately breaks i. and then having
nounces the girl free to marry again. This
ceremony he performs for 10 cents more ana
the pair GO away and Join the dancers In a
TN burlesnue policemen are even more
vigilant and crashing. They act Ike Russian
spies hunting for Anarchists; No CONVERSE
they hear a man addressing his, companion
by her first name thoy immediateiy arrest the
NJ man so nma e safe n" That to ~ an ordinary obaerveT
! appears as terrible as itsr majestic. The Mayor
hears the evidence for "A few minutes and then
| Invariably sentences the criminal 10 nay a fine
Of 10 or 20 cents. according to the ehormity
These policemen also keepa watchful eye on
the SMOKING rooms and other points where
the Indifferent dancers congregate. No mau
who Is smoking, a cigar that isn't OF the brand
that is sold at the %society's cigar stand i sale
norant or daring smoker u heavy fine;
One thing, that attracts a strangers atten-
One Of the dancers explained II all.
Every one he said. has to wear one OF
those sprlGs. which he has to buy. II you
Austrian. and yon are liable to instant arrest
and heavy line. You'd better bay one right
over there now. Hurry up, There comes the
The stranger bought one and hurried out,
thanking his stars. that he had car fare left.