The daily sentinel., 1899-06-06

| they stood side by side at last nights
event, greeting these who had come to
be present with them in the enjoyment
OF the event.
Such a scene as the Armory presented
last night will always remain most de-
lightful memory. Not beautiful in it
self, the hand of the decorator had been
given free play and the rude and unin-
viting outlines OF its interior had given
place, as il by the touch OF Aladdin's
wand, to picture sensuous, pictur-
esque, inviting and beautiful.
Festooning in every conceivable shape
and style took the place of the outlines
OF the arched ceiling, making as pretty a
scene as the eye might desire.
To the left of the entrance where
stood Mr. and Mrs. Clark, assisted by
their son and daughters, receiving, was
the music stand. During all the time
OF the assembling of the company, Prof.
Boyer's orchestra played most delight
fully.
AL '"PiotaPsu PioSi nui VI buoiS au0
recitation was rendered as the first por
tion OF the program OF the evening.
There was nothing whatever formal
about this. Tho Hill hfrth,rs tl,rd
an orchestral number. They were fol-
lowed by Miss Ollie Roberts in vocal
solo. Miss Fauss played delightfully."- a
piano solo. Miss Susa Carpenter re.
cited in her usual style of excellence.
But the fun OF the evening was reserv-
ed for the two events that took place
right at this time.
At the call OF the host the ladies took
seats in semi-circle around the hall.
Much speculation was INDUCED in as t..
the nature Of the order OF exercises to
follow. but no one ventured even a sug-
gestion of the game about to be inaugu-
rated. The spirit of conjecture was
greatly intensified when each of the
ladies was presented with a smoothly
planned board Of small Dimensions, a
ia ck hammer and some tacks in little
dish, 1t was patent to all that tack
driving contest, with the prospect of
smashed or bruised fingers in contem-
plation, was about to take place. All
visions OF bruised fingers and consequent
annoyances that might occur from the
dulled point Of the little hammer, van
ished when the host exhibited a beauti-
ful silk umbrella, as the prize to the
swiftest in this homliest OF pastimes.
At the tap OF the drum and in accord
ance with the rules OF the play laid
down the ladies' finally commenced to
drive the tacks. Such bable OF noise
was never heard in that Armory before.
Such industry OF their wives was rev.
elation to many husbands. The women
pounded the boards with desperation in
an attempt to secure the prize. Enough
force was expended in the countless
strokes OF those driving little hammers
to have propelled heavy machinery. 1t
was the most enjoy able and ludicrous
scheme for fun aud frolic ever invented.
Four minutes was the limit for work
and with perspiring faces and arms
growing sore with the unusual exertion
the ladies ,unded away. Peal after
psal OF laughter followed the efforts of
the contestants. At last, after n seem
ing age OF time, as one lady observed, "a
halt was called. All the boards were
marked with the names of the contest
ant, and the number OF tacks driven
were counted.
A glance at the boards 10 the hands
of the judges showed various degrees OF
skill in driving taeks. Some were halt
driven to the head, some driven side
ways, some bent over and come were
driven, in an evident fit Of desperation,
sideways into the wood.
While the judges were deciding upon
the largest number driven by anyone
lady, the host commanded the gentle
men to be seated in the same semi-cir-
Gle, the ladies' having retired. Here
gain was speculation. A piece Of cloth,
needle threaded and small dish of
buttons was served out to each gentle
man, A sewing button contest was on,
Here the ladies' had their reveoge in
watching the thread get twisted, knots
come upaided into the thread, pricked
fingers, and some large sized under
breath swearing, as some fellow in the
A. I'M