The times., 1899-01-01

horses entered were an unknown quantity.
The consequence was that though the pro-
gramme made out was full of ingenious fun
and the committee nudged each other and
winked knowingly over the prospect, there
was distinctly a runaway that was not en-
the programme.
The committee lost the reins early in the
evening and clung for dear life 10 each
other and the seats, while the merriment
sped on in good, wholesome fun without
any of that breadth which some French
and metropolitan Bohemians think is nee
essary to a real good time. The younger
set had II all 10 themselves and il is a
pity more of their elders were not on
hand to see how very funny the youngsters
could be in an atmosphere absolutely free
from the odor OF alcohol and garlic. Moth
ing stronger than lemonade was provided
nor did anyone seem TO think this fact
unusual.
Not n Costume Affair.
Ii was expected that ii would be cos
tune affair with tackey make-ups a con-
spicuous feature of the entertainment, but
most of the young people having their eye
on the dance which was 10 follow came in
evening dress. Although the water, in
consequence of this sea of conventional
clothes was little cold, for the pictur-
esque guys present, they plunged in hero
icaIly and very soon things came their way,
Dir. Chiffon, the treasurer. and one of the
pillars upon which the league has rested
safely these many years, came as coun-
1rymen in clothes having decided Teu-
tonic look Mr.. Chiffon acted as master OF
ceremonies.
Mr.. Rogers, as country constable, was
a fine bit of character makeup that would
have reflected credit upon a professional
comedian; not at all overdrawn, but just
that real thing one finds in Henrys great
picture The First Railroad Train in New
York State.' now at the CQrooran Gal
ieTy. The tempest produced by this con-
stables frantic efforts to maintain order
was uproaTious.
Il was well on in the evening when the
floor was cleared and Mr.. Spear as The
Prize Baby was trundled in in an express
cart followed by q comicsl looking lot o.:
infants The baby costumes they wore
were of that variety which belong TO ba-
bies under year old. The effect was lu-
dicrous-kids OF this age. bot upright and
walking. while the long baby dresses sug-
gested an age when the nurses knowing
hand may be seen supporting the backs of
top heavy heads.
The Prize Baby.
Mr.. Spear wore very long white gown
and baby cap which left only his dear
pink and white face exposed: solemn as
any owl ne sucked on the rubber tube from
some nursing bottle, the lower end Of
which was lost ia the depths OF a square
dark brown Mount Vernon whisky" bot
tie. Imagine the surprise Of everyone when
this progre ssiye infant began to send out
puifs Of smoke from his lips. This baby
clling with both hands 10 the nut brown
bottle as though his existence depended
= - loo han
pened-the smoke refused TO come. With
a queer expression On his face, Mr.. Spear
withdrew the tube and exposed a tiny
meerschaum cigarette holder. The mys-
terry was explained. Relighting the cigar
cite he left the wagon holding fast the
bottle in which he had replaced the lighted
cigarette and moved about among the
friends enjoying his smoke. The babies
who had just missed the priZe-short and
tall, lean ard fat blonde and brunette, all
were there. 2 Comical lot indeed.
From Miss PcTTie 10 Mr. Warner is no
short step. so far as height goes, and the
group who took baby parts, with Miss
IAerrie as the shortest and Mr. Warner as
the tallesti gave all the needed variety as
10 size.
All wore white gowns and there was
difference enough ig their designs 10 make
amusing contrasts. Miss Solomons. with
a darkcy false face and very true cos
tmue. was a conspicuously artistic cid Viz
finia nanny.
She acted her part with such energy and
ubiquitous skin os 10 deceive the crowd TO
such an extent that she was supposed 10
be one OF the most frolicsome Of the boys.
II was 2 most artistic piece OF character
acting. Nanny was vCrg attentive 10 her
brood Of overgrown y0unes ors.
The Museum.
The museum combination Of fake ex-
hibits. pictures and take offs'-was a
very strong feature OF the entertainment
Most Of these exhibits burlesqued good
humoredly the more prominent local art
lists. but there we're q few that were far
removed from anything LEGAL or artistic
One OF these, which burlesqued poor
'tTrilby." WIS grotesque and hideous as
only crowd OF art students could make
her
A plaster cast Of lips. about four times
life size. was surrounded with drapery
and surmounted by sprig Of mistletoe
This was labeled ''Hobson,' and big care
on the wall read: Ladies will please lin,
up on this side." They did not line up