The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-12-20
The Military Ball.
The walls are green,
Red, white and blue,
The music is sweet
And 90 are you.

That is what Ole of the young soldiers said
to h's fair partner last Thursday night, and
that about summed no the situation. The
armory itself looked like corner from fairy
land-Americae fairy land, for the national
colors were every where-red, white and blue
Where there were not aags, there was bunt.
ing' and tw'nine in and ont Of everything
wac the green smilax.
charge OF Misses Noise. Manning and Cooke
who had volunteered their time ana labor to
the company for the occasion. Under their
skillful hands, and directed by their pimble
and fertile wits the bare hall was soon trans.
formed 10 bower of beauty. Back of the
music stand q large United States flag was
draped between the two windows. In the
folds OF the flag was pinned a shield and
eagle. Smilax descended on each side and
was gathered under the flag. Over each
window in the back was more smilax. while
small hsgs were crossed above The music
etand 10 the rear Of the hall was carpeted in
red and draped With bunting, with which
the steps were covered Beside the stand on
either hand was stack of arms, and above
The bayouets from the muzsle of the guns
waved the colors. Smilay twined over the
arms. midway in the ball being the old 8. l..
/. Confederate fag showing its wounds and
tsars Bunting was drawn the eotire len 9Th
Of the north wall and was gathered at each
window and column. Above each window
and on each panel between Hags were crossed
and at each intersection was a bunch OF
snilax. Over The opposite wall long vines
OF smiax was most effectively trsiled, while
groups Of flags relieved with color the white
and green.
But the most striking piece Of decoration
IL the whole of the armory was the wall to
the lett of the entrance fOor. Here Capt.
Lee had worked out q design iu Gags and
srailax which was most favorably ted
on by all.
Across the ceiling forming diamonds and
trianRes ran the bunting, falling to the hoor
in each corner in graceful fold. Even here
however, the tireless workers did not cease,
for the seats and the water table we're eli
wrapped and garnished with color. The
owner OF the water cooler objected to its
being puuctured With q tack, 90 at last the
decorations came to an end.
But the dance itself7 That of course cou Id
not be otherwise than q success MinrlinQ
wit tho usual dainty dresses of the maidens
and the grave black of the men was the
brighter blue Of the uniforms, with the gold
OF the officers and tho white strips of the
"non.coms," Those OF the company who
were detailed with the baod furnished the
straios to !.hich all kept time, and the dance
music Of the Fourth Regiment Band was
pronounced great success, the time especial.
ly being perfect. About 26 couples and
many more stags enjoyed dance after dance
until the supper was served, and after ,ba,
Lient Burgess whistle kept the german
going until after when the order to re,rea,
was sounded, aod the forces retired ia good
order
The supper, under the direction of Messrs.
Hood and Auld, was quite excellent and we'll
served 1t consisted of turkey with Gran.
berry, ham, thin bread and butter, olives,
salad, pickles, coffee and fruit
Every Oue is thoroughly Satisfied with last
nights entertainment The company had
put forth their best Efforts, and they were
crowned with success
Some OF the visitors were:
Misses BOlcOm0e and Barpwel and MIR.
Frierson, Statchurg; Miss Nav Wilson,
Manning Miss Ida Vaughn. Camden Miss
COOKE. Richmond Miss Simon, Florepce (:
Mics Cohen, Washington Asst Adj and
lns. Gen. j. ID Frost. Columbia Courier
Brown Hyatt, Columbia MIR. Bait, Char.
lotto