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 80 are you.

That is what one cf the young soldiers said
to his fair partcer last Thursday night and
thst about summed up the situation. The
arnory itself looked like 81 corner from fairy
land-Americaa fairy land, for the natocel
colors were every where-red, white and blue.
Where there were not hags there was buot.
ing, AID twinug in and out of everything
wss the green smilax.
The decorating Of the hall wss under the
cna7ee of Misses Noise. Manning and Cooke,
who had volunteered their time end lsooc tc
the company for the occasion. Under their
skilful haoda, sud directed by their nimbTe
and fertile wits the bare hall was sooa trans.
formed 10 3 bower of beauty. Back of the
music etand large United States flag was
draped between the two windows. In the
folds of the flag was pinned shield aud
eagle Smilex descended on each side and
was gathered under the flag. Over each
window in the back was more smilax, while
small fags we're crossed ABOVE The music
etand 10 Toe rear of the hall was carpeted 10
,ed aud draped With bunting, with which
the steps were covered Beside the stand on
either hand was stack OF arms, and above
the bayonets from the inuzzle of the guns
waved the coiors. Smilas twined over the
arms, midway 10 the hall being the old S. l..
l. Confederate flag showing irs wounds and
tears Bunting was drawn the eotire leogth
of the north wall aud was gathered at each
window and column. Above each window
and on each panel between hag5 were crossed
and at each intersection was bunch of
smila1 Over The opposite wall long vines
of smiIax was most effectively trailed, while
groups of flags relieved with color the white
aud green.
But the moes striking piece Of decoration
in the whole of the armory was the wall to
the lett of the entrance floor. Here Capt.
Lee had worked out a design 10 flags and
smilax which vas most fs.vorably commented
on by all.
Across the ceiling forming diamonds and
triangles ran the bunting, falling to the floor
in each corner in a graceful fold. Even here
however, the tire!ess workers did not cease,
for the seats and the water table were all
wrapped and earnisbed with color. The
owner Of the water cooler objected to its
being puoctured With tack, so at last the
decorations came to an end.
But the dance itself7 That of course could
not be otherwise than success Hiog!iog
with the 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 aud tho white strips of the
"non-coms Those OF tbs company who
were detailed with the baod furnished the
straius to which all kept time, and the dance
music of the Fourth Regiment Band was
pronounced great success the time especial
ly being perfect. About 25 couples and
maay more stags enjoyed dance after dance
uatil the supper was served, and after that
Lieut. Burgess whistle kept the german
going until after 3 when the order to retreat
wss sounded, apd the forces retired ia good
order
The supper, under the direction of Hessrs.
Hood and Aud, was quite excellent and well
served. L; consisted of turkey with Gran
berry, ham, lnin bread snd butter, olives,
salad. pickles, coffee and f:ui:
Eeery one is thoroughly satisfied with last
nights entertainment The comp ny had
PSI, forth their best effjrts, and they we1e
crow3eG with success.
Somo OF TIE visitors we'e
Mlsses Eolcomne ard Bsrrwe enc HT.
Frie5son, Statcenre: Mss Nav Wilson,
Manoinc siiss Iia Nangho. Csm3ea; Miss
Cooke Ricbuoud Hiss Simon, Fioreace
Miss Cchen, "a:ai ingtou Ass, Acj and
ms Gen J. D Frost, Columbia Courisr
Broen Hyatt, Columbia: Mr. Bait, Char
lotto