The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-05
LAWN FETE DRAWS A CROWD.
Opening of the benefit for the
Georgetown University Hospital.

The lawn fete for the benefit OF the
Georgetown University Hospital, which
is being held under the direction of
Trinity Catholic Church, on the George
town University campus, had an au-
spicious opening last evening. There was
a large attendance and a considerable
sum was netted for the contingent fund
of the hospital. The fete will continue
tonight and tomorrow, and each evening
some new attraction will keep the occa-
sion free from monotony. Thursday
evening there will be n vaudeville enter
tainment and on Friday a euchre party
will be held. All the proceeds go TO
the contingent fund of the hospital.
The athletic field to the north of the
university buildings with the running
track was utilized for the occasion.
Electric lights had been strung all about
the enclosure. There were a large num-
Der OF booths arranged in the form OF
circle. Benches and chairs were scat
tered all about on the grass. The booths
were gayly decorated with bunting of the
national colors, with flowers and
branches of trees upon which the leaves
were of the reddish tinge that presages
the approach of autumn. AS one entered
the grounds the scene presented was
brilliant one.
Throngs of visitors wandered idly from
one booth to another willingly purchas-
ing refreshments or fancy articles Of
fered for sale. Girls in light dresses
offered for sale cigars and flowers, and
urged men and women alike to take
chance in rattle for tea set or a table.
or some other article that had been do
mated to the managers of the fete. Near
the entrance &c the circle of booths there
was platform which the Marine
Band was stationed and rendered music
throughout the evening. Nearly opposite
YVES large booth over which a sign an
nounced the -Four Johns This was
known as a paddle stand. and was the
best money maker on the ground.
large crowd was always before it buying
paddles on which cert numbers were
painted. If one held a lucky number he
would draw a prize of some description,
ranging from sack of cornmeal or an
iron saucepan to bottle of wine.
Next to this booth there was a stand
where one might win a cigar if he sue
ceeded in throwing baseball into
hole in the top of a barrel. Ice cream
boths, presided over by pretty girls, were
quite numerous. One booth contained a
number Of fancy articles made by mem
bers of Trinity Church. which were for
sale at the usual church fair prices. In
corner rather secluded from the public
gaze, and removed from the glare of the
electric lights, was a small tent, in which
pretty dark haired girl told the fortunes
of those who were inclined to have the
future revealed. Then there was 4 booth
where one might receive a picture of
future wife or husband and also have
ones fortune told all for the considera-
tion of dime. In the middle of the
grounds was a booth ornamented with the
boughs of evergreen where was sold lem
onade and mild punch.
The crowd freely patronized the booths
and remained on the ground till late
hour. The management was much graf
flied at the success which attended the
opening of the fete, and are confident
if they are favored with fair weather that
the enterprise will be great success.