The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1900-03-03
PHANTOM PARTY.

| ments our reporter Hfei oeen ava
tupate enough TO attei Twas some
thing unique in chaF& we'll al
re,nely interesting "a many
points of view. Miss Annis Al ken,
the hostess, so we'll arranged all de-
tails of the programme that nothing
additional could thave enhanced the
enjoyment OF the occasion.
| A phantom partyssis something diff
cal, of description by reason of iti
very nature, as it WAS pantcninlc en-
tirely which characteristic feature OF
sill such entertainments must be risidly
observed in order to emphasizes their
mysticism, which is the sole factor IN
making them unique, novel and inter
esting.
Along about $50 o'clock of the
evening Of February 2S'h one might
have observed ghostly white figures
ahssows, spparitions, or designate
them by whatever name you may
choose, fitting along the highways in
the intense darkness of the night, and
each or making its way to the same
centrs! point. As II am not VerSsd IN
ghostly love, I failed to gather the
| name of their objective point, pre-
suGably though twas to "Robsoblin's
rooss," there to hold high carnival.
! It seems that among these spectral
| beings there exists an ethical or soeisl
| code aud is displayed a formal etl-
| ouette identical with that Of Us ordi-
uary mortals, for upon the arrival OF
| each spook it was met by fellow
rhantom who, after extending greet
! ings to it's visitor, ushered it into the
presence of his "Satanic Majesty
| seated apon bis throne, be receiving
| it with cordial, yet mute hospitality
and directed it to its proper sphere &C.
cording to its degree. After transact
! ing some routine business they all re-
paired to the central chamber Of The
temple in bogie land dsrkly lighted
| with ghastly flames of green, giving
| an almost tangible weirdness to the
scene, and bedecked with bldeous
trophies and ghastly .sRblems of de-
parted spirits where held their
'1r'''-''~ W '''>''''4'' A @erous their
longer st.y.
To my surprise a banquet was in
cluded in this rsvellipg, where wa
served in almost wastefullness ths
choicest of substantial foods and de
lectable sweets.
Now if one can imagine goblin
partaking of such things, then let m
assure him that at this time they dit
Individually and collectively ente
heartily into the spirit of the occasion
Mysterious as were the guests at thi'
table, more nysteriously disappeared
the contents Of the same, until st las
wesried of the fray, they with one
accord re-entered the central chamber
! of the temple ia bogie land and re-
newed the revelry. This time how
ever, not in phantom form, bat, with
iasudden transmutation as is charac'
teristic with this kind, these selt-same
spirits at once became sight fol
ms tai eyea, tor behold! beautiful
women and brave 1nen. They ha.;
urme sked while at the fiesta! board or
rather had removed their spirital
! habi:iraenis and revealed 10 each other
earthly forms and faces.
If one NAV judge from Appearances,
then their red eyes and flushed faces
branded them, not good spirits, but
evil ones, who meier would soar sloft
and who, in their tropical abode, car
ry ever with tbem emblazoned on
their shields the motto, "Leave hope
behind, We who enter here"
The evening closed with bat trim
ming contest; 9 sudden but suitable
transformation from the sublime 10
the lidicuIous 1t is impossible to de-
scribe this laughable sight. The
gentlemen alone were allowed to in.
Gulge in This luxury, and The deftness
with which some Of them manipulated
the needle and thread was, to cay the
least, well, not specially noticeable.
Bnt the hats were trimmed all the
same Yea, trimmed, 'rimmed,
trimmed, anG some Of th5se artistic
productions were marEels of the milI:-
nsr's art.
Twn at l.ast deserve specia' mention
but am unable 10 describe them
suffice ii 70 say, they were Iiiz: win
nyrs and lnirth pr"y.'Slng freaks.
These TWO ,ats were ruined by MEssrs.