The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-15
The Most Brilliant
Social Event i'm
the History of the
City

~
was formally opened last
night is now but Il memory.
but a memory that will long
be sacredly cherished by
those who had Il part in
that brilliant scene.
1t has been many and many
year since Scranton had a mill
tary ball. a little dance now
and then. Il fair, summer ex-
cursion. a farewell to the boys as
they went away to war-these have
represented most of the social features
connected with the Scranton guard
since it's earliest history. The time
was when the Thirteenth Regiment
entertained in manner commen-
fsurate with its Importance in the
state service but that was in earlier
years. Within the experience Of the
younger generations, guard life has
been a serious business with few frills.
Surely though T. has been worth
while this long silence of the bugles
of saiety with only the call to duty FOR
their notes. this sombre gray distance
across which is reflected only the
monotoEOus routine of camp and
weary marches and sitting Journeys
II has been worth while to wait al
most IA Sroie of years for the cumin
ating event Of last night. 1t will be
something to remember. whatever the
years may bring in honor and dignity
to our national guard. which has re-
ceived all too little reward in Penn
sylvania.
Perhaps there We're those pusent
who could recall more brilliant scenes
than that which greeted their eyes,
last night. but ii Is to be doubted
The memories of ball rooms glowing
with light and beauty. the breath of
countless roses on the air, the spell
of sweetest music in the ear. the
pictures of halls abaze with banners.
the recollections of some famed spec
lacular fete--muSt have passed like a
vision before the mental retina Of
, many, as the fun revelations of the
: pageant broke upon their gaze: but
it may he said with conviction that
nothing of a similar character in the
way of q great public entertainment
has surpassed the appearance OF the
new armory on this occasion.
Imagine a vast room almost a block
long and half as wide. over which was
lifted a mighty arch. whose ribs of
steel We're gorGeously hidden by miles
America and the national colors Of
every other country beneath the sun:
splendid flags. the blue field glitterine
with stars: deep festoons in tnts
which gladden. the eye on land or sea
and sky: tuttcring banners whose
folds fell softly from massive stand
ards: deep dropping penants in hues
dear to the patriotic heart. All this
made up changefTl canopy where
the gaze loved to linger. 1t rose above
a falry-land Of beauty which stretched
in far-touching lines To break al either
"nd in majestic balconies crowned by
laurel and bearing. like rarest jewels.
tho flaming electrical devices whose
dazzling splcndor the eye might not
dwell on too closely.
Ranging On both sides. the boxes
risinS tier on tier held the distinguish
ed guests of the regiment and rep
, resentatives of the most select circles
of the 'itJ. Between these two lines
where he splendor of elaborate dress
and the cleaning of jewels WED with
rhe blaze of color ana light above. the
great dancing platform spread its
snowy surface. hedged in by masses OF
tropical plants Under the balcony on
The Jefferson avenue end of the build
ing was fitted up an infinite series Of
bowers built high with gigantic palms
and shrubbery, and made luxurious
and Sybaritic with the richest of ori-
entail rugs and draparies.
The dancing floor, twice as large as
that so familiar to society people at
The Bachelors Balls of the past seem
Hl OF small dimensions compored
with the colossal space beyond il in
the great armOry.
At the left an ovcrhanging balcony.
flag -drapcd and edged with palms. held
AeXandcr's Military band. of Wilkes
are. while Bauer's band of forty-,wo
pieces occupied the extreme end OF the
building opposite the entrance, having
for a background the coat Of arms of
Pennsylvania framed massively against
the wall Swelling forth in alternate
numbers. the strains from these two
famous organizations filled the enor-
NOUS space and touched the emotions
of the listeners as with some bewilder-
ing incense.
All this respondent setting made but
an appropriate frame for the tableaux
viNants on the noor--the picturesque
groups beneath the banners of the
Union. the merry dancers. the officers
in their splendid uniforms gittering
with gold the beautiful women in
Shmmcring robes with starry eyes
more luslrous for the enthusiasm OF
tho hour.
As The throngs moved to and fro in
the radiance of the myriad lights ii
was no wonder that thrill of pride
brought mist to many eyes. as for
the first time fun realization dawned
that this was all ours-that at last
Scranton posse sSeS an adequate shell
ter for its fine body of troops. that
whatever the state sion or the
emergency, magnificent auditorium
would be available.