The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-10-29

fair-Waltxers Resemble HoriEon-
tai WindmilIs-A Continuous Stag
Reception at the Bar.
With the approach of cold weather and
the closing of the Coney Island resorts
east sidedom resorts TO the giving Of
balls. Then in nearly every east side sa-
loon the walls are decorated with plac-
ards announcing that the merry Mon
archs" or some other popular organiza-
ton will give their annual ball at So
and-so's hall on the night of -. Tickets
admitting gent and lady, ST."
A ball on the east side is a serious af
fair, especially to the floor committee. 1t
is their annual appearance in full evening
dress, and the occasion is grave, even
trying, one. Besides, they have large and
ornate badges of Office to wear.
At 10 o'clock in the evening the ball
room presents itself wide, shiny space
hedged with gaping chairs, the balconies
which look upon it dressed with greens,
paper sunbursts and flags. with probably
a crayon portrait of the founder or pa
tron of the association beaming its
length from a bower of smilax. On
platform at one end is cluster Of music
stands and perhaps a fat man or two
tentatively extracting tones from cello
or French horn. In the rear of the chair
rows on one side tables closely arranged
extend into dimness, a patch of them in
strong light form an alcove which in
closes a bar without end. Glasses are
being noisiy stacked upon 1t.
Singly, by twos and in groups the
guests of the ball arrive. A tall girl in a
dress too short before appears on the
edge of the floor, gazes shyly around and
then vanishes Three youths in black
getaway coats" and white satin cravats,
with fiat, wet hair, parade past the
chairs. One of them pushes another
abruptly against pillar.
whats the matter wit you! de-
mands the victim ENORMOUSLY, and then
the three seat themselves at table and
make fun of waiter Girls of all ages
in coveys drift down the alley behind the
chairs Their costumes are striking and
collectively a discord in color. A stout
woman puffs along towing a pair of Curl
GUS youngsters and followed by dutiful
daughters She reaches one of the tables
and there goes into camp, issuing rations
OF pretzels and single glass Of beer. A
steady stream flows through the door and
is damned up at the edge of the floor,
which appears to be forbidden ground.
Slowly they trickle off in pairs down the
sides of the room, and dots and dashes of
people close up the chair line. Floor COM
mitteemen appear, all hurrying, with pale,
anxious faces. A slow waltz starts, heard
family at first, then loud and persuasive.
A couple begin to twirl in a corner; two
drawer spin into the center of the floor;
others join them. Soon the room is twirl-
ing, and the ball is begun.
The waltz on the east side is unique. 1t
consists mainly in spinning around in one
SPOT, and progress is slow. Sometimes
curious lope is introduced to the waltz
measure to facilitate change of spinning
ground, and occasionally there appear a
couple who can go all round the room in
a succession of whirls. But this is not the
orthodox way. The whole movement on
the floor is rotary. There is no blending
of motion, and the impression is that of q
multitude of horizontal windmills all go
ing at the same time.
When the waltz ceases, the dancers
move in a solid mass toward the tables.
Frothing beer glasses coat the bar, and
there is a flying of white coated walters.
Two OF three more dance tunes are
played, and then begins a significant
gathering Of the committeeman at the end
of the room. They are mingling with q
group of women gowned gorgeously In
white and colors, while around them col
lects a watchful crowd. Gradually the
group which is the center of attention
forms into a huddled line of couples, and
the man in the front rank looks back Of
ten. Then with a crash the band launch
es into a march, the line steps out sedate-
ly, uncoiling from the crowd, and the
grand march is on. This is very seri-
Gus ceremony and is performed with reli-
gious care to the conclusion of the last
evolution.
When the march is over, there is some
times a speech by the president Of the
association heard by a respectful ring,
but ignored by the crowd, which is now
jostling, running and swarming over the
floor and about the tables. Girls gather
and giggle by the pillars and are leased
by the boys, who push about in noisy
companies. Children race and sprawl.
Stout mothers banked against the walls
alternately laugh and fret over defiance
Of their authority. Everywhere is the
waiter with dripping beer glasses ringed
about his fists In the barroom there is a
continuous stag reception. A couple Of
stout politicians with flushed faces are
holding a levee, and young men with po-
litical aspirations surround them, buy
beer for them and listen respectfully to
their utterances. Smoking is permitted
everywhere, and by midnight the lights
are mere luminous balls in the haze.
The bail is still gayly going forward at
3 o'clock, but by only few couples are
appearing on the floor, though many are
still seated at the tables. The floor COM
mittee, with their badges folded away in
their pockets and their shirt fronts soiled
and broken, have stolen away at an hour
becoming to their dignity. Some Of the
lights go out and the walters bring fresh
rounds of beer reluctantly. The band has
packed up its instruments and is now
lired along the bar resting from its la
bcrs. A popular song is started. and the
chorus is vigorous. A second song re-
ceives less ardent support An unsteady
youth attempts a cakewalk on the floor.
Then a large man with forbidding coun-
tenance orders all the lights out, and the
lou 10 o,,ar Nauy Xark posf