The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-12-27
THE ELKs WE'RE OUT.
Best People Open the Holiday Season
In Gay Manner. Nv

While some insisted that it waA
others declared the hour to be1
an early one when the last refrains OF
"Auld Lang syne" died away to
the close of the Christmas social that
the Elks held Monday night. PROB
ably both were correct, for some OF
the more early risers among the
chanticleer tribe had thrice done
salutation to the morn" when the
hall became deserted and the stay
ers,' wendell their way homeward af-
ter a nights fun and frolic.
The session was n OF the most
enjoyable and successful ever held by
the lodge and the attendance was
equally good, while the receipts, de-
rived through the collection of very
liberal express charges" on the
packages containing gifts for the
members that Girls Cringle had
brought for them in his automobile,
were such as to leave no doubt con-
corning the ability of the highway
man who presided to collect toll. The
presents were large in number and
also unique and original in selection.
ranging from links Of succulent wien
er wursts to full rugged battle ships.
1t might, perhaps, be more correct,
however, to refer to the latter in the
singular, for the only person consid-
cred capable of commanding a craft
of that sort was George Bennington,
who was given a replica of the mont
tor Monterey. Jean Decker acted as
chairman and distributor-in-chief, ak
ing the part of Girls Cingle, whose en-
gagements elsewhere made it impossi-
BILE for him to attend. v
The musical portion of the pro-
gramme was exceptionally meritori-
Gus and Of a high order. A quartette
composed of Messrs. Allen, Ladbury,
Settler and Currie, rendered several
splendid numbers, while Messrs.
Mains and Purvis effectively sang a
couple of solos. The instrumental
ton was done by Loring's Mandolin
CluU anu NIl. lCoUOuy, CAO AoSSSA ~
cornet soloist of unusual ability and
possessing wonderful control over
that truly difficult instrument. who
CHANGED to be in the city and kindly
volunteered for the occasion. His
rendition of "The Holy City" was a
gem and fully merited the hearty en-.
core which it received.
After a selection by the mandolin
club, Mr.. Decker called the session
to order and introduced Exalted Ruler
Foster, who made a few happy re
marks and paved the way for what
was coming. A number by the quar-
tette followed Inc then the distribu
ton of gifts began. About half al
hour was consumed in this manner
when the chairman announced a re
cess in order that those whose nos
trils had been assailed by the SAVIOR.
odors that found their way into thu
lodge room from the kitchen might b,
afforded the opportunity to sample tn
skill of the gordon bleu who presided
in that establishment. Tempting a
had been the odors the real thing
proved even more so. Blue fish, cook
ed exactly right, saratoga chips
waters, sandwiches of various kind:
all preceded by a cocktail of the #
nous brew of the Montana club an
chowder fit to place before the mos
exacting gourmet, constituted the bi
of fare. During the course of tn
feast ample provision was made fc
assuaging the thirst of the fish an
clans, and Elks' milk, reinforced b
something that suggested the sum
slopes of the vineclad hills Of Franc
were supplied in generous abundanc
Cigars were now passed around an
the distribution of gifts was resume
i~nterspersed by music and son
Mayor George was among those I
membered in a substantial name
being made the recipient of a beau
full ''ring" which the chairman pr
sented in a little speech highly lau
atory of the recipient.
The hall decorations were the mo
artistic and elaborate probably ev
before attempted in the city. Gre
credit for this part of the work
tached to the session is due to t.
committee under whose supervision
was done, assisted by Mr.. Buchans
famous as a draper. Those not Ell
but who contributed greatly to t
success of the occasion were Mess
Peabody, Ladbury and Buchans
while Miss Bennighoff kindly cal
to the rescue of the refreshment co
mite by giving the use of dishes wi
out which some trouble might ha