The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-23

1t is rather an unusual sight to see
men acting the part of wall flowers at
Topeka balls but such was the case at
the ball at the Auditorium last evening
given by the local druggists for the Wis
itors who have been attending the con-
vention for the past three days. In spite
of the fact that the invitations which
were sent to the men over a week ago
contained the injunction to, BE sure and
bring all your lady friends there were
fully twice as many men as women
present. This request was doubtless
made in order to make provision for the
out of town men who had no wives to
bring with them and were unacquaint-
ed in the city.
The ball was an undeniable success
and was a credit to the gentlemen who
had the affair in charge. 1t was one of
the largest ever given in Topeka Every
body was there but Topeka people pre-
dominated. The visiting druggists were
there in large numbers but few of them
brought their wives with them.
Little attempt was made to decorate
the Auditorium; the proverbial bank of
palms extended across the front of Inc
stage and that was all with the excep-
ton of the draperies of bunting which
are a fixture. But little decoration was
needed however as the hundreds of
beautiful women handsomely goWned
were far more attractive than any
amount of decora ting.
A programme of popular dance music
was furnished by Steinberg's orchestra
of ten pieces. At a few minutes after 3
o'clock the grand march was formed
and led by Mr.. and Mrs. James P. Row
ley. over so couples participated in the
grand march, and during some of the
more complicated figures at the last
some of them We're obliged to drop out
on account of the scarcity of room; fully
SO more couples Joined in the dancing
later. while several hundreds were spec
tators.
The regular programme of waltzes
and two-steps was varied last evening
by the introduction of a number of
square dances. The floor was in very
good condition and the cool evening
made dancing such a pleasure that II
was in the wee small hours Of the morn
ing before the ball broke up
At one side of the stage Mrs Holyolke
served refreshments during the entire
evening; the menu consisted of sand
witches. coffee, ices and cakes. At the
opposite side punch was served
The floor committee was composed of
Mr.. j. p. Rowley, Mr.. w. w. Webb, Mr.
T. l.. King, Mr. c. J. Webb, Mr.. John G.
Waters. Mr. Frank A. Lewis. Mr.. Albert
T. Reid. Mr.. H. L. Robinson, Mr. r. r
Peterson, Mr.. c. K. Holiday, Mr.. a. b
Quinton Mr.. J. L. King, Mr. D. L. La
kin. and Mr.. w. A. Alexander.
On the reception committee were MI
and Mrs. George w. Stansfield, Mr.. and
Mrs. E T. Sim, Mr. and Mrs. II. T.
Robinson. Mr.. and Mrs. J. p. Rowley,
Mr.. and Mrs. A. w Lacey, Mr.. and
Mrs Loehr Grubbs. Mr.. and Mrs. L. S.
Woolverton and Miss Olive Lewis
All were handsomely gowned, Mrs
Stansfield in an evening gown Of pink
crepe de chine trimmed with lace and
velvet, diam ond ornaments Mrs. Row
ley pink lowered mousseline combined
with lace and net Mrs Woolverton.
gray fOulard with trimmings of white
liberty silk and applique; Mrs. Sim,
black crepe de chine evening gown !
with black lace; Mrs. Lacey, !
white French null, ruffied and trimmed !
with white satin ribbons; Miss Olive |
Lewis, pink panne satin and white /
lace.
Everybody had good time alike; the /
people in elaborate evening costume /
met on an equal footing with the many |
who wore street gowns and business
suits. with never a thought of the diff
ference
A few of the more enterprising drug
gists advertised their wares in quiet I
way One distributed very real looking
artificial flowers. with the remark that
bromO settler is a good thing in the
others gave away tiny bot