Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-08
ECHOES OF THE ANTE ROOM

His royal highness, "VL-EC-TJ-69." is
one of the most discussed persons in the
city this week in Masonic circles and
many would like TO know who and what he
is. The third royal medina-annota has sent
to practically all Of the Masons of the city
Urgent invitations to be present at the
masque ball TO be held Friday night at
Free Mason hall, and there will be some
thing doing that night Of which no man can
tell to a certainty. bur just who will be
doing it will be known only when 1890
o'clock arrives that night and the masks
worn by all present will be removed.
The individual in whose honor this func-
tion Is to be given is no ordinary person
and already his representative has made a
demand upon Mayor Moores not only to
abdieate for the evening and turn a por-
tion at least Of the city over to him, but
he has also commanded the mayor to be
present in his train and has promised to
see that while the chief executive Of the
city is enjoying the pleasures Of the even
ing under mask the AFFAIRS OF the commu-
nifty will be in good hands. Like notice
has been served upon L. A. Welsh. the
local weather forecaster, to have on tap
his best brand Of March weather or be
prepared 10 take to the woods for safety,
For the next week there will be business
at the hall every night. as The people in
charge of the coming entertainment are
making strenuous efforts TO surpass any
thing OF the kind ever seen in the city,
and at the same time there are few Of
those who are TO take part who know who
the other participants are to be, for the
( secrecy which has been thrown around the
affair so far az the public is concerned has
been carried out within the walls and the
concealed workers can only be addressed
by the number which they wear upon their
coat or gown.
The hrst number on the program Friday
right will be a march by the chief digni-
tary and his attendants. The procession
will form on the third floor OF the build
ing and march into the banquet hall
promptly at $50. In this train will be the
mayor OF the city and the chief d'gnitaries
! Of the occasion. Twenty giants will be the
guard Of honor for this distinguished party
and they will be preceded by twenty
women. who have been especially selected
for their grace Of carriage and beauty Of
figure. The PHI srs will lead this march
TO the banquet hall and after the party
reaches that room there will be something
doing for a few minutes before the grand
march begins. The part- Will then lead
he grand march Of the ma iked Wis tors and
the dance program will hegn Music will
be furnished by Dimmick's orchestra.
Nebraska lodge No. 1. knights Of Pythias,
I had a very interesting meeting Monday
night. There was present a. Mr.. HolmeE.
| who assisted Justus H. Rsthbone IN l'
In founding the order in the city Of Wash
ington. y. c.. but before the organization
was completed Mr.. Holmes became a SOL
der in the war OF the rebellion. His
brief account OF the organization OF the
order was especially interesting. End for
various reasons is II interesting 10 Ne
braskA lodge No. /, because Il was the
hrst lodge Instituted this side OF the Ale
CLANCY mountains. and because its founder.
Colonel Cragsr. is nov living in the city,
and his fathsr-in-lAW. a Mr.. Taylor, noT