Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-02

Great ThronE visits the Handsomely
Decorated Headauarters.

Decorated Headquarters.
"A Happy New Year" was the sentiment
that prevailed last night at the reception
given annually on that occasion by the
Young Mems Christian association. II was
the greeting with which callers we're met
at the entrance; It breathed from the pro-
fuse holiday decorations; II beamed in the
happy faces Of all encountered there. And
they we're legion, for fully $500 Omahans
paid their respects during the evening.
And yet there was no insufferable crush.
The hours prescribed we're from 7 o'clock
till 10. and the spacious halls, parlors. re-
ceptlon rooms and auditorium proved ca
pable OF easily accommodating the throngs
that flooded them.
OF the many beauties OF the reception
the decorations we're the most conspicuous.
Roses, evergreens and holly we're every
where. From the street entrance up the
stairs one wendell his way through a verit-
able greenery, and once within the recep-
tion halls the effect was heightened by the
| profusion. Two large rooms, ordinarily
known as the reading and recreation rooms,
we're transformed for the occasion into
bowers bathed in brilliant light. In one
corner of the first room 'purch" was
served from behind dazzling candelabra,
while beyond the inner portals elaborate
refreshments were dispensed from four
tables, linen clad. candle lighted and flower
bedecked. Music from a mandolin orchestra
lent the last detail.
To the left again in the parlor was the
most unique feature of the affair. This
was a calendar exhibition. The walls of
the room we're completely covered on all
sides with hundreds of calendars for 1903,
gathered from all parts of the country, and
the ensemble formed a striking sight and
an interesting study.
Those who stood in the receiving line
were the officers and directors Of the asso-
citation. as follows: 1. w. Carpenter, A.
p. Turkey, j. A. Sunderland, Charles e.
Morgan, J. H.. Dumont, S. P. Bostwick, w.
o. Henry. T. +. Sturgiss, George w. Sum
ner, H. L. Kreider, s. W. Lindsay, J. NJ.
Gillian. G. F. Bidwell. William q. Smith,
George F. Gilmore. E. F.. Magaret. d. A.
Foote, c. G. Wallace, Robert Dempster,
w. p. Hartford and w. T. Graham.
Women who served were: Mesdames
|. w. Carpenter, A. L. Patrick, Warren
Switzler, T. V. Moore, ]. II. Dumont, J. R.
Webster, Edison Rich, William G. Smith,
A. b.. Somers and F. l.. Willis.
But there were other attractions. In the
auditorium upstairs a musical program was
given, commencing at s O'Clock. This was
in charge of Miss Corinne Paulson, and
opened with a harp solo by Miss Swanson.
Miss Paulson followed with the piano rendi-
ton of %Sinding's Rustic OF Spring. Mrs.
A. l.. Sheetz sang oh, Dry Those Tears"
by Teresa del Riego, and the last number
before the intermission was a Monde
script" by E.. H. Packard. Later. Mr..
Charles C.. Gorst gave a whistling solo,
Miss Paulson played Moskowski's Spanish
Caprice" and Mrs. Sheetz sang "In the
Dark, in the Dew" by Coombs. The pro-
gram was keenly appreciated and every
number was encored.
In the gymnasium was a third phase of
the entertainment. Large crowds thronged
into the gallery and on the floor itself to
witness the stunts tone by the gymnasts
and athletes. The first event was a basket
ball game, in which the young mems class
team beat the business boys by 16 to 9.
The next hour was devoted to gymnasium
work, games and contests, such as high
elephant, crab race, mat work, long dive,
parallel bar work and an obstacle race.
The performances Of Roland Finney at hand
balancing and of the Finney brothers,
Herley and Jennings, at tumbling were
especially remarkable.
Then followed another basket ball game,
In which the business men defeated the
professional men by IA to 8, amid much
enthusiasm. A relay sack race, which the
high school boys won from the night class
team, a high jump from springboard event
and a tug-of-war concluded the gymnasium
program.