The Minneapolis journal., 1906-12-29
News
of . =. ..
Society

King Carnival held court at High
croft last night. Mr.. and Mrs. George
w. Peavey, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Y.
Heffelfinger and Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick
B. Wells had opened the Peavey coun-
try home at Ferndale, Lake Mime
tonka, for one of the most beautifully
appointed of mask balls. About 200
guests were present and the sound of
merry laughter and music broke the
stiffness of the winter night until the
early morning hours.
Everything in and about Highcroft
breathed festivity, even the road that
leads from the old Ferndale station
where the special train pulled in, for
red and green lanterns were hung from
the trees, and an arch of red lights with
great flower shades topped the stone
guests arrived at 'clock on the spe
cial and were conveyed by carriages
to the house, altho many, tempted by
the beautiful moonlight night, made the
run from the city in their automobiles
Highcroft was radiantly beautiful.
In the reception hall and ballroom
burned the yule logs, and flowers, ever.
greens and southern smilax made an
exquisite setting. Carloads of smilax,
holly and Christmas trees had been
used. At either side of the broad stairs
silk, and clambering over the wood
work of the ratings and around the
landing was a mass of glossy smilax.
Fir trees made solid bank of green
to screen the orchestra, which was sta
toned on the first landing. From the
beams Of the ceiling in the ballroom
hung branches Of smilax and thru the
tracery of green shone innumerable red
shaded lights. The tall chandeliers were
completely shrouded in great rose
shaped petals and the small Turkish
lamps which burned under the arches
and IN the hooks were also in red. On
the mantel stood tall vases with poin-
settias and roses. Flowers bloomed in
fragrant profusion everywhere and the
doorWays and windows were garlanded
with southern smilax On one of the
handsomely carved tables stood a
gorgeous cluster of red roses and on an
other table were exquisite poinsettias.
The library showed a repetition of the
gorgeous decorations with American
Beauty roses and white lilies to add
their rich fragrance, and in the billiard
room, holly and evergreen made an an
propriate ornament
AS the hosts were masked anything
In the way of formal reception was
omitted. anad the affair was notable for
ITS delightful spirit Of happy informali-
ty. Mrs. w. N. Porteous and Cavour
s: Langdon, who are guests in the
Hlghcroft houseparty, were unmasked
and greeted the arrivals. The fun be-
gan In the dressing rooms, and was kept
NP until long after the supper hour,
% wnen the masks were removed. Mis-
chief held full sway. There were men
and women who wore two costumes and
who performed marvellous feats in the
way of changing their disguises.
At 9:30 o'clock the soft notes of a
dreamy waltz opened the ball. The pic
ture was one of rare beauty. Beauti-
ful costumes were worn, costumes
which had been imported from Egypt,
from China, from countries old and
laces, which showed how beautiful wo-
man can be, and how handsome man
can appear bereft; Of the conventional
everyday garb and robed in the mag
nificent fabrics Of olden days and orr
entail races.
When Brunhilde, beautiful Brunhilde,
with golden locks came down the broad
stairs her proud head crowned with the
winged helmet, her right hand holding
the spear, the music stopped in sheer
amazement at her beauty and the bows
and strings fought manly the tempta-
tion to play the Feuerzauber. Brun-
hide was far too beautiful and "Hel-
DIM like to maintain her incognito
after she had joined the dancers. Bus
ter Brown and Tige were merry with
the little girls in French frocks and
pink bows, and the three Carmens who
were in the gathering snapped their
castanets and sang their love songs
SO alluringly that even the proud mobiles
of the land of the Mikado pleaded for
mercy. The girls Of the civil war fut-
tered about in hoop skirts, and the
women Of Marie Antoinette's s court
mingled with the chevaliers and cour-
tiers of other days. Mephisto was up
more impressive with a small electric
battery tucked away in his belt. There
were Remington Indians galore, SOL
diers, cowboys, Egyptian maids, gypsies
and ever so many Pierrots and Pier
rettes. Even beautiful flowers had
come to life for gorgeous poppy had
opened her scarlet petals, and a Kate
Moulton rose was all abloom
At II O'Clock a buffet supper was
served in the dining room which was
q fairyland of Christmas greens and
flower gardens. Ground pine was
caught along'th walls in graceful gar
lands and wreaths Of pine and holly
were everywhere. The easements Of
Sho "iHuoWS were dli green covered ana
huge red silken bows added touches of
gay color. Over the mantel stood a
basket of poinsettias, and the flame of
the burning logs We'd in color with the
scarlet OF the roses which were on the
tables. From one table the regular
buffet supper was served while second
table was arranged with sweets and
confections. The larger of the two was
wreathed with holly and spread with
q handsome Battenberg cloth. In the
center was pyramid of lucious fruit.
pomegranates, Strawberries, cherries
and delicacies Of the season resting in
mound Of red roses and Illuminated