Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-02
THOUSANDS IN ATTENDANCE
Folks Big and Little Staggered With
Laden Baskets.
SOME BARGAINS; OTHERS sTUNG
Qualification Expressed by President
Smith and Others of the Board
of Control.

The closing act in the great drama,
ave Want a Home. and Want 1t Badly,
was presented last even ng in Convention
Hall by the Masonic Fair Associat ton to an
enthusiastic audience of about 5000 men.
women and children. Incidentally it was
auction night at the big far. The red
flag could be seen on nearly every booth,
and the hoarse-voiced auctioneers, men,
bers and non-members of the differ ent
lodges. drew from the purses of the listen
ers about all the money there was in them
after more than two weeks OF contlnu IL
attendance. Nearly every one, 1t seems,
had at least a dollar bill in reserve in or
der to attend the ball this evening, when
1t is expected that at least 900 couples
will trip the light fantastic.
1t was certainly bargain night Those
who couldn't find baskets large enough at
home to take with them were supplied by
the board OF control for a nominal figure
Little tots could be seen struggling with
bundles as large as themselves. while
their parents We're nodd!ng their heads to
the auctoneerS in an effort to obtain more
for the larder.
When the midnight hour arrived the
barkers the attendants at the booths, the
doorkeeperS, and every one else connected
with the fair also struck. and many sign
could be heard from the tired workers. But
successful fair ever attempted by the asso-
citation had closed and the till was stocked
with coin of the realm. with other sources
yet to be heard from.
So. so Pillow for SIS.
"Oh, see what / have here" one comedy
matron said to another. as she exhibited a
well-stuffed pillow II have been waiting
for auction night to get it. and if 1t had
been sold before / should have cried my
eyes out. I bought it for a mere song
only S. The same pillow was for sale
last Monday night for $50. But there was
many a good bargain handed out, and 50
far as could be heard. every one was salts
fed, and went away feeling that the money
had been contributed to a worthy cause.
1t would take many a column to relate
in print all the good stories heard going the
rounds last night: how this lady and that
man had received more than their money S
worth. how this one or that one had been
''stung,' and was going back to get 1t
right in the same place.
The paddle wheels were reoiled, and 1t
was well that this was done, for they con-
tinued to do a rushing business. Many good
articles were left to be disposed of, and 1t
was case of which one of the two booths
could out-yell the other to get the where
withal." -. -.s
.'Cy'' Coombs, with his that box" per-
haps did the largest business of any one at
the fair. The downpour of rain id not
keep the crowd home. The visitors were
held up at the door with their umbrellas
and made to disgorge. The line was so
long ii resembled a sea serpent with its
coils and bends. The last heard OF "Cy
and his able assistants was, Watch the
numbers on your checks as you pass them
in."
Raked in the "Shekels."
The dancing palace continued to rake in
the ''shekels.'' and from all accounts ex-
poets to make the largest showing of any
attraction at the fair. The bankers were
very much in evidence, calling on the
people not to miss the big show"
Qualification was apparent on the faces
of President Smith and the other members
of the board of control. They didn't have
the time to Count up the money last night,
and besides there are a thousand and-one
details to be wound up before there can b.
an accurate statement of the finances OF
this years fair, but 1t was said at head
quarters that there Is no reason to change
the estimate of at least $4,000 profit. All
the returns will not be in for month or
two. and there Is even prospect that the
figure named will be exceeded.
At the conclusion of the auction last
night Director General Stamford an 1
ms assistant waltzed down the entire
have been at Convention Hall every day
since the fair opened from early morning
until long after midnight. and they are
congratulating themselves that their labors
yised at the fair five years ago, all goods
entering the hall were delivered promptly
and not loss was reported.
Hospital Had Easy Time.
While the hospital was open every night
of the fair. 1t was not called upon to treat
a serious case of illness. DR.. John E.
Walsh. the chairman. and DIR. Clarence A.
Weaver the vice chairman OF the commit
tee on hospitals. divided the time to at
tend. and each night there were two or
more other physicians In attendance, and
at least three nurses from local hospitals
the hall was most crowded. but otherwise
everything went off smoothly.
The police are also breathing easier, now
that the fair Is at an end. Major Sylvester
had detail of forty bluecoats at the hall
every night, under command of Capt Sulli-
van
The demand for tickets for the ball this
evening continues at fair headquarters, 142,
New York avenue. and there was a steady
sale last night at the hall. Preparations
are being made to entertain large num-
Der of people and all the members of the
board OF control are doing now Is hoping
for good weather.
To Lead Grand March.
The grand march will be led by President
Smith and Mrs. Smith. who will be followed
by the other members of the board of con-
trol and their ladies. The march viii star
promptly at o O'Clock. and dancing will
continue until midnight. ICY" will be Their,
with his hue and cry. ably seconded by hi
assistants. 1t will be banner night for ths
hat box"
c. II. Roster. the contractor for the dec
orations. had a force of men at work thi.
morning clearing the center of the hail
The columns OF the booths will be sent Il
New York to be recovered. and will be useC
at Saratoga as part of the street decorations
at the triennlal conclave OF the knights
Templar In July. The "wrecking' will b,
completed tomorrow. and Convention Hal
win be turned over to the owners Saturda,
night empty as 1t was three weeks or NOR
ago. when the board of control took pos
session.
Stock Subscriptions.
The stock subscription committee. Ton
C. Noyes, chairman. reports the following
additional subscriptions to the stock of tn,
Masonic Temple Association:
Previously reported. $6,21I.1:
s. w. Pegus, National Lodge. 200
g Macnichol. National Lodge. 200
Henry Knock. Lafayette Lodge. 100
Geo. p. Bohrer, st. Johns Lodge 100
Dan G. Vaughan, National Lodge 300
"A.