Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-02-02

A. the clock 10 the city hall rang out
IN the crisp a m0sphefe The hour OF .
LIST evening, jast Al tina. moment The
lights 10 Annoy Hal building
transformed rom structure OF brieSs
and mortar, uninVitiog, 10 say me least,
INFO garden of roses, besniifisd and
presided over by mans helPmats-were
lowered and on the steps OF that msg-
nj6cent reproduction of Mount Vernon
roansion occurred the first scene in the
fr.t act of the memorial fair given un-
der the auspices Of Alexa ldris. Wash
iuqton Lor e., A F. aod A M. The
crowds hsd gathered to pay homage
70 the distinguished VirginiaD, the one
who wa3 to start the wheels OF the mid
winter entertainment ia motion. Wor-
sbipfnl Master ]. Edward Sainn in 8
brief but we'll timed address introduced
20 large sssemblsgs Past Grand Master
p. T. w. Duke, of Charlottesville, who
had been delegated by Grand Master
joseph w. EgglestOn TO rePr sent him
on this occasion. !. is needless to say
that perfect quiet reigued ss Virginia.
gifted son. with voice as clear as were
the skies of last night aod tone sweet
and bright es we're the moonlt heavens,
launched forth in congratulations OF the
magnificent work Of the committee on
decOrstou. He spoke IN highest terms
OF the laudable enterpr Sc and predicted
for esca and every branch Of the under
taking unb0unded success. As is the
custom Of all ;rae Virginians, ne closed
by paying lovely tribute to the gems
Of cresti9n-lbe ladies--who, he said,
never appeared more charming to human
q.zs than when they looked into his
face. At toe close Of his address, Judge
Duke received a memantO Of the occl-
sion in the shape of a small square,
made of wood, mounted on silver, which
had formerly been q part Of the hour
glass used 10 Al xandIia- Washington
Lodge of Mssous when George Wash
ingtou vas its MASTER. The presenta.
ton speech wss mede by Psst Ora d
Mister X Kemper sod the present was
received by Judge Duke in bis ususl
happy manner. A the conclusion OF
this part OF the programme the ladies
began TO get busy and under fine dis.
play of electric lights, the beauty Of
which Was enhanced by the charming
dress of the fair sex, prOmeDa1ed the
hall, aud with that expression ''lt you
have dimes or dollays prepare to yield
them up nOw,", proceeded to gather
in the coin # the realm. 1t is scarcely
necessary to expstiste much upon what
this fair will be. The men and the
good women who have generously en-
tered heartily into the project are too
we'll known to permit anything inst does
not excel. Ore Of the many mOttOes OF
tae Masons is to "get and give your
moneys WORTH" One Of the features
not previously mentioned is the thirst
ouenchiDQ iouDtaja. The lair creatures
having this booth 10 charge hsve re-
ceiyed consignment of the lithiG water
direct from TIE very spring itsalf, and
will dispense its w-dispelliug
diaughts in liberal quafs. 1t is useless
20 attempt further description; some
thing must be left to the imagination.
The AIwer stand is also one of beauty
aud the pleasant smiles so bewitchingly
bestowed by the queens OF creation who
control j. will make one buy q bouquet
10 mst.r what sotipathy he has to
wearing one. Within the mansion OF
Mount Vernon the chair In which
George Washington sat when he pre-
sided over Aexa1dtis Lodge, and other
relics srrauged to represent The lodge
rOom sre on exhibition.
Among The novel feE lures of the fair
is a continuous performance Of moving
pictures, sn eOtrsuce having been made
10 portions OF the Elks' Home, 3D.
Joining, for this purpose. Last nigh
Old Dominion Conmsndery, Koight'
Templar, attended in uniform. Satur'
day night will be Shrner's night.
Some Inconvenience was caused be
tween 9 and 10 o'clock by the electric
lights going out, but the trouble hs
been rsmedled and tonight they viii
shine as brigh, as the dimes and dollar
which you will willingly pass into tn
hands Of the sdies.
Hereafter there will be dancing ever.
evening during the remainder of th
fair.