The San Francisco call., 1909-10-22


gIed the negro minstrel and the willy
Chinese. 1t was a peaceful and happy
gathering of the nations
Life, Dawn and Clear weather were
there-fresh and beautiful to look
upon. Lifes flaming red toned into
soft pink for the Dawn and unlocked
sky blue betokened fair weather. Amid
this merry crew stalked one who might
have stepped from a grewsome chapter
of Poe. Like that unwelcome charac-
ter of fiction he mingled with the
dancers. Poe's minister of evil wore
a red mask. The death of the Portola
was draped in a shroud of black, a skull
and cross bones in white proclaiming
his diabolical mission. Ominously near
he hovered to the press box. Then a
policeman passed the cheerful informa-
tion that the overhanging wing allotted
to the writers had been. condemned by
the board of works. Death looked up
and appeared to grin.
WARSHIP IN MINIATURE
One of the most enlivening features
was q battleship in miniature fully
equipped and manned even to the guns.
which. guided by two jolly tars in
aaring caps, glided over the floor with
as easy motion as a ferryboat on
the bay. From one part of the big hall
to another it skidded without hitch,
drawing great applause as it sped. Of
equal interest was a polar explorer in
heavy gray furs, who carried the north
spike over his shoulder, bearing on its
crest an American flag. Behind him
he dragged sled, with all the neces-
sary provisions for a dash across the
ice. He had rival in an impersona-
tion of the pole itself. Pale and pointed
it rose to a height of 10 feet, capped
with a small United States pennant.
Attached to it was a card bearing the
name of Doctor Cook. At the base of
the pole was a small iceberg, also bear
ing an American flag, and exhibiting
the card of Commander Peary.
The two poles were rivaIed by still
a third. This was a unique costume
In its general effect it looked as though
a man of unusual height had en-
shrouded himself in a gigantic bolt of
white yarn.
A unique conception was a sheaf of
wheat, the clusters of grain at feet
and head extending outward, bound in
the center by a cord. No part of the
wearer was visible.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE THERE
Woman's suffrage was there in all
its might. crimson in color and deter
mined in motto. In cap and gown the
banner on which We're the legends
Votes for women and Watch us
grow. Her cause was evidently a
popular one, for she never wanted for
partners.
Indian braves were there and gath
cred about miniature camp fire in the
center of the hall and there held a pow
WOW of their own, while dappled Jest
ers and clowns looked on
Vassar girl with modest cap and
gown of black danced with a monkey.
who showed his feet over the boards as
though he were scraping the floor of a
forest.
Mother Hubbard rubbed shoulders
with Daphne. Diana waltzed with a
cowboy. Little Boy Blue found a mer-
maid congeniaI company and took her
TO supper.
Over the eyes all wore the coIored
masks. Many inquisitive eyes tried to
fathom the identity of their neighbors.
but in few cases were they successful
AS the evening grew older many
sought the refreshment tables which
lined one side OF the hail.
MAsKERs PASS IN REVIEW
AS the hour approached midnight it
was announced that the masqueraders
would pass before the judges so that
the prizes might be awarded This was
one of the most interesting features of
the ball. AS the most attractively
garbed passed they were warmly ap-
plauded
1t was far in the morning when the
dance came to a close. It was the in
auguration of an event in San Francisco
bound TO become as famous as the New
Year celebration itself, for the Portola
masquerade ball is to be an annual
revel. F,