The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-13

first floor. Built around this space
in arena style were the boxes-sixty of
them, each box holding from four to
eight people. In the rear perched high
above the heads of the dancers was
the spectators seats and at the front
of the big hall at the same height was
the twenty piece orchestra hidden be-
hind palms and flags and bunting.
The red, white and blue flags were ar
ranged as a predominating decoration
and the artistic effects were most
pleasing.
In the floor above the flag decora-
ton was carried out. Here were ia
The wrap rooms were on this floor,
also.
The big building was lighted bril-
liantly. Immense clusters of tung
stem lights made the hall as light as
day and the scene of three hundred
well dressed, fine looking couples on
the floor at one time responding to
the music above was one of the most
beautiful social effects of the season.
--- And They All Danced.
Many of the older people purchased
boxes last night, thinking that they
would spend the evening watching the
dancers on the floor. But after a few
two-steps and waltzes had been dane
ed-the boxes commenced thinning
Out-and before the first part of the
evening had departed the grace and
beauty of the old time dances came
back, gray haired men and women
were transformed into the memories
of old, and fitting sons and daughters
stared in amazement at their parents
frolicking on the slippery floor with
the activity and bloom of youth re-
turned to their physical beings.
Il sat there in that box drumming
the floor with my feet so long that I
RRnIdn;T stand If Ion - 9fd q
portly business man between breaths.
Then I turned to my wife and-say
don't you know, I didn't have to say
word to her. We both jumped to our
feet and in two minutes we were out
there on that slippery wax dancing
like mad"
He caught his breath a minute and
continued.
Il tell you this is the best time I
have had since I was young-since I
thought nothing of staying on the floor
until daylight-and then starting out
on days work. I believe that I will
organize a dancing club to be COM
posed of people who are past the
age
But at this point his wife tugged at
Rag" (think, of tia rag time piece)
came down from the orchestra.
With his stately wife pulling him
to the floor the man gave a parting
shot
Call me up in the morning and I'll
tell you about it haven't time now
for explanations I must be" but
his voice was drowned in the laughter
and hum of voices as he swirled ma
jestically to the center of the hall.
That's the way dad and mother"
felt last night. If the charity ball was
planned for the sake of charity and
for that purpose only-it did charit-
able work among the spirits and dis
positions of scores of dyed-in-the-wool
business men who sit in their offices
day after day scowling at their clerks
and freezing the atmosphere of their
surroundings.
There was a woeful lack of young
people at the ball last night.
In the first place it is too near
Christmas and in the second place we
are in need of charity ourselves ex-
planned one of the society lions of the
younger set who stood outside the door
watching his father step out of a car
riage with his sons opera hat on his
head and the only boiled" shirt in the
house on his back.
Probably that secret shouldn't be re-
leased but it was true just the same.
One silk hat and one boiled shirt is
enough for any average family and the
son was willing to watch his father
put on the dog"
Only Dress Suits.
Speaking of "clothes"-there were rs
many dress suits as there were men at
the bail. With a crowd of 1 900 people.
this is record-a record that should
make Kansas proud-because Kansas
has little use for high hats. white ties.
tummy cover vests and floating coat
tails.
There were three men by actual
count who went to the ball in their
Church clothes-and they bid their
wives goodbye for the time being as
they slipped out of the building and
chased frantically home.
A business suit in that crowd looked
about as well IS Mayor Billiard preach
ing prohibition
1t was impossible for anyone to be
lonesome last night-it was no place
for the "chair-warmers'' and coffee
eolers.' At the door each guest was
met bX a committee YEA ring red rib