South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-22
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

----------------
It was not quite Il. but the New
Years hilarlty had already begun.
The wine-hushed diners were blinking
glasses, singing. whispering and
throwing gayiy colOred confetti.
OverwoTked walters were lodging
tn and out through the crowded
table, bringing fresh supplies OF
champagne, for. according 70 the no
tees hung about, after 1890 no other
wine would be served.
Warren had Begun the evening by
declaring 10 was the rankest impertl-
nence for any management 20 pre-
sumo TO dictate 10 their patrons what
they should or should not drink.
Five dollars graft 20 the head
waiter before he'll serve you table -
he fumed, and FIVE dollars a plate for
your suppeT-Gad, it's a blamed impO-
sition that you can't drink beer If you
want TO.
But that had been earlier in the
evening. Now ne had just ordered a
fresh bottle Of champagne, seemingly
Indifferent 20 the exorbitant dill they
had already run up.
His face was lightly flushed and
he was garrulously insisting on telling
a story 10 which no one seemed in
slined 20 listen.
Mr. and Mrs. Stevens and Mr. and
Mrs. Dawson made up their party Of
six Helen WIS seated between War
rem and Mr.. Dawson, on whom the
wine seemed 20 have a rather quiet
ing effect, while 10 made both War
ren and Mr.. Stevenson most lOqua-
ciOus.
And now as Warren finished a par
ticularly old story. at which every
body laughed because they were
laughing anyway. Mr.. Stevens pound
ed on the table with a vigorous:
Here's one l heard at the club
the ether day-its a corker.'
A Curious Custom.
But Helen was much less interested
in the story than IN the gay scene
about her. Every one seemed TO feel
they were licensed TO relax and grow
hilarious. u - a curious custom that
favOrs the greeting Of the New Year
with muddled brain and the prospect
of a racKing headache the next day.
And yet this Broadway restaurant
and hundreds Of others were crowded
10 suffocation with people eager TO
celebrate New Years eve in just this
way-with lavish expenditure and a
half tipsy revelry.
Most OF the men wore the fancy
paper hats given as tavOrs by the
management. ard "a they were all in
faultless evening dress, the effect was
most grotesque Some OF the women
had perched the caps over their elab-
orately dressed hair, but as a rule
risk looking ridiculous.
do YOU see that woman over
there" Mrs. Stevens whispered TO
Helen across the table. The one in
pale yellow? Isn't il dreadful"
The woman was cOnspicuOusly
gOwned In shimmering. pale yellow
satin. cut very low and ablaZe with
Jewels. and she was now buSily tying
q long white kid glove around the
neck Of her escort.
Mono. the order OF the Garter .
not the Order Of the Glove some
body called out. at which there was a
fresh burst OF laughter.
The orchestra was almost drowned
in the noise. but now and then the
strain OF a popular air could be heard
A man at a nearby table was dong a
sort Of turkey trot with his arms ana
shoulders, without rising from his
chair. and another was clapplng time
with his hands and feet.
What's the matter Why haven [
I got a cap" demanded Warren sud
denly. "Oh. here's mine. somebody S
knocked it on the floor"
"Oh. dear. don't put that on" plead
ed Helen. as he held up blue and gilt
paper helmet with trailing paper
plume
WHY not" adjusting st jauntily.
WHAT'S the matter with that ?" bend
ing over 10 get a glimpse Of himself
in the mirroFed wall Don't that suit
my style Of beauty"
1T looks so foolish" whispered
Helen. please don't wear it,"
''Foolishl How about stevens
You're not kicking about his. Think
ne looks all right, don't yOu2"
Mr. Stevens was wearing pink tur-
han like effect. with long streamers.
which was absurdly cOmical with his
bald head and round, hOrid face.
"Oh. Mrs. Curtis thinks ] look well
in anything. Isn't thai it, beamed
Stevens
Noise in Plenty.
Helen tried TO smile. but above
everything else she hated fhe maud
lin. foolish stage which most men
reach when they have had much wine
SAY" demanded Mrs. Dawson.
abruptly. Where's the horns
Haven't heard one have YOU ?"
why. they passed an ordinance
that they weren't 10 be allowed In any
OF the restaurants tonight. Didn't
you know that2"
ct think they make quite enough
noise without any horns" commented
Mrs. Stevens. Its really shocking
the way they carry on"
Vol. we came here 20 be shocked
didn't we?" grinned Warren. we
feel we hadn't got our moneys worth
Al IL was decent. orderly crowd.
Suddenly "a party of four at a table
near the center Of the room began 90
sing. They were plainly professional
foR their trained voices could oe
n ard even above the uproar
f"Why. the OrcheStras playing with
Dem" murmured Helen
"Of course. they are hired by thu