The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-09-09
rHE COSTUME BALL
The Seasons Gala Event. Historic
Socieiy's Eaorts Are Successful A
Substantial sum Realized.

Z
Substantial sum Realized.
On thursday night 1t seencd a,
though nearly every peseH that be
nred in Manchester, or ever had
passed through Manchester, were tax
ing The evening afT and reviSiting tin
tewn and making the Gymnasium Of
Blu aad Blu. ton their stopping place
IL aim Il seemed as though the spirits
u tire departed were again on earth
for among the costumes that appeared
we're many Of date that goeth back
to the early days in America
Although it w:s very late by the
time the music arrived there was no
ag"ing cf the festivities of the even
ing for the guests commenced 10 ar
rive by eight o'clock and by the time
the music started il was impossible to
get standing room in the gallery and
it was almost impossible to pass on
the floor Of the gymnasium, as large
as that is. Never in the history Of the
building has such crowd thronged
the doors and never was there a mer-
rier crowd. The surprise Of the even
ing came when, on entering the hall,
the charming decorations We're seen.
AT the request of the committee on
decorations Chas. s. Robinson con
sented TO lend his aid, and everyone in
N M;schester has reason to know that in
such matters, Mr. Robinson has no
superior in these parts.
The dance opened with Grand
March led by Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur b.
Marsden and DR.. and Mrs. Linwood NJ.
Kelley The crowd Of dancers was so
great that it was impossible for all
tl,ose who wished to join in to do so.
As the marchers went past il was
possible to note the varied costumes.
1t is too bad that it is impossible 10
give the names Of all the individual
costumes, who wore them and what
thcy represented, as great many of
the costumes were arranged to repre-
sent the names of books, while cos
tunes of the olden times were quite
a bit in evidence as were some fancy
costumes.
In order that all present might en-
ter into the spirit Of the affair and
dance there were two sets of music
ians, Cox's Orchestra of seven pieces
from Rutland, and Mr. and Mrs.
Frasier Mears Of Arlington, the latter
the music for some Of the
square and contra dances. the music
being provided by small organ and
a violin The calling Of Mr.. Mears
was something entirely new to a great
many of those present inasmuch as
for some Of the figures he sang the
changes.
A committee was appointed to
award prizes for the best costumes.
This was not an easy sort of a job,
but they did the work and w. w. Lee,
Jr., made the announcement. On ae
count OF the fact that there were two
different ideas used in the costuming, |
the committee divided the prizes. |
Two were awarded TO those in colonial
costume and two TO those represent
.ng book titles. The prize for ladies |
in colonial costume went to Mrs.
Arthur B. Marsden, while that for a
book title went to Miss Laura Steele,
"The Love Letters Of an
Old Maid" For the men f. II. Swift
was given the first prize as an IN
Lique and the book prize went to
Frank Croker, representing "The
Harvester"
Refreshments OF ice cream cones,
emonade and cake were on sale end
brought in a goodly amount. The net
Of the affair amounted to
,ver 5000.
The success Of this event cannot be
neaeured in dollars and cents alone.
the affair, taken rs a whole, was the
}. st that Manchester has ever seen and
great credit upon those upon
yhom the arduous duties OF carrying