New-York tribune., 1921-05-01
Debutantes, Garbed
As Brigands, Stage
'Holdups' at Dance
Novel Features in Connec-
ton with Highwayman's
Ball Aid Funds for Asso-
citation for the Blind

A novel "hold-up" was staged at the
hotel Commodore Tuesday night, when
some of the seasons prettiest debu-
tantes. costumed as pirates, brigands,
gypsies and cowgirls from the Wild
West, danced the Highwayman's Ball to
success and, incidentally, raised a con-
siderable sum for the treasury of the
New York Association for the Blind. 1t
was the thirteenth annual benefit affair
for that institution and was under the
special patronage Of President and Mrs.
Harding.
There wers fully q thousand onlock-
ers when the "banditss assembled
soon after midnight for the exhibition
dances arranged by Carl Tyson and
about which there had been consider
able speculation, since no hint Of their
character had been revealed.
The first, the april Shower" dance,
was accompanied by chorus Of mems
voices. Another novel dancing feature
was presented by . group Of young
women dressed as French maids and
men as bellboys, who tripped about to
the jingling Of coins thrown to the
ballroom floor and gathered up by the
performers. Miss Cynthia Bigelow and
Allyn Marsh gave speciality dance that
was warmly encored, and "Frisco," Of
vaudeville fame, contributed some &C.
centric steps.
The place Of honor on tho program,
however, was given to four girls from
the New Yosk Lighthouse for the
Blind, who, although sightless, gave
several interpretative dances without
the help Of any sighted person. The
girls were Miss Mary Birman, Miss
Rose Resnick and Miss Lillian Hillman,
who are students at Wadleigh High
School, and Miss Hazel Crossley, who
is at Hunter College. They have been
going to the Lighthouse for several
years for their recreaNonal activities
and have received all their training in
dancing there.
Those taking part in the exhibition
dancing included Miss Betty Merchant,
Miss Constance Nash, Miss Martha
Ottley. Miss Glare Reynders, Miss
Margaret Stout, Miss Dorothy Wad-
dams, Miss Isabella Wood, Miss Gene
We've Cawthra. Miss Josephine Cotton,
Miss Suzanne de Vivier, Miss Josephine
Flood, Miss Marie La Marche and Miss
Audrey Sherman.
Society was we'll represented among
the b0xholderS. Miss Wlnlfred Holt,
founder of the New York Association
for the Blind, numbered among her
guests the Count and Countess Cosuno
Rucellai, Of Florence, Italy, at whose
invitation the American Committee for
Helping Italian Blind was formed by
Miss Holt during the war; Chevalier
U. Rochira, representing the Italian
Consulate in this city; the Marquise de
Mr.. and Mrs. Eliot Tucker
man, Mr.. and Mrs Ernest A. Bigelow,
Miss Enid Lapathorne, Of England;
Miss Sylvia Holt, Rowland Holt, r. II.
and Charles Stewart Butler.
Another box was occupied by staff Of
ficers from Governors Island, who in
cluded Lieutenant Colonel Shortell,
Major Gardner and Lieutenant Pelton.
The New York Association for the
Blind, Sill East Fifty-ninth Street, isl
tAe headquarters and center Of the sc-
tivitaes in connection with the cam
paign ROW being carried on by the
Of Lighthouses for the
blind. Miss Winifred Holt director
The committee is seeking Z fund Of
81 2,000, GOO for the care and education
Of the blind In this country. France
Rnd Italy.