The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-29

to the melody of DrdIa's Souvenir. "
naming the song Dreaming"
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The actives of the Phi Delta Theta
fraternity gave a dancing party Fri
day evening at Kellam hall for a num-
Der of rushees and their friends.
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Mrs. James Lippitt had guests at
bridge and luncheon today at the Pei
letter Tea room complimentary to Mrs.
w. Z. Stewart of Eldorado.
Places were laid for:
Mrs. Stewart Mrs. Phil Eastman
Mrs. Robert Stewart Mrs. John Alfred
Mrs. J. II. West Crow
Mrs. Frank Durant Mrs Henry strawn
Mrs. NJ. W. Watson Mrs Roy johnson
Mrs. Frank Strawn Mrs. J. r. Johnson
Mrs. Robert Ellis Mrs. W. H. Metzdorf
Mrs. Earl Kingsbury Miss Irene Horner
Miss Louise McNeal Miss Henrietta
Miss Mary Alexander Alexander
Miss Mabel House Miss Ora Moneypenny
Miss Nell Mont Miss Olga House
Miss Trma Jane Lewis Mrs Lippitt
Mrs E. S. Strachan
Mr.. Frank Peers of Topeka, son Of
Mrs. T. w. Peers, who is studying
art in Germany. has spent sever Al
weeks of this month in Vienna on
vacation trip.
Mr.. Peers has been located for some
time at Rothenburg-o OBJ der Tauber,
Germany, ami in a letter written home
June tells of an interesting his
toricaI pageant which is given each
year at Rothenburg by a number of
the aristocrats of the town.
His letter follows:
To-day has been the big day of the
year for RotAenburg. The great
pageant. or play, or what you will, of
the 'Meistertrunk' was presented and
the city has teemed with outsiders
toric event happened in 1851; but at
any rate Rothenburg fell after a pro-
longed siege by lilly and having taken
the swords of his defeated victims and
possessed himself of the keys to the
seven gates Of the city, he condemned
to death the Burgermeister and other
dignitaries and ordered the city to be
destroyed. Being thirsty Tilly called
for wine, of the best. and when he had
taken of it, he waxed more lenient and
as a joke said he would spare the city
and it's men if anyone could drink
the huge stein of wine at one draught
The old ex-Burgermeister Nusch did
the feat and Eaved the city and there
was great rejoicing.
This actually happened in 1881 and
they have celebrated every year since.
A few years ago some person drama
tized the deed and it is now the ira
dition and event of Rothenburg-
something ike the Passion Play" and
people come from all over Germany to
see it. The old aristocrats of the town
live to take the leading parts and the
whole city participates IN making the
thing a complete performance. For
three days now they have fired cannon
and rifles. just to give the proper at
moSphere and setting today. There
have been people in the old costumes
on the streets and about the Rathouse
Clown halI.
Yesterday, the pick of Rothen-
burg'S prime sixty-four strong gave
the most beautiful folk dance in the
Market Place that 1 ever saw. 1t
was a shepherds dance and the pa
rade included a sheep, a goose, three
old aristocrats with black capes and
large brimmed hats (something like
Pilgrims) besides the band-the Ger
many-est' band you ever saw.
And then today. outside the gates
1881. They prepared their meals in
the old way, with the old utensils AMI
the atmosphere of medieval times per-
vaded the whole city. There were
great heavy horses carrying men in
mail-armor, men with battle axes and
spears; and there were cannon, too.
Two performances of the play were
given to accommodate the spectators.
in the old Ratk cC sc where the original
deed took place and the same stein
was used. 1t was most impressive
and so strangely real. When word
was brought in by a soldier that the
Klingentor was taken. we knew that
same gate; and when the people gath
cred in the cathedral to pray for help.
we heard the real organ and the peo-
pie chanting; and the guns in the
street and the bells tolling.
After the performance this after
noon there was a big procession thru
the city-the most interesting 1 ever