BAL MASQUE AT NEW BERLIN

(Feb. 1877)

   The entertainment given by Crystal Hose Company of New Berlin, last Thursday evening, was one well calculated to gratify its members.  The hall was prettily decorated with pictures and evergreens.  Costumes in abundance were furnished by a Syracuse gentleman, so that no one could complain that he had "nothing to wear."  Richardson's Orchestra, of Hamilton, provided music for the evening.  The grand entree of the masked ones took place soon after nine.  

   Very few dressed in character, but the costumes seemed to be selected according to the ideal of the grotesque, inherent in each.  The red men of the North, and the black man of the South were represented.  There was much variety in the disguises, several of which were unique and attractive, some grim and forbidding.  Two stately ladies dressed alike, nearly all in white, called, "the twins" made rather a queenly appearance on the floor, and were graceful dancers.

   The part of the room allotted the masqueraders was well filled, while a large number of spectators crowded the space reserved for them.  Supper was provided at the hotel of Mr. Beers, and partaken of about midnight, directly after the unmasking.  Then the dancing became general, and ended at 4 a.m.  Many were present from other towns.  Something like eight-five numbers were sold.

   The young lady, now famous, who made such havoc among the members of Dickinson's Orchestra, when it came near losing its head, was a participant, though not en masque.

                                                                                                                                                                                    J.

NOTE:  THE DATE WAS HAND-WRITTEN ON THE ARTICLE.