But It Was A Delightful
Change From The Monotonous Life In This Out-Of-The-Way Garrison, Even
If We Did Almost Freeze On The Road, And It Was More Than Pleasant To
Be With Old Friends Again.
The ball at the hall Friday evening was most enjoyable, and it was
simply enchanting to dance once more to the perfect music of the dear
old orchestra.
And the young people in Helena are showing their
appreciation of the good music by dancing themselves positively thin
this winter. The band leader brought from New Orleans the Creole music
that was so popular there, and at the ball we danced Les Varietes four
times; the last was at the request of Lieutenant Joyce, with whom I
always danced it in the South. It is thoroughly French, bringing in
the waltz, polka, schottische, mazurka, and redowa. Some of those
Creole girls were the personification of grace in that dance.
We knew of the ball before leaving home, and went prepared for it, but
had not heard one word about the bal masque to be given by "The Army
Social Club" at Mrs. Gordon's Tuesday evening. We did not have one
thing with us to assist in the make-up of a fancy dress; nevertheless
we decided to attend it. Faye said for me not to give him a thought,
that he could manage his own costume. How I did envy his confidence in
man and things, particularly things, for just then I felt far from
equal to managing my own dress.
I had been told of some of the costumes that were to be worn by
friends, and they were beautiful, and the more I heard of these
things, the more determined I became that I would not appear in a
domino! So Monday morning I started out for an idea, and this I found
almost immediately in a little shop window. It was only a common
pasteboard mask, but nevertheless it was a work of art. The face was
fat and silly, and droll beyond description, and to look at the thing
and not laugh was impossible. It had a heavy bang of fiery red hair. I
bought it without delay, and was wondering where I could find
something to go with it in that little town, when I met a friend - a
friend indeed - who offered me some widths of silk that had been dyed a
most hideous shade of green.
I gladly accepted the offer, particularly as this friend is in deep
mourning and would not be at the ball to recognize me. Well, I made
this really awful silk into a very full skirt that just covered my
ankles, and near the bottom I put a broad band of orange-colored
cambric - the stiff and shiny kind. Then I made a Mother Hubbard apron
of white paper-cambric, also very stiff and shiny, putting a big full
ruche of the cambric around neck, yoke, and bottom of sleeves. For my
head I made a large cap of the white cambric with ruche all around,
and fastened it on tight with wide strings that were tied in a large
stiff bow under the chin.
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