The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 29, 1895, Page 18

18 has come and gone, and | If on the tloodtide of the iing as bright an le, ané as much members ¢ The sea but six weeks left re Lent : 18), and it will be with difficulty that the en- tertainments can be crowded into so short time. After Christmas is ihe period when society is really in earnest; all that goes before is more or less preparatory; many people, espe the married women, do not all until after th ma e season has been an exception to his, however, for it commenced unnsually for San Fran- of which TuE back as September. CALL predicted as far his has been so no one seems to know, could have been the October weddings. The debutante | as smaller than usnal. People arey not particularly well off this year, but| they have been full of energy and enter- | e, and have made this season a marked | one among our society yea Just why ear has com 1goout with a rush. The char- of the -entertainments hav ith the season, of course, the | tea and reception must now give place to | the dance, the theater and dinner party | d suppers after the small dancing classes. | A great man ners were given this year before Chri dances, but these are the formal and swell vet to come will be. After the new s w cer given in quite y that the dinners | Toe dinner before the large dance but leads up to the dance to come. Its hours | are short, the puests, sofar from being | able to linger on the good things of tie | meal and the evening aiterward, are always hurried to get to the hall before the dance is too farover. The meén almost always have partners and nowadays when the seats are in such demand and the girls so energetic inarriving early to get good ones, a man must be on band by 9 or 9:30 o’clock, soa german dinner must be slurred over somewhat. The dinners are also given generally to the younger people, who prefer dancing to the pleasures of the table; but the season is now at hand when the married people commence to entertain, and to en- tertain for their own benefit and pleasure. There is a certain set that bid each other to dinner, and the dinners are not divided up in any way, but are made the business of the evening, and it is seldom that the young people, especially the young men, | get a chance at them. Dinner invitatione in New York are said to be sentouta month beforehand, so as to secure the requisite number of guests, and, although those invited appreciate the | necessity of such a course, they often re- luctantly accept, asone does not like to promise for even a pleasant thing so long | ere it takes place, as it is well known that nothing but sudden death can absolve from a dinner engagement. The prospects for a gay New Year at Del Monte and Burlingame were never more promising. Quite a number left on yester- day’s train for the former place, and on Tuesday the residences of Henry Scott, Joe Grant, Will Crocker, the Dick Tobins, Peter Donahue and Walter Hobart will be filled with their friends. There will be polo, some races and a dance at the club- bouse on New Year’s eve. At Del Monte there is sure to be an enjoyable time, and mine host Arnold has everything in readi- ness. The music is already there, so a good time is assured. The bathhouse is open and & midwinter plunge and swim will not be a bad idea. The annual ball will take place on the night of the 31st and some good sport will be enjoyed on the New Year. S Mrs. Horace Blanchard Chase has ar- rived in Chicago, where she is visiting her husband’s relations. Miss Marie Voorhies, who went to At- lanta to represent the branch here of the Daughters of the Revolution, is now the guest of her sister, Mrs, Malcolm Henry, at her honre in Washington, D.-C. The return of Mrs. Southard Hoffman, Miss Hoffman and Miss Alice Hoffman is yet uneertain, but they are expected some time before the Lenten season. The theater party given by Miss Mina Behwabscher wos a thoroughly enjoyable affair. After the performance the young peopls repaired to the Oalifornia” Hotel, where & dance followed. Mige Muary Kip gave a very enjoyable ! liance Clab. THE SAN FRANCIS | | dinner party on Christmas day to a num- ber of her friends. 3Mr. and Mrs. Richard Derby entertained i G. A. Hastings, the Mi a Hastings, Mr. S. Palmer nd Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Palmer at a dinner at the Albany Hotel, Oa Christmas night. Mr. and Mrs, C. 0. G a number of relati including the Mhoons and Herricks, at Christmas. | The party of the Friday Night Club of Alameda will take place on the evening| of January 3 at Lunt’s Hall. Alameda. | Over in Oakland the german of the| Deux Temps Club on last Saturday even- ing wasa very successful affair, the vari- ous figures proving very pretty and being danced with much precision. A. A. Moore Jr., with Miss Lillian Strong, led. figures danced were the| ow March,” “Driving Polo,” | “Pyramid” and “The Battalioch.” The others in the first set, in-addition to the Miller entertained | leaders, were: Miss Mary end W. Sanbor: E and Isaac Upham, Miss Jessie Glascoc | end TLieutenant Smedberg, Miss Myra | Prather and B. Metcalf, Miss Louise | Simons and Walter Henry, Miss Ethel Kitridge and Harr and E. 8. Sessions. s Huntington and Sidney Pringle, Miss Bernie Sanders and Hart H. North, Miss Rockham and Ernest Folger, Miss Carmine Moore and Raymond Russ, Miss Elsie Bennett and Thomas Par- lick, Miss Beatrice Stale and John San- born, Miss Grace Holt and Mr. Baldwin. | On December 26 Miss Rachel Read of Alameda avenue, Alamada, celebrated her eignteenth birthday with a luncheon to which eight young gentlemen and ladies sat down. It was a very pretty bud and bonnie affair, | At the residence of ex-Judge John Gar- ber at Claremont an elaborate Christmas | dinner was given by Miss Garber. Most of the guests were Berkelev people. Last Friday night the Fortnightly Danc- ing Club of Oakland gave its regular ball in Military Hall. From the number pres- ent on the floor it is evident that the club | is as popular and its members as enthusi- | astic as ever. Paul Selby and Miss Adams led the german, introducing some pretty and graceful figures. Amongthosein the first set besides these were: Miss Helen Nelson, the Misses Lohse, George Sessions, Miss Beale, Mr. Kayser, Miss Crit, Mr. Sharon, Miss Allen, Cldrence Creed, Miss Vrooman, Joseph Rosborough, Miss Selby, Miss Hale, Tom Knowles, Miss Grace Baldwin, Miss Fore, Harry Chickering, Miss McElrath, Mr. Potter and Miss Clift. The Butte football team was ‘given a sumptuous banquet ¥'riday night at Bar- num’s restaurant, in Oakland, by the Re- President Robert Fitzgerald of the latter organization presided, and the evening was passed very pleasantly, with speech-making and aunecdotes. The fes- tivities were carried far into the night. Manager Stivers, in behalf of Butte, said | that he was extremely sorry that the boys from Montana bad been beaten, but since they had, he was glad that Reliance, and not some other team, had defeated them. Defeat atthe handsof such a team, he thought, was no disgrace. Fernwood, near Oakland, the country home of Mr.and Mrs. William J. Dingee, was the scene of a joyous Christmas cele- bration, to which nearly 100 guests were invited. The spacious house and magnifi- cent grounds were brilliantly illuminated and decorated. The guests were received by the family, including Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dingee, Mre. Rose, the mother of Mrs. Dingee, Lieutenant and Mrs. W. | D. Rose, the lieutenant being VMrs. Din- gee’s brother, and Colonel and Mrs. Al- vinza Hayward of San Mateo, the latter being the parents of the wife of an- other brotber of Mrs. Dingee’s, who is now absent in Europe, but who was especially remembered and toasted in the course of the evening as being among “the absent ones.” Among the guests were Mr. Dingee’s employes and their respective families, and for each and all Santa Claus, under Mrs. Dingee's guidance, had a hand- somé present. Christmas day was the occasion of a family reunion at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Tubbs in East Oakland. Yesterday from 4 to 7 o’clock Mrs. CoH, Holt of Madison street, Oakland, gave a high tea followed by a dinner to the re- ceiving party. The fourth annual Christmas festival and ball of the Danish Society was held in Washington Hall, 35 Eddy street, last evening. The exercises began with a Christmas tree presided over by the Rey. Horn, Miss Moflitt | dence of the brid | best man. Following the ceremony wasa re- | T. Mervy at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. Nunken, where the children were pre. sented with gifts. This was followed by | the ball, which iasted t1ll morning. WEDDINGS IN VIEW. | Matrimonial Events on the Tapis for the | Fear Paturs, | The wedding of Miss Annie Asher and George Levy will take place on New Year's day at 1929 Sutter street. gement is announced of Miss Lena Joseph, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Joseph htig of San Fran- rey will be at_home Sunday, January t 1334 South Grand avenue. he gement of Miss lda M. Lewis and Millard F. McDonald is announced. The wed- ding will take place next Tuesday evening in Alameda. Miss Lewis is the sister of Captain and Mr: A. Durkee of 1152 Regent sireet. Mr. McDonald is & well-known young man of Oekland. BEFORE THE ALTAR. A wedding unique in its charming simplicity took place at Oax Chapel, Piedmont, Thurs- day, December 26, when Miss Lizzie Jean Blair and John H. Barber were united in mar- riuge by Rev. rgil Boyer. The ceremony took place at 10 o’clock in the forenoon at the pretty little oak embowered chapel near Glen Echo and the home of the bride. There were present only the immediate relatives of the ride and groom, and the affair was entirely ! without ostentation or display. After the words had been spoken which made them man and wife Mr. and Mrs. Barber re- paired, with the members of the two families present, to the home of the mother of the bride, Mrs. Penel, M. W. Blair, on Piedmont avenue, where a dainty wedding breakfast was partaken of. The bride and groom remain in Oakland for a few days, leaving next Tuesday for Santa Monica, where Mr. Barber has been appointed to take charge of the forestry station under_the department of agriculture of the State University. The nuptials of George Washington Detjens of Pleasanten, Cal., and Miss Ada lone Sands of Belmond, lowa, were celebrated at the resi- | e’s eunt, Mrs. F. A. Cutter, easanton, at 1:30 o'clock Christmas after- The rooms were beautifully decorated ivy, ferns, palms, mistletoe and holly Logan officieted and Miss Cora nnid and Harold Hewett the | | ception, which was attended by about seventy- five friends of the young people, George Maemillan, formerly captain of the Reliance football tenm, but now with the Butte team, was married last night to Miss Frances Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Mervy, on Seventeenth street. Both the young people are well known in Oakland. The ding was & quiet one and only the closest friends of the contracting parties were vresent. Both the Butte and Reliance teams were present to witness the nuptials. The young couple left with the Butte team | last night. They will stop at Portland en | route for Montana, where they will reside. |1 On_ Christmas night there was a wedding at the residence of Mr. French, 217 Tenth street, Oakland, when Fred French, son of the hosts, was married to Mids Emma Jones. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Joues of C'alaveras County. T tended by Preston Hampton. Theceremony was performed by Rev. Father Akerly of St. John’s Episcopal church. The residence was decorated with ferns, holly berries and flowers. At 10 o’clock an elegant supper was served, around which gathered the bride and groom, the parents of both, Miss Henrletta Jones and Mrs. Leonora Heynes, sisters of the bride; the Misses Edoa and Ethel French, sisters of the room; Mrs. May Grainger, Mrs. H. A. Mills, Mrs. L. e, Miss Jennie L. Norris, Mrs. Knawl rs. H. B. Curscupper; Messrs. Pres- ton Hampton, James Russeil, T. Lawrence, A. J. Tait, Frank M. Norris and A. Akerly Jr. : Tgu newly wedded couple will reside in Oak- and. leasant nd Mrs. C. L. he §_room Was at- BARRY CHRISTMAS PARTY. Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Barry gave & grand Christ- mes tree party on Tuesday evening last, De- cember 24, at their residence on Larkin street, corner Green, which was a pleasant affair, the house being handsomely decorated for the oc- casion with violets and ferns. At midnight an elaborate supper was served. Dancing, sing- ing and games were kept up till a late hour in the morning. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Barry, Mr. and Mrs, 8. F. Hodj kins, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. C. Schib- by, Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Bowdich, Miss Ethel McCarthy, Miss Grace McCarthy, Miss M. Bris- coll, Miss L. Eichbuse, Miss Nellie A. Monroe, Miss C. Miss T. O’Connor, M Miss F. Schibby, M. H. Barry, T. Hall. SURPRISE IN THE MISSION. An enjoyable surprise party was tendered Miss May Cooper last Thursday evening &t her home, 1507 Twenty-fourth street. The affair was managed by her numerous friends, and the evening was charmingly spent in singing, dancing, games and conversation until the early hour of the morning, when a novel re- ast was served. Among those presont were: r. and Mrs. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs, Mower, Mr. and Mra. E. Dettner, Miss M. Cooper, Miss Lulu Fischer, Miss Salina Cooper, Miss Minnie Fischer, Miss H. Driscoli, Miss Louis Leven- berg, Miss Lilly Doherty, Miss Lyde Doherty, Miss Jennie Hellam, Miss Olie Hellam, Miss A. Seipel, Miss May Bronner. Miss A. Pierce, Miss D. Creu;. Miss C. Schohay, Miss D. Scno- hay, Miss E. Paulin, Miss Louf;- Trautfether, Miss Lizzie Osthoff, Misses Lucy and Ella Cooper, Miss Mary Schobay, Miss Ettie Welsh, E. Davidsow E. Hughes, F. Todt, G. Kellenber- er, G. Reblian, Willism Koeng, F. Koenis, \Viiliam Bchohey, G. Lindow,William Schwartz, ¥. Mu;s,CA.s (_:ubllew.ill Adgtau. .L.‘ Yoll!c, H. oomey, C. Seipel, William Grundig, H. Soeley and J. Slgko. > e e THE FUTURE. Events Programmed to T Early Date, Among the events of the future is the old . Pope, B. Pope, 3 e Place st an | G. Muller, treasurer | out_invitations to its evening-dress ball on | fied the enterprise of the manager solicita- | | distinetion in the service. CO clothes party, to be given on New Year's eve by Miss Blanche Normen. All the young people are to appear in their oldest and shab- biest attire and various surprises arein order. Another New Year's event is the card party o be given by Miss Kittridge of Oakland. The Alameda Cotillon Club has reorganized this season and with great success. The par- ties are beifig well attended and, as the male element is decidedly in the majority, the girls are sure of a good time. There is & proposition at hand to form here what will be called the San Francisco Golf Club. Mr. Harry Babcock is one of the prime movers in the project,and it is probable that William Robertson of Burlingeme will act as instructor. The golf links will be on the Pre- f’ldin and will be ready about the middle of anuary. The n’ext cotillon of the Bachelors and Bene- dicts in Oakland is to be a bal poudre 2nd is to beled by Miss Jessie Coleman and Mr. Harry Knowles. » There will be a dance on January 4 at the }‘lnwl Richeliew, given by the guests in the ouse. The members of the Mystics are making ex- tensive preparations for their openiug party of 1896, which will take place on Tuesday even- ing, Janvary 14, at Unjon-square Hall. Inyi- tations are now out and will be limited to the friends of the Mystics, The following gentle- men have charge of the affair: W. W. Sale, esident; M. L. Reynolds, vice-president; H. ; K. Matheson, secretary. Bay City Parlor No. 104, N. 8. G, W., ent Friday evening, January 3, at Armory Hall. ‘The San Francisco Scottish Thistle Club will hold its fourteenth annusi banquet and ball at B'nai B'rith Hall, 121 Eddy street, Tuesday evenmg. December 31. ‘‘Hogmany” being specially dear 10 all Scotchmen, a large ana brilliant assemblage will attend. AT CORONADO. A Cay Week at the Big Hotel by the Sea, CORONADO, Car., Dec. 28.—John F. Merrill and party of eight are enjoying picnics, drives and merry outings at the Hotel del Coronado. Among prominent San Franciscans at vresent guests of Hotel Coronado are: Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Stone and children, with W. C. Stone and Miss Jennie Hobbs. Christmas week has beefi exceedingly gav at_the Hotel del Coronado. The decorations and entertainments were all of the most elaborate description, and a large number of visitors partook of the sumptuous dinner served among Christ- mas greens in the big dining-room. A full- dresshop in the grand baliroom closed the festivities, and was the most brilliant affair of the season, Robert H. Noble, U. 8. A, is making his | home zt the Hotel del Coronado. Dr. E. 8. Bogert, U. 8. N., has this week joined his wife at the home of Mr. and Mrs. K. H. Wad ronado Beach. The epigram that “Good Americaps, when they die, go to Paris,” might be varied by saying that every notable men when he travels goes to the Palace Hotel. The London Ciub man, the Parisian boule- vardier, the Unter den Linden swell, as well as the magnate and man of affairs, have pronounced upon the supremacy of the Palace among the world’s caravan- saries. Of course this happy result is not due alone to the magnificence of the struc- ture, its costly furnishing, er even its un- equaled cuisine, but the combination of all these, with every up-to-date accommo- dation suggested by the new needs of a metropolitan city. Tt was in_ this spirit that the Palace Hotel established the ladies’ griliroom, whose popularity was at once established | among the fair ones of this City and justi- tous for the convenience and enjoyment of its patrons. 5 Another feature has been added that in- creases siill further the attractions of this favorite resort of the ladies of San Fran- | cisco. A ladies’ dressing-room, elegantly appointed, has been joined to the Jadies’ grillroom near the Market-street end, and | a waiting-maid is always in attendance. Now the lady downtown shopping, or | after the matinee, can avail herselt of the | luxuriant seclusion of the dressing-room, | where all trace of dust and fatigue may be | removed and added zest given to the appe- | tizing luncheon awaiting her in the ladies’ | rillroom. Just now, when the purchase of | | New Year’s gifts engages the attention of So many of our ladies, the grillroom is the center of animated gatherings. where many well-known socieiy belles and ma- | trons discuss over their luncheon the | events of the day. rerhaps when we take an account of the attractive power of the cuisine, the central location, the trained corps of attaches. the | reasonable prices, the charming surround- ings and the conveniences above enume- rated it is only what might be expected. “FIGHTING BOB." How Captain Evans of the Navy Gained His Sobriquet. An inquiry was addressed to Captain Evans as to how he gained the sobriquet of “Fighting Bob.” His reply was mod- estly given. *‘Ido not like the subject,” hesaids *I never courted tiat kind of Iam no more of a fighter and no more entitled to that title than any other officer. Every man in the United States navy will fight when it is his duty to do so. Courage is a uni- versal quality among Americans. Cow- ardice among Americans, either afloat or ashore, 18 8o rare that it is not worth con- sidering. If the captain of a battle-ship | with 500 men on board or the colonel of a | regiment of 1000 American regular: goes into action he does not make a | discount of one-hundredth part of | per cent for backine or skulking | illustrations of this characteristic of Ameri- cans was the behavior of the Yorktown’s crew under my command in Valparaiso harbor. A very bad and hostile feeling prevailed against Americans at that time. The Yorktown became the asylum of cer- tain political refugees. The Government on top at that time demanded the surren- der of these people. I refused to give them up. The commanding officer at Val- paraiso of the Chilean forces requested the admiral commanding one ot one European squadrons on that station to say to me that unless these refugees were surren- dered they would follow my ship to sea with three’ cruisers, each larger than my own, and an ironclad nearly four times her size, and as soon as we got outside the marine league they would heave me to and demand the surrender of the fugirives, I asked the admiral to excuse me fora moment and went_to see those who had placed themselves in my care. Isaid to them that I had promised them an asylum and to convey them in safety to Callao, Peru, and I meant to live up to that Eromlse. I then: told them what I had eard. I'told them that the Chilean fleet might attack me, and that in that event [ would doubtless be overpowered. .‘But,’ I continued, ‘the asylum that I have guaranteed to you shall be good until my ship is under water. If you are satisfied with that kind of an asylum you are wel- come to it. “They ail assented and I then returned to the admiral and stated that I would not surrender the men. He then informed me, as I -already stated, that I would be followed, and 'he remarked that if the three big Chilean ships attacked me my little Yorktown would not last thirty min- utes. In reply I requestod the admiral to say to the otficer commanding the Chilean squadron that while my little ship might not last more than thirty minutes, ‘She will make a — of a lot of trouble while she is afloat.’ Ido not know whether the European admiral gave this message in these words, but I do know that I steamed out of Valparaiso Bay the next day about noon with all my refugees aboard, and that no ship of the Chilean squadron fol- o hatacit of he “F: at sort of thing explains the “Fight- ing Bob.” . & —_————— Apropos of the fact that the Western Union Telegraph Company and the American Bell Telephone Company’s con- tract exxu;u in Noyember, 1896, a Boston capitalist is quoted as ssying: ‘‘There seems {0 be no good reason why the Bell Telephone cumpln{;hou.ld not then go immediately into the telegraph business onnhr%e scale, and secure at least one- half of the total business done." on the part of his men. One of the best | CALL, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1895. COURIERS OF COMMERCE. The Traveling Salesmen Close Their Annual Meeting With High Jinks. LIST OF OFFICERS ELECTED. Constitution and By.Laws Revised. Good Feeling Among Members—A Delightful Evening. 3 » Party spirit, without even a soupcon (fi bitterness, was rampant at the closing ses- sion of this year’s annual meeting of the Pacific Coast Commercial Travelers’ Asso- ciation yesterday afternoon. Fraternal Hall in the Alcazar building was crowded with as fine' looking a body of men as could well be found anywhere. Each member, while observing to the letter all the canons square, all bustle and bluster to the con- trary, notwithstanding. | " The following-named directors were d; | clared elected: S. Moseley Woods, J. O. Eubanks, A. C. Boldemann, A. Wgfll, B. B. Galland, A. F. Wheaton, J. Phillips, Bi Schloss, W. F. Peterson, J. B. Treadwel and J. A. Wilson. In a very neat little speech President Barrett presented the new directors to the members as the future { pillars of the association, not neglecting to { remind the directors themselves that the | good name and success of the socicty dur- ng the coming year would de; nd in great art upon the manner in which they might Yulflll the obligations imposed upon them. The new directors then went into execu~ tive session for the purpose of electing from amid their number the officers to serve during the ensuing twelve months. | After being in seclusion for about balf an { hour the directors re-entered the hall and | announced that they had elected Mr. ‘Woods as president, Mr. Eubanks as vice, president and re-elected Mr. Boldemann as secretary, giving him the office of treas- urer as welf according to the revised con- stitution. As each officer’s name was announced it was greeted with a storm of applause, the members seeming to lose sight of al former personal preferences now that the | election was over. Speeches of congratu- | lation were then the order of procedure until an adjournment was taken for the of giving the members-a chance hasty dinner before the evening’s | purpose to take a revelry. Mirth unconfined and gayety unchecked of gentlemanly decorum, was a law unw‘ held sovereign dominion at B'nai B'rith S. MOSELEY WOODS, THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE COM- MERCIAL TRAVELERS’ ASSOCIATION. [From a photograph.] himself so far as his preferences went in the matter of the new officers and directors to be elected. Wherever a man had an ax | to grind or a friend to serve, he made no secret of it, but started to work right lust- ily and endeavored to enlist as many in his cause as possible. The morning session was entirely execu- tive and was devoted exclusively to the revision of the constitution and by-laws. Forsome time past the leadine spirits o f the association have considered the former constitution and by-laws rather loosely hung. Tue conviction was general among the membérs that a wnolesale revision of both documents was 1mperatively de- | manded. Accordingly, amid motions and counter motions, amid bursts of eloquence and clouds of smoke from many a frag- rant Havana, the revision was made. President Barrett was in the chair, and displayed rare diplomacy in preserving enthusiasm from all danger of degenerat- ing into disorder and confusion. Among the new provisions inserted were the fol- lowing: 2 No one can_henceforth be admitted to meme bership who has not completed his twenty-first vear; the offices of treasurer and secretary will i)e united in one person; measures are to be adopted to secure suficient attendance at the meetings, and members are to regard it as a point of honor that the transactions of the association shail not be divulged haphazard among outsiders, though no oath or obuigation to secrecy, properly so called, will be exacted. Furthermore, the constitution and by- laws were made to conform in certain F. C. Boldemann, Secretary of the Com- mercial Travelers’ Convention. [Sketched by a “Call” artist.] techuical requisites to the provisions of the Political Code of the State, the associa- tion to be and remain a regularly incor- porated and legally recognized society in | accordance with the laws governing and regulating similar organizations. esolutions of respect and condolence weré adopted in noting the deaths of four members during the year, and in the case of one who had died 2 few daysafter pay- ing his annual dues in adyance, the amount was ordered refunded to the widow, President M. Feintuch and Secretary H. Bennett Jr., of the Merchants’ Credit Association of California, were introauced to the assembled members. Mr. Fein- tuch read a brief paper in which Le gavea resume of the objects had in view by his society, and bespoke for it the co-operation of the Travelers’ Association, stating in a few well-chosen words the advantages which in his opinion would result in case both societies could week in harmony. plnlzer was piaced on file and a vote of thanks was tendered the Merchants’ Credit Association for its fraternal cour- tesy. iYhs afternoon session was altogether given up to the election of the new officers and directors, and & breezy, noisy session it was. The best of feeling prevailed, but each member had his say and held hisown. There was no bulldosing, no railroading, no crooked methods. e balloting was viewed by all and none can have a chance tosay that the election was not fair and Hall last night. The Pacific Coast Com- mercial Travelers’ Association was hold- ing the last session of its annual meeting. About 300 memvers and a few invited guests were present. 0 5 Mr. Davis, the genial chairman of the entertainment committee, acted as master of ceremonies. Mr. Davis made a very cordial and unique address of welcome. His Honor the Mayor of Oakland, John L. Davie, was the next speaker, and dis- | tingaished himself by a_brilliant outburst | ot ¢invivial eloguence, which earned him many cheers. The retiring president then took the floor. Ina few well-chosen words he ex- tended a_cordial welcome to all present and thanked all friends of the association } for the kindly feclings manifested in its regard. g 1 this connection he took occasion to refer in the most flatfering terms to Tne | Carw's attitude toward the association, and concluded by suggesting that a vote of thanks be tendered the paper. The vote was unanimons and enthusiastic. Then commenced 2n° unconventional programme, which lasted far into the morning. During the inspiring strains of the “Lustspiel Overture’” Mr. Davis pre- sented the retiring president with a ln}mb some silver dinner service, the gift of all he members. : Mr. Barrett made a graceful hddress of thanks, and then the evening’s fan con- tinued. The best singers and declaimers from the various theaters con:nbuoea their rt to the general enjoyment. paYl s orgzhestra rel’)d{'}red a number of classical and popular selections, Thomas Evans sang “The Bedouin’s Love Song and *“Marguerite” in’ charming style, and Mr. Davis electrified all present by his phenomenal success a “‘living picture. Others; among them John Bonnet, recited classic poems or stirring orations. OUR AMERICAN POETS. R. H. Stoddard Gives His Recollections of Them. If I were what Iam not and never shall be—a writer of essays, personal or im- personal—there is one subject in which T am persuaded I could interest literary readers, and that is the impressions that men of genius have made on the minds of those who saw them for the first time. I should select authorsin preference to other men of genius, and among them I would ‘| begin with poets, who have always bad a strange fascination for me. Iwould take them when they were becoming conscious of their powers, but not too conscious of them; when they were young epough, simple enough and natural enough to wonder at and enjoy their gifts, ingenu- ously, sincerely and modestly. I have known, more or less, most Amer- ican poets who were worth knowing, be- ginning in my early vears with youngs of my own age. Tor, Boker, Read, man, and_continuing, as the vears went on, with Bryant, Lowell and Longfeliow; and among my scanty pleasures of memory the most precious in my eyes are those connected with the hours when the orbit of my life intersected theirs ina happy conjunction. [ recall as if it were terday the day when I first met - and the night when, in Taylor’s room, I first met Boker, and other nights and days wben I first met Read and Sted- man; but I am not so sure of the seasons when I first met the masters, whom I approached with more reverence and an apprehension that was more than trepida- tion. I never made 2 poetical pilgrimage in my life, and, judging from what I have heard from those who have made real pil- grimages, I never desired to. My meetings with my betters were always unpremedi- tated and unexpected ones—I may say oc- casionally unwiuling ones, for, knowing my deficiencies, I was fearful of intruding. That I need not have been I learned after a time, for the older and greater the poet the more kind and censiderate I found him.—R. H. Stoddard in Lippincott’s. .- The Night That Will Never End. The eight-year-old daughter of William Jenks of North Manchester, Ind., recently had an attack of scarlet fever, and, as a | result of the disease, has become totally blind. Her parents -have not had the courage to speak to lier-of the affliction, and the little one inquires ‘pathetically at short intervals when it will ‘be daylight again, and when the night will be over.— Cincinnati Enquirer. e e The Irish mackerel-fisking is a short one comparatively, ana at sotne stations a keen competition takes place for the fish. NEW TO-DAY. 1PARIS Glearance SALE! ~——COMMENCING— MONDAY, December 30. (enuine Reductions In Every Department BEFORE STOCKTAKING. Call Early. SE HABLA ESPANOL. G. VERDIER & CO,, _SE. Cor. Geary and Grant Ave. VILLE DE PARIS, BRANCH R0USE, LOS ANGELES. NEW TO-DAY. NEW YEAR GREETING! WE WISH ALL OUR FRIENDS AND PATRONS A HAPPY NEW YEAR! And to show our appre- ciation for your kind pa- tronage the past year we are filling THOUSAND BOXES —OF— CHOICE FANCY CANDIES - To Be Given Away Free To every child, girl or boy, accompanied by their parents, HONDAY AND TUESDAT, From 2 to 5 o’clock and from 6 to 8 o’clock in the evening. We will not give you TE a scrawny box half empty with cheap candy, but a Good Nize Box Filled With Choiee Faney Candies [EC 0 Eharge! ‘Remember, you don’t have to buy anything to get a box of candy. Bring your children—also your neighbors’ children: ALL ORPHAN ASYLUM CHIL- DREN CORDIALLY INVITED. WMCLINE Wholesale and Retail Grocer, 949-951 MARKET STREET. Betwoen Fifth and Sixth.