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VOL. VHL WAO, TEXAS, SUNDAY, MAY 1, 1898 No. 18 The Carnival will bring its many visitors and now is a timely time to prepare for your guests. Small Prices ON Household Necessities Cut Glass style butter plates worth 8c each, at only 3/ cents Wine or cordial glasses in very pretty etchings, worth 10c each, at 5 cents 6 for 25 cents. Cut glass styles in salt and peppers and toothpick holders, worth 10c each, at only 2? cents Cut glass style cream pitchers worth 20c each, at 10 cents Cut glass styles in sugar bowls worth 25 cents, at 15 cents Fruit stands worth 50c each, at only 35 cents •ated Chi 1 salts w only I cent size feath th 20 cent 10 cents a feathe: >rth 35 to 40c 25 cents Household disinfectant worth 50c a bottle at 25 cents lount toilet 10c a pad, a 5 cents >rated roll worth 15 c< 1/ cents Decorated China pepper and worth 5c each at Good feather dusters worth cents, at Extra size feather dusters worth each, at Full count paper worth at only Perforated toilet paper cents a roll, at only Enameline stove polish only 4 cents Large Fibre scrub brushes at 10 cents Orange wood toothpicks worth 5c a paper, at 3 cents Swan’s down face powder, white or flesh, worth 10c, at 5 cents Combination tan or oxblood shoe cleanser and polisher, both for only 10 cents Decorated China tooth pick holders worth 5c each, at I cent Handsome decorated cream pitchers and sugar bowls worth 25c each, at only 15 cents Perfumed Sweet Violet Ammonia, worth 25c a bottle, at 15 cents Fancy handle Wisp brooms worth 15c at 10 cents Cedar excelsior,the latest and best moth killer, no unpleasant odor, at 10 cents Large Chamois skins worth 15 to 20 cents each at 10 cents Sponges at 5 and 10c each. 1000 Cakes 5c We have a great assortment of remnants in Toilet Soaps, all kinds, sizes and prices, worth 5 cents, 6 cents, 8 cents and 10 cents a cake. This week we throw out about one thousand cakes and give you choice at 5 cents a cake Limit to each customer. r Sterling Silver Waist sets, buttons and set of studs, worth 50c, at 25 cents Fine Roll Gold Cuff buttons worth 50 cents, at only 25 cents ;tty Pearl Waist h 40 cents, at 25 cents e Waist sets w ch, 25 cents Pretty sets worth Fine worth $1 each, at Jewel Belts in many desighs at 25 cents Fine Jewel Belts at $5, $4, $3, $2, $1 to 50 cents See the latest out in leather lined metal girdles at very moderate prices. Fine jewel studded Chatelains at $5, $4, $3, $2 and 99 cents Welcome, Carnival Customers Waco must be diked out in her best to receive the thousands of guests who will seek our hospitality next week. Later we will prepare a banquet for the strangers this week we spread a Feast for Early Home Buyers MAIL ORDERS Will receive prompt and careful attention. Samples free. We pay delivery on orders of $5.00 or over. Satisfaction guaranteed. Linens and Furnishings Nice hemmed Huck Towels, good size, I Cm worth 22 cents each, at only............................. I3v Finest German Damask Towels, knotted fringe ends, worth 35 to 40 cents each, our price AE. only.......................................................................... £96 Linen Crash Towels, 18 inches wide, worth A _ 12 or 15c a yard, at only.................................. vw After dinner Table Covers, Chenille or I jjj Q Tapestry, a very handsome $2 value at.. I aHS) A small lot, only twenty Chenille Rugs, 36x72 inches wide, worth $1.50 each, at only this QA week................ .................... ........... .................. uv Fine Moquette Rugs, in handsome pat M AA terns and very large, worth $6 each, at.. *fiUU Fine Chinese and Japanese Straw Mattings at 15 cents, 25 cents to 40 cents a yard. Extra Specials These are in limited quantities and may not last out the week, but while we have them they go at these prices. Ready made Pillow Cases, the regular ten |*1~ cent kind at only.................................................... U?C A very nice made Pillow Case, worth 20c |A. A special line of Straw Mattings, in a |A. good line of patterns, for this week only at. IOC We have an immense line of Flags, TJ. S. and all Nations, Bunting, Festooning and all Decorations. Boys' Clothing We are giving extra attention to this department— showing new and smart styles and making very low prices. Boys’ Knee Pant Suits, sizes 9 to 15 years, in box plaids, and pretty shades and patterns, a regular $2.00 value, we want a suit 1 EA only......................................................................... I.3U Boys’ pretty Reefer Suits for the little fellows, from 3 to 8 years, large braided sailor I EA collars, a stunning suit, only..................... liwU Boys’ Scotch Tweed knee pant suits in double breasted or Reefer styles, just as pretty as can be, in all sizes, 4 to 16 years, worth $3.00, but we make it our great leader at suit A A A only...................................................................... fciUU We offer an immense line of stylish, pretty and fine quality boys’ suits in latest up to date style at $2.50, $3.00, $3.50 to $5.00 A SUIT These are all wool fancy Cashmere Serges, Worsteds and Cheviots, and every suit is worth one third more than we ask. Boys’ Linen Crash Suits, sizes 8 to 16 years, in double .breasted styles, large pearl buttons, covered seams, made to wear well, look well and keep the boy cool. We offer one line I EA at $1.75 and a splendid value, at a suit... liOU Children’s wash suits in pretty styles at 50c, 75c, $1.00 to $2.00 a suit. •Just received another line of our popular “Crack a Jack” Knee Pants, warranted not to rip, EA. all sizes at only................................................... vUG Then our famous “Sandow” boys’ Knee Pafnts, in all sizes, good as the best other $1.00 IE. pants at only......................................................... I vG Boys’ Linen Crash Knee Pants, sizes 4 to AE. 14 years at only................................................... £wG Children’s White Duck knee pants, sizes EA. 3 to 10 years, nicely and well made, at.... QUG Special A lot of Boys’ Blue Cheviot knee pants, sizes only 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12. These are worth 35c a pair, but to close them out they go this week while they last at only 10 cents a pair NICE THINGS IN Cool Dress Goods Pretty Silk Stripe Challies, a handsome line of patterns in the regular 40 cent grade, at AE. only...................................................... .............. £uC The popular Liberty Silks and Mouseline DeSoi in all shades, the $1.00 values, at a Pretty French Organdies,' in exclusive designing, vrv handsome, regular sellers at 50c JA. a yard. They go at only............................... *rUC Colored Pique Ducks, very popular now, |A. worth 15c, they go now at only...................... IUG Assorted DimitiS, and Lawns in a special 50 piece lot, worth 121 and 15 cents a yard, |A. they go this week at only................................. IUG We offer three lots of Dotted White Swiss at special prices. Worth 30c a yard at 22c Worth 40c a yard at 32c Worth 60c a yard at 42c Handsome Brocaded Silks in all the evening shades, very handsome, at 75 cents, $1.00, $1.50 to $2.00 a yard. Fine White Organdies, two yards wide, EA. extra values at only.......................................... wUG We also show finer qualities at 60 cents, 75 cents and $1.00 a yard. Pretty Linen Crash for Skirts in large |A. variety. Plain Crash and Ducks at only.. IUG The 15c kind at 12ic a yard The 25c kind at 20c a yard These are very attractive and very popular. We have received a new line of Navy Blue Novelty Lawns, so much sought after. They are in plaids and figures and we offer them at |A. only a yard 15c 20c and..................................... IUG Monday and Tuesday For these two days only we offer twentyfive pieces Lappet Cloth in light or dark grounds, worth 20 cents a yard at only 12i cents Ladies' Ready ^Made Wear Ladies’ Crash Suits in beautiful patterns and fancy colors, a small broken lot worth $3.50 each. Sizes 32 to 38, and they go this week at I IE only......................................................................... lifU Come early if you want one of these. Ladies’ and Misses’ fancy figured Linen Skirts, assorted sizes, excellent values, closed AA. out at only............................................................. UVH We show all the new Spring Styles in Ladies’ Pretty Lawns and Percal Wrappers, One AA. lot of $1.25 values go at only........................ v«fC Another good $1.75 seller goes at $1.25. We have received a beautiful line of Ladies’ Colored Underskirts in light weight and suitable summer material. Fancy figured and striped, well made, with tripple ruffle. Prices A AA each $1.25 to...................................................... 4iUU Ladies’ fine Silk Underskirts in black A AA and colors, at only........................................ JiUU We are showing new samples of the latest things in Bustles, Pads, Forms and Waist extenders, made in hair cloth, featherbone and braided wire. This week we show some special values in children’s White Blouse Waists, large Sailor I AA collars, beautifully trimmed, 50c, 75c and liUU Worth fully one half more. Social anb (Current 5£vente. jt jt jt Mappenings of tbe Meefe—people H>ou fmow. jt jt jt jt ? All Items of a Social and Personal Nature will please be sent to Ninth and Columbus Streets. Telephone Artesia 167. No items received later than 9 . o’clock Saturday morning, and to insure attention, should be received Friday.) m % & NCE IN A WHILE the mood for reverie steals over one and he enjoys a carnival of thought, unfettered by the conventionality of rhetorical expression, and absolutely free from the restrictions of studied style. And at no time does this lazy mental mood manifest itself more unmistakably than at this season of happy, careless spring. It is happygolucky with every one. The mother is over her worry of croup and chills; the urchin, set free from the winter’s housing’, chases the butterfly and his flying kite; the birds are makingthe air merry with their song, and a general outdoor holiday is inaugurated. Each hour caters to its own amusement, and each day provides some pleasure distinctly its own. Nothing stilted, nothing preconceived—just a drifting along in life’s pleasure boating, with hands trailing idly through the ripples, culling a dance, a picnic, or a drive, as fancy throws it in one’s way. “Can there be life without thought?” says the psychologist. It does not suit us to exert enough mental strength to probe for the truth, yet the faint impression comes that we do think, but not with the consciousness of such an effort. We must give some attention to what is passing by, for we could ■ not live in this nineteenth century and not catch something of its spirit of unrest and progress. But this is not the season to weigh grave subjects or to bring about reforms in our world of ideas. Let us rather yield to the inert, and flit from rhyme to prose; from the practical to the poetic, and decide that the springtime is for relaxation and enjoyment, Sans Souci. Suppose our husbands and sweethearts do have to go to that horrid old war, and have to stand up to be shot at by those treacherous old Spaniards, what are we going to do? Perhaps we could get along without a husband, because the new has worn off of him, but we could not even think of getting along without a sweetheart. War is not half so nice as drills and parades, for the band cannot play all the time, and the uniforms do not look so bright and beautiful. Why do peopie have war, anyway? If the Spaniards had any style about them, they would just give us Cuba and say no more about it. Our grandmothers have sat in the nursery many a time, and told us about how the Yankees came and stole our silver spoons, and how the ladies all met and filled boxes for the soldiers. Now, I suppose when we get to be grandmothers, we will tell why we are “Aunt Harriet,” without any little children of our own—all because the cruel, stubborn Spaniards took our sweethearts to war, and never sent them home. I know what I would do if I were queen of England. I would say that one of those terrible sneaking torpedoes should never be made in my kingdom, and then the war would not be so bad. I had much rather read about the fashions and what the people at the summer places are going to do this year, but I am obliged to read about the war because there isn’t anything else to read about. I know now all about “battleships,” and “cruisers,” and “ironclads” until I almost tell my milliner to make my spring bonnet with an ironclad tilt and a cruiser crown. I know which kind of vessel is named for the states and which for the cities, and I know that I wish the whole horrid thing was over, and that my sweetheart did not know how to shoot a gun, then he could stay with me. By the way, this is the first of May the busy time for the housewife, and the signal for a general interchange in the tenement districts. Nothing is more in demand than thfe moving van and nothing is more interesting to the Mrs. McCartys of Paradise Alley than to peer between the blinds, to take note i of how many chairs Mrs. Moverin has for her parlor. And it is not always the Mrs. McCartys of Paradise Alley that take this lively interest, either. The glorious opportunity to exchange the latest small talk of the day al wav s comes with the first of May, because the open doors bring the world into such convenient contact. May picnics, May dances, May movings—what a world of commotion does the first of May arouse! Along with the moving man, it is the carpet beater’s and the curtain cleaner’s delight. They set the dust a flying, and then the sprinkler with his cart finds something to do. And, who does not know all about the May frolics in times long ago, when to be queen of the May was the synonym for ecstatic bliss? We still like to read about it in Fanchon, the Cricket, Tess o’ d’ Uberville, or to the tuneful lay of Tennyson’s, “If you are waking, call me early, mother dear.” The poet, the warrior and the reveler have all immortalized “the first of May,” but the present generation finds something new in its observance, no one more to his delight than the cartoonist. The “scold” and the tenement row are favorite themes which take much of the romance from what was once one of the nation’s most popular holidays. But May with us here in Waco is signalized by the coming of the Carnival, when music, illuminations, beautiful women and gorgeous displays usher in the days of revel. This, the third year, has so multiplied the features of celebration, that the two former Carnivals, if race parlance be permitted, are almost distanced. A Carnival king, a Carnival queen, fifty floats, fireworks, a court ball, and so on ad infinitum are developing under the administration of President J. W. Riggins and his efficient board. Mrs. Slayden, chairman of the woman’s board, reports the ladies all as busy as bees and working most harmoniously upon more exquisite floats than have ever yet appeared upon our streets. A firm is represented here with confetti, masques, serpents and all the other paraphernalia of a carnival, and it is expected that at least a thousand grotesquelymasqued characters will appear, as from geni’s wands, when the blowing of whistles and booming of cannon announces that the king has opened the Carnival at noon on the eleventh. Voting for the king is quite spirited, but no one is able to forecast the final polling. Queen Erma Kellett is surrounded by her committee, all busy turning out ai'tistic fancies for her float; so with the ladies who are interested in making a handsome appearance for little Miss Louise Bolinger, the queen from Lilliput, and the ladies who are sparing no pains to make the woolen mills float a credit. It were safe to say that a thousand persons were now busy with the coming Carnival. In less than a fortnight bunting will be flying and bands playing, to tell that Waco is keeping open house for her third spring reception. Almost every household expects one or more guests. More than a hundred private rigs will be decorated for the parade, besides exhibits galore from the business firms and fraternal unions. Everything will be laid aside for holiday making. There are not, for the present, at least any more cozy little five o’clock tea tables drawn before the library fire (it makes a bead of perspiration burst to think of it), so we draw our rockers to the study window and watch what is going on in the world outside. At home at five o’clock, of course not; nobody is! Everybody is out driving. It is too pleasant to remain in doors. There is a spin up Columbus street, a bowing and a smiling to every one else, and then a halt before some Austin street shop, for a plate of cream or a glass of soda. I wonder if the girls know that there was lately out a styl (Continued on Third Page)
Object Description
ID | tx-waco-nwp-art_1898-05-01 |
Title | Artesia (Waco, Texas) Vol. 8 No. 18, Sunday, May 1, 1898 |
Date | 1898-05-01 |
Volume | 8 |
Issue | 18 |
Number of Pages | 4 |
Publisher | Artesia Publishing Company |
Language | English |
Rights | http://www.baylor.edu/lib/digitization/digitalrights |
Resource Type | Text |
Format | Newspaper, 4 pages |
Uniform Title | Artesia (Waco, Texas) |
Description
Title | tx-waco-nwp-art_1898-05-01_01 |
OCR - Transcript | VOL. VHL WAO, TEXAS, SUNDAY, MAY 1, 1898 No. 18 The Carnival will bring its many visitors and now is a timely time to prepare for your guests. Small Prices ON Household Necessities Cut Glass style butter plates worth 8c each, at only 3/ cents Wine or cordial glasses in very pretty etchings, worth 10c each, at 5 cents 6 for 25 cents. Cut glass styles in salt and peppers and toothpick holders, worth 10c each, at only 2? cents Cut glass style cream pitchers worth 20c each, at 10 cents Cut glass styles in sugar bowls worth 25 cents, at 15 cents Fruit stands worth 50c each, at only 35 cents •ated Chi 1 salts w only I cent size feath th 20 cent 10 cents a feathe: >rth 35 to 40c 25 cents Household disinfectant worth 50c a bottle at 25 cents lount toilet 10c a pad, a 5 cents >rated roll worth 15 c< 1/ cents Decorated China pepper and worth 5c each at Good feather dusters worth cents, at Extra size feather dusters worth each, at Full count paper worth at only Perforated toilet paper cents a roll, at only Enameline stove polish only 4 cents Large Fibre scrub brushes at 10 cents Orange wood toothpicks worth 5c a paper, at 3 cents Swan’s down face powder, white or flesh, worth 10c, at 5 cents Combination tan or oxblood shoe cleanser and polisher, both for only 10 cents Decorated China tooth pick holders worth 5c each, at I cent Handsome decorated cream pitchers and sugar bowls worth 25c each, at only 15 cents Perfumed Sweet Violet Ammonia, worth 25c a bottle, at 15 cents Fancy handle Wisp brooms worth 15c at 10 cents Cedar excelsior,the latest and best moth killer, no unpleasant odor, at 10 cents Large Chamois skins worth 15 to 20 cents each at 10 cents Sponges at 5 and 10c each. 1000 Cakes 5c We have a great assortment of remnants in Toilet Soaps, all kinds, sizes and prices, worth 5 cents, 6 cents, 8 cents and 10 cents a cake. This week we throw out about one thousand cakes and give you choice at 5 cents a cake Limit to each customer. r Sterling Silver Waist sets, buttons and set of studs, worth 50c, at 25 cents Fine Roll Gold Cuff buttons worth 50 cents, at only 25 cents ;tty Pearl Waist h 40 cents, at 25 cents e Waist sets w ch, 25 cents Pretty sets worth Fine worth $1 each, at Jewel Belts in many desighs at 25 cents Fine Jewel Belts at $5, $4, $3, $2, $1 to 50 cents See the latest out in leather lined metal girdles at very moderate prices. Fine jewel studded Chatelains at $5, $4, $3, $2 and 99 cents Welcome, Carnival Customers Waco must be diked out in her best to receive the thousands of guests who will seek our hospitality next week. Later we will prepare a banquet for the strangers this week we spread a Feast for Early Home Buyers MAIL ORDERS Will receive prompt and careful attention. Samples free. We pay delivery on orders of $5.00 or over. Satisfaction guaranteed. Linens and Furnishings Nice hemmed Huck Towels, good size, I Cm worth 22 cents each, at only............................. I3v Finest German Damask Towels, knotted fringe ends, worth 35 to 40 cents each, our price AE. only.......................................................................... £96 Linen Crash Towels, 18 inches wide, worth A _ 12 or 15c a yard, at only.................................. vw After dinner Table Covers, Chenille or I jjj Q Tapestry, a very handsome $2 value at.. I aHS) A small lot, only twenty Chenille Rugs, 36x72 inches wide, worth $1.50 each, at only this QA week................ .................... ........... .................. uv Fine Moquette Rugs, in handsome pat M AA terns and very large, worth $6 each, at.. *fiUU Fine Chinese and Japanese Straw Mattings at 15 cents, 25 cents to 40 cents a yard. Extra Specials These are in limited quantities and may not last out the week, but while we have them they go at these prices. Ready made Pillow Cases, the regular ten |*1~ cent kind at only.................................................... U?C A very nice made Pillow Case, worth 20c |A. A special line of Straw Mattings, in a |A. good line of patterns, for this week only at. IOC We have an immense line of Flags, TJ. S. and all Nations, Bunting, Festooning and all Decorations. Boys' Clothing We are giving extra attention to this department— showing new and smart styles and making very low prices. Boys’ Knee Pant Suits, sizes 9 to 15 years, in box plaids, and pretty shades and patterns, a regular $2.00 value, we want a suit 1 EA only......................................................................... I.3U Boys’ pretty Reefer Suits for the little fellows, from 3 to 8 years, large braided sailor I EA collars, a stunning suit, only..................... liwU Boys’ Scotch Tweed knee pant suits in double breasted or Reefer styles, just as pretty as can be, in all sizes, 4 to 16 years, worth $3.00, but we make it our great leader at suit A A A only...................................................................... fciUU We offer an immense line of stylish, pretty and fine quality boys’ suits in latest up to date style at $2.50, $3.00, $3.50 to $5.00 A SUIT These are all wool fancy Cashmere Serges, Worsteds and Cheviots, and every suit is worth one third more than we ask. Boys’ Linen Crash Suits, sizes 8 to 16 years, in double .breasted styles, large pearl buttons, covered seams, made to wear well, look well and keep the boy cool. We offer one line I EA at $1.75 and a splendid value, at a suit... liOU Children’s wash suits in pretty styles at 50c, 75c, $1.00 to $2.00 a suit. •Just received another line of our popular “Crack a Jack” Knee Pants, warranted not to rip, EA. all sizes at only................................................... vUG Then our famous “Sandow” boys’ Knee Pafnts, in all sizes, good as the best other $1.00 IE. pants at only......................................................... I vG Boys’ Linen Crash Knee Pants, sizes 4 to AE. 14 years at only................................................... £wG Children’s White Duck knee pants, sizes EA. 3 to 10 years, nicely and well made, at.... QUG Special A lot of Boys’ Blue Cheviot knee pants, sizes only 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12. These are worth 35c a pair, but to close them out they go this week while they last at only 10 cents a pair NICE THINGS IN Cool Dress Goods Pretty Silk Stripe Challies, a handsome line of patterns in the regular 40 cent grade, at AE. only...................................................... .............. £uC The popular Liberty Silks and Mouseline DeSoi in all shades, the $1.00 values, at a Pretty French Organdies,' in exclusive designing, vrv handsome, regular sellers at 50c JA. a yard. They go at only............................... *rUC Colored Pique Ducks, very popular now, |A. worth 15c, they go now at only...................... IUG Assorted DimitiS, and Lawns in a special 50 piece lot, worth 121 and 15 cents a yard, |A. they go this week at only................................. IUG We offer three lots of Dotted White Swiss at special prices. Worth 30c a yard at 22c Worth 40c a yard at 32c Worth 60c a yard at 42c Handsome Brocaded Silks in all the evening shades, very handsome, at 75 cents, $1.00, $1.50 to $2.00 a yard. Fine White Organdies, two yards wide, EA. extra values at only.......................................... wUG We also show finer qualities at 60 cents, 75 cents and $1.00 a yard. Pretty Linen Crash for Skirts in large |A. variety. Plain Crash and Ducks at only.. IUG The 15c kind at 12ic a yard The 25c kind at 20c a yard These are very attractive and very popular. We have received a new line of Navy Blue Novelty Lawns, so much sought after. They are in plaids and figures and we offer them at |A. only a yard 15c 20c and..................................... IUG Monday and Tuesday For these two days only we offer twentyfive pieces Lappet Cloth in light or dark grounds, worth 20 cents a yard at only 12i cents Ladies' Ready ^Made Wear Ladies’ Crash Suits in beautiful patterns and fancy colors, a small broken lot worth $3.50 each. Sizes 32 to 38, and they go this week at I IE only......................................................................... lifU Come early if you want one of these. Ladies’ and Misses’ fancy figured Linen Skirts, assorted sizes, excellent values, closed AA. out at only............................................................. UVH We show all the new Spring Styles in Ladies’ Pretty Lawns and Percal Wrappers, One AA. lot of $1.25 values go at only........................ v«fC Another good $1.75 seller goes at $1.25. We have received a beautiful line of Ladies’ Colored Underskirts in light weight and suitable summer material. Fancy figured and striped, well made, with tripple ruffle. Prices A AA each $1.25 to...................................................... 4iUU Ladies’ fine Silk Underskirts in black A AA and colors, at only........................................ JiUU We are showing new samples of the latest things in Bustles, Pads, Forms and Waist extenders, made in hair cloth, featherbone and braided wire. This week we show some special values in children’s White Blouse Waists, large Sailor I AA collars, beautifully trimmed, 50c, 75c and liUU Worth fully one half more. Social anb (Current 5£vente. jt jt jt Mappenings of tbe Meefe—people H>ou fmow. jt jt jt jt ? All Items of a Social and Personal Nature will please be sent to Ninth and Columbus Streets. Telephone Artesia 167. No items received later than 9 . o’clock Saturday morning, and to insure attention, should be received Friday.) m % & NCE IN A WHILE the mood for reverie steals over one and he enjoys a carnival of thought, unfettered by the conventionality of rhetorical expression, and absolutely free from the restrictions of studied style. And at no time does this lazy mental mood manifest itself more unmistakably than at this season of happy, careless spring. It is happygolucky with every one. The mother is over her worry of croup and chills; the urchin, set free from the winter’s housing’, chases the butterfly and his flying kite; the birds are makingthe air merry with their song, and a general outdoor holiday is inaugurated. Each hour caters to its own amusement, and each day provides some pleasure distinctly its own. Nothing stilted, nothing preconceived—just a drifting along in life’s pleasure boating, with hands trailing idly through the ripples, culling a dance, a picnic, or a drive, as fancy throws it in one’s way. “Can there be life without thought?” says the psychologist. It does not suit us to exert enough mental strength to probe for the truth, yet the faint impression comes that we do think, but not with the consciousness of such an effort. We must give some attention to what is passing by, for we could ■ not live in this nineteenth century and not catch something of its spirit of unrest and progress. But this is not the season to weigh grave subjects or to bring about reforms in our world of ideas. Let us rather yield to the inert, and flit from rhyme to prose; from the practical to the poetic, and decide that the springtime is for relaxation and enjoyment, Sans Souci. Suppose our husbands and sweethearts do have to go to that horrid old war, and have to stand up to be shot at by those treacherous old Spaniards, what are we going to do? Perhaps we could get along without a husband, because the new has worn off of him, but we could not even think of getting along without a sweetheart. War is not half so nice as drills and parades, for the band cannot play all the time, and the uniforms do not look so bright and beautiful. Why do peopie have war, anyway? If the Spaniards had any style about them, they would just give us Cuba and say no more about it. Our grandmothers have sat in the nursery many a time, and told us about how the Yankees came and stole our silver spoons, and how the ladies all met and filled boxes for the soldiers. Now, I suppose when we get to be grandmothers, we will tell why we are “Aunt Harriet,” without any little children of our own—all because the cruel, stubborn Spaniards took our sweethearts to war, and never sent them home. I know what I would do if I were queen of England. I would say that one of those terrible sneaking torpedoes should never be made in my kingdom, and then the war would not be so bad. I had much rather read about the fashions and what the people at the summer places are going to do this year, but I am obliged to read about the war because there isn’t anything else to read about. I know now all about “battleships,” and “cruisers,” and “ironclads” until I almost tell my milliner to make my spring bonnet with an ironclad tilt and a cruiser crown. I know which kind of vessel is named for the states and which for the cities, and I know that I wish the whole horrid thing was over, and that my sweetheart did not know how to shoot a gun, then he could stay with me. By the way, this is the first of May the busy time for the housewife, and the signal for a general interchange in the tenement districts. Nothing is more in demand than thfe moving van and nothing is more interesting to the Mrs. McCartys of Paradise Alley than to peer between the blinds, to take note i of how many chairs Mrs. Moverin has for her parlor. And it is not always the Mrs. McCartys of Paradise Alley that take this lively interest, either. The glorious opportunity to exchange the latest small talk of the day al wav s comes with the first of May, because the open doors bring the world into such convenient contact. May picnics, May dances, May movings—what a world of commotion does the first of May arouse! Along with the moving man, it is the carpet beater’s and the curtain cleaner’s delight. They set the dust a flying, and then the sprinkler with his cart finds something to do. And, who does not know all about the May frolics in times long ago, when to be queen of the May was the synonym for ecstatic bliss? We still like to read about it in Fanchon, the Cricket, Tess o’ d’ Uberville, or to the tuneful lay of Tennyson’s, “If you are waking, call me early, mother dear.” The poet, the warrior and the reveler have all immortalized “the first of May,” but the present generation finds something new in its observance, no one more to his delight than the cartoonist. The “scold” and the tenement row are favorite themes which take much of the romance from what was once one of the nation’s most popular holidays. But May with us here in Waco is signalized by the coming of the Carnival, when music, illuminations, beautiful women and gorgeous displays usher in the days of revel. This, the third year, has so multiplied the features of celebration, that the two former Carnivals, if race parlance be permitted, are almost distanced. A Carnival king, a Carnival queen, fifty floats, fireworks, a court ball, and so on ad infinitum are developing under the administration of President J. W. Riggins and his efficient board. Mrs. Slayden, chairman of the woman’s board, reports the ladies all as busy as bees and working most harmoniously upon more exquisite floats than have ever yet appeared upon our streets. A firm is represented here with confetti, masques, serpents and all the other paraphernalia of a carnival, and it is expected that at least a thousand grotesquelymasqued characters will appear, as from geni’s wands, when the blowing of whistles and booming of cannon announces that the king has opened the Carnival at noon on the eleventh. Voting for the king is quite spirited, but no one is able to forecast the final polling. Queen Erma Kellett is surrounded by her committee, all busy turning out ai'tistic fancies for her float; so with the ladies who are interested in making a handsome appearance for little Miss Louise Bolinger, the queen from Lilliput, and the ladies who are sparing no pains to make the woolen mills float a credit. It were safe to say that a thousand persons were now busy with the coming Carnival. In less than a fortnight bunting will be flying and bands playing, to tell that Waco is keeping open house for her third spring reception. Almost every household expects one or more guests. More than a hundred private rigs will be decorated for the parade, besides exhibits galore from the business firms and fraternal unions. Everything will be laid aside for holiday making. There are not, for the present, at least any more cozy little five o’clock tea tables drawn before the library fire (it makes a bead of perspiration burst to think of it), so we draw our rockers to the study window and watch what is going on in the world outside. At home at five o’clock, of course not; nobody is! Everybody is out driving. It is too pleasant to remain in doors. There is a spin up Columbus street, a bowing and a smiling to every one else, and then a halt before some Austin street shop, for a plate of cream or a glass of soda. I wonder if the girls know that there was lately out a styl (Continued on Third Page) |
Uniform Title | Artesia (Waco, Texas) |