Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell

THE DAILY DEMOCRAT
Thirteenth Year - Number 7
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, April 17, 1902.
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AN UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT.
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The Woodman Circle Receives Its Friends at
Pythian Ball.



       The event at the Knights of Pythias hall on last evening will be treasured as one of the brightest social functions in the history of Woodcraft.
       The Woodman Circle, composed of ladies, had sent out a number of invitations to friends to attend a "Blue Jay" party and at 9 o'clock Pythian hall was comfortably filled with ladies and gentlemen, all displaying an interest in what was to come, for none--save one--knew exactly what was connected with the affair--and the others had to guess.
       Every person is possessed of a curiosity, in some more pronouned than in others, but present in all.  Therefore when the ladies sent out their invitations, printed on blue paper and cased in blue envelopes, announcing that they were going to give a "Blue Jay Party, " curosity was aroused to a high tension and everyone was eager to know what was really going to happen.
       Mrs. S. J. Davidson presided as worthy guardian and the other officers were in their proper places; and here it may be said that the ladies are possessed of governing ability as well as the gentlemen.  In fact some of us married men will admit--though we dislike to--that some of the ladies are STAR governesses.
       Well, the officials of the Woodman Circle presided with a grace and precision that approaches the ideal.
       The Circle was open, it must be remembered, and no secrets were divulged or signs or salutations disclosed--at least if they were, the guests remain in ignorance of it.
       A "Blue Jay" party--what is it?  Well, to understand just what it is, one must have been present.  Suffice to say, however, there were plenty of "Jays" in evidence.  Long jays, short jays, square jays, pretty jays, and the other kind of jays and simply, jays.  They were all blue and none knew how many jays there were, save the magician, Mrs. Sarah Levy, and all efforts to elicit any information as to the number from her, were dismally futile.  There was only one way to find out how many jays there were and that was by guessing--at a nickel a guess.  There were jays everywhere.  On a banner that hung across the hall there were "jays" and each member of the circle wore aprons with "jays" on them.  It was hard guessing, but everyone did his best and the guesses ranged from 500 to 10,000.
       The program was informal and the guests were kept guessing as to what was going to happen next.
       An address of welcome was delivered by Dan M. Jackson in his happy style reviewing Woodcraft from the time of Adam down to the present occasion, demonstrating to the satisfaction of all that the circle was incomplete without Eve, who was made from father Adam's rib.  Woman, the speaker declared to be the finished work of the Creator.
       A piano selection by Miss Ora Quaid with violin accompaniment by Prof. Thrash , was a very nice feature of the entertainment.  Miss Quaid was encored and responded, to the delight of the audience.
       A recitation by Miss Fannie Levy was well delivered and the encore was reponded to with a humorous recitation aht brought rounds of applause from the many present.
       By this time the curiosity of the guests was aroused to the highest point and the guessing began in earnest, the announcement having been made by Mr. B. F. Foster that the nearest correct guess would be rewarded with the large and beautiful cake that was upon the worthy guardian's stand.
       As each one registered his or her guess--there was no limit as to the number--they filed into the reception room, where they were served with a dainty collation of cream and cake.
       After refreshments Hon. Tom W. Perkins, a visiting Woodman from McKinney, was called upon for a speech, and being introduced by the worthy guardian, delivered a short address.  Mr. Perkins remarks were purely impromptu, but withal very appropriate and liberally applauded.  He paid the ladies a deserv-compliment and said many nice things about Woodcraft and its auxilliary.
       The result of the guessing contest was then announced and the number was found to be 1888.  The nearest guessers were H. G. Rush and W. E. Johnson, each of whom guessed 1900.  Mr. Johnson drew the lucky straw and got the cake.
       It was an exceedingly pleasant event and the ladies of the Woodman Circle have added further evidences of their ability to entertain.

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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas