University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Mark Twain's sketches, new and old

now first published in complete form
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
“AFTER” JENKINS.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

“AFTER” JENKINS.

A GRAND affair of a ball—the Pioneers'—came off at the Occidental some
time ago. The following notes of the costumes worn by the belles of the
occasion may not be uninteresting to the general reader, and Jenkins may
get an idea therefrom—

Mrs. W. M. was attired in an elegant pôté de foie gras, made expressly for her,
and was greatly admired. Miss S. had her hair done up. She was the centre of
attraction for the gentlemen and the envy of all the ladies. Mrs. G. W. was tastefully
dressed in a tout ensemble, and was greeted with deafening applause wherever
she went. Mrs. C. N. was superbly arrayed in white kid gloves. Her modest and
engaging manner accorded well with the unpretending simplicity of her costume
and caused her to be regarded with absorbing interest by every one.

The charming Miss M. M. B. appeared in a thrilling waterfall, whose exceeding
grace and volume compelled the homage of pioneers and emigrants alike. How
beautiful she was!

The queenly Mrs. L. R. was attractively attired in her new and beautiful false
teeth, and the bon jour effect they naturally produced was heightened by her
enchanting and well sustained smile.

Miss R. P., with that repugnance to ostentation in dress, which is so peculiar to
her, was attired in a simple white lace collar, fastened with a neat pearl-button
solitaire. The fine contrast between the sparkling vivacity of her natural optic, and
the steadfast attentiveness of her placid glass eye, was the subject of general and
enthusiastic remark.

Miss C. L. B. had her fine nose elegantly enamelled, and the easy grace with
which she blew it from time to time, marked her as a cultivated and accomplished
woman of the world; its exquisitely modulated tone excited the admiration of all
who had the happiness to hear it.