THE ORIGIN OI THE MASK BALL Armory on Feb. 2oth, 1891, the first mask ball ever held in the history of the College. But we should not allow the primary ob ject of the promoters of the first mask ball—that of effecting a much needed reform at the Cottage through the agencies of re morse and envy—to overshadow the secondary object. The Athlectic Association had incurred rather large debts that year, so it was decided to use the proceeds of the ball in the payment of these debts. Since that time, the mask ball has been held annually, first for the benefit of the Athletic Association, and later for the base ball department. It seems fitting that all those students, who, on the twenty-second of this month, will enjoy the pleasures incident to attending the ninth annual mask ball, should mentally pass a vote of thanks to the Cottage girls of '9l, and should deeply sympathize with the unfortunate cp-eds of to-day, who, through the indiscre tion of their predecessors, are still denied the privilege of taking part in one of the most pleasant events of the entire College year.