New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-16
HOME AND SOCIETY.
ANECDOTES AND SUGGESTIONS.


Ynodon received not long ago. letter from one oil ms
=, g,ish friends announcing his arrival In AmerVS
"A ,r.poSing himself for visit OF few hours III
ending one night. Although delighted at the pros
90. Of seeing man whom he much admired MI
= was greatly puzzled In regard 10 The entertain
ent and accommodation of his visitor. as their mou
as, household Boosted of ONLY one servant. and ne
sshed to ask few friends to meet the distinguished
srther at dinner. His eldest daughters anghneH
,ook matters in their hands, telling him TO invite
,be CHESTS aud they would guarantee sailsiacto"'
rhe shy recluse having unbounded faith In his woman
,ind did as he hidden. invited half dozen choice
spirs TO his little country house. and retired 70 MS
An ard his books with perfect equanimity.
ave make only one stipulation. papa, said tnc siri
and that is that Meta (the third daughter sha DC
the only oOe ready TO receive your grand Engnsh
friend and that you Will not mention the rest OF US
Mr. l. readily agreed TO everything, and, aOsoroc"
IN his beloved books quite Obvious To al aId"s
ments until Meta, looking pretty as PICTURE ~ '0
fshest Of gnghams. announced that she was READY %
drive him 10 the station TO meet the hohoNo gus,
On their return with the stranger the door was opehe
nv a tidy.Ioodng maid in the neatest OF caps ana
aprons at whom the old gentleman hardly g'ahool ~
he ushered his guest into the house, merely uhiIns
that his daughters had picked mp rather mce-iooAs
girl The modest little guest-roOm was most at
rartiye with fresh muslin and punches of roses ana
fairly luxurious with ample and comfortable ~S7ns
arrangements and abundant drapery The neatlcohihg
maid brought can of hot water to the door ana an
pounoed the dinner-hour How delightful all uhs re
publcan simplicity is, and how comfortable! muir
injured the traveller to himself. II is Just as mag
ined l. would hive, and what a pretty gf' MS
daughter Is y
A gentle knock hurried his toilet. g Dinner is
served SIR said sweet voice, and he followed the
sttractiveooking Abigail to the little drawng-roon'
where his host introduced him TO the hadozen clever
men who had been assembled In his honor. An In
voluntary exclamation of delight escaped the lips OF the
eonvives as they entered the dningTOom at the ex-
ouisite arrangement of the table. The centre was
conpeely covered with soft green moss, out Of which
grew quantities Of tiny woodland flowers. Blocks of
sparknc ice held TASKS OF Rhensh wine IN their mol
lowed-out centres, and candies screened Win rosecoE
CRED shades gave q charming and sufficient light The
attractive hostess in the simplest of white gowns pre-
sided with pretty dignity, and two de1t maids, dressed
alike with dainty freshness, served the weIloooked
dinner The entertainment was altogether decided
social success, and the Engshman was profuse in his
expressions Of delight The next morning he took his
departure being driven 70 the station by Meta, neatly
attired in cheviots and serge His establishment would
have been great could he have beheld the scene
that followed. when the demure mad servants
danced around tie old gentleman with their caps
horne aloft on the end Of broomsticks in triumph.
You wicked hussies.7 said their father, trying in
vain 10 look angry. but falling signaly. How could
you play me such trick! never recognized you
until dinner announced, ana Jlen IL was 700
10 do ANYTHING but submit But we wanted the
whole thing to be a success" pleaded the quondam
servants and it impossible 10 arrange it other
wise"
We'll forgive you,7 said their parent, laughing
in spite Of himself. But mind. l shall allow
such a performance again"
Il had funny although rather disagreeable expe-
renee not long ago said amateur ventriloquist
and magician. who was in great demand a delight
fu adjunct TO all social gatherings and whose audactty
and fun were Incompatible. Il had note from my
friend Mrs. b. who lives in that row of English
basement houses Just OF Fifth-ave., in st. Do
come over tomorrow evening" she wrote the children
have party and they simply insist that you should
come Dear cherubs.' remarked 70 myself /" OF
course Will go. and l will make it lively for them,
too So on my way uptown that afternoon l pur-
chased a mask of a huge d0nkey's head the big Jaw
Of which arranged that by pu' string ii
emitted Hse-lke and horrible bray. n arriving at
the house. about hour after the time designated,
threw of my overcoat in the hail. and putting on my
mask ran upstairs. could dimly see through the
little apertures left fer the eyes that large con-
course Of people were assembled in the suite of
at the head of the stairway and giving terrific hee
haw dashed in on my hands and knees. sort Of
unexpected hush, sound Of startled ordinations,
made me feel nstinctvely that something wrong,
and hastily pulling of the absurd head scrambled to
my feet. Horror Of horrors among a lot Of
utterly strange people, who naturally regarded me
If had quite taken leave Of my senses. AZ my be-
wudered appearance litter around the ROOM and
pretty young woman, who was evidently the mis-
tress, came forward 10 receive my explanations and
apologies OF course what had happened was very
evident had simply mistaken the house-a very nat
ursl blunder, where there are many buildings ex-
acty alike The servant who opened the door thought
OF course that was expect ed guest so that there
nothing TO show my mistake until that awful
,-Iar 7 frup
midst Of an assembly Of strangers. l can hardly re-
member how 1 got through il all-the excuses the re-
treat. the rapid exit-hearing all the while the soft
suppressed laughter that knew would find full vent on
my departure. When l finally reached the street
felt myself 10 be sadder and a wiser man.
could not have tried donkey antics again if had
been paid for IT, and it not until had reganed
my spirits after good romp with the children that
began 10 enjoy the ludicrousess Of the situation1
A correspondent asks further information about
toilet vinegars. They usually bought from per-
tuners but they may also be prepared from prescrp
tons b. apothecares. The first requisite Of course,
is that they shall be pure and good This vinegar in
perfume has little specific effect upon the skin it is
chiefly valuable for its pleasant and refreshing quail
ties. The following ingredients make wellknown
toilet water:
Two parts diluted acetic acid good vinegar. five
parts rosewater, eight parts alcohol one part tnctuie
benzOin and little Peruvian balsam. a small guam
tity Of rosemary lavender may be added Filter
before bottling
There is nothing better for cosmetic agent than
a tablespoonful Of borax to a basin of water 1t is
entirely harmless and by softening the water benefits
even the tenderest skin.
Here are seven rules for the proper washing Of
fsnnels:
1. Use warm water in which sufficient soap has
been dissolved
2. Wash thoroughly in this.
3. Rinse In clear warm water twice.
4. Wiring out and shake well 70 clear off all soap
o. Dry quickly
g. Do net let the hannels remain in the water
either before after washing