Omaha daily bee., 1891-12-27
A Recc rtinn md MnsIcale.

Monday evening, Notwithstanding the very
uisagreeablo weather, u large number of MIR.
and Mrs. j. H.. Whoeler's friends availed
themselves of the opportunity to meet Miss
Mayme Higgins of Chicago, in whose honor
an old-fashioned reception was gwen, 2llI
Jackson street. That stiff formality,
which usually prevails at recep-
tiOns was remarked for its absence and the
occasion was more in the nature of an lat
home than that of u reception.
The house was decorated entirely with
smilax and that soft, pretty evergreen was
placed everywhere, upstairs, downstairs
and in my lady's chamber" There were
portioros made of the climbing vine, the
mantels were buried beneath a wealth of
color, ana wherever a place could DO found
10 fasten it, there 1t was, lending brightness
to the cosy home.
At the end of the hallway there is an al
cove, which for the evening was trans
formed into a punch room. and over the huge
bow presided Miss Warner and Miss Ida
Alexander, two pretty young women.
The dining room was decorated in keeping
with the parlor and library. The table was
exquisite in it's wealth of cut glass and
snowy cloth, edged with green, and here
Miss Bishop and Miss Burns poured coffee
and saw that the guests were rewarded for
their bravery in coming out in the furious
rain storm which prevailed. Mr.. and Mrs,
j. ii. Wheeler received in the front parlor,
and were assisted by Miss Higgins, Mr..
Higgins and Mr.. Roy Smith of Fremont.
Mrs. Wheeler wore a strikingly pretty gown
OF plain blue aud white brocade, trimmed
with white lace, the dress being sixteenth
century in style, ertraine and decollete. Mrs.
Wheeler also wore white shoes and gloves.
Miss Higgins, who occupies a leading posi-
ton in Chicago musical circles, being the
contralto of the South Park Methodist
church, is an exceedingly pretty woman.
Rather above the medium height, with a
face that is classical in outline, she presented
a picture of feminine loveliness III her Wat
teau gown of India crepe, trimmed at the
bottom with iiounceS of hand embroidered
mousselline de sole, beaded with pink and
gold passementerie, pink gloves and PINK
slippers.
Miss Warner wore a crushed raspberry
striped gauze, trimmed in narrow ribbons OF
the same striking Shade.
Miss Alexander graced a pink and green
striped gauze, trimmed prettily with white
lace. .s..
Miss Bishop, another of the beauties pres
ent, wore a gown of canary colored crepe,
with u combination Of gold and brown velvet,
the dress being trimmed with crepe.
Miss Burns OF Park avenue graced a hand
some toilette of white satin and net, simply
made.
After the guests wore received the recep.
ton took on the form of u musicale, Mr.. Roy
Smith playing n waltz caprice, his own com
position, and for an encore gave 'Moments
Musicale" by M~oszkoWski. Miss Higgins,
accompanied by the Mandolin club, which
furnished the music during the evening, sang
divinely HE Was aPrince," ana to an en-
core, "Beauty's Eyesn by Tosti. The young
lady's voice is remarkable Tor its fine quality,
the lower register particularly showing ex-
cellent training. 1t is a pity that such talent
could not be kept in Omaha.
During the evening servants passed ices
aud in that way added to the informally of
the occasion. Instead of tho ebony colored
'door opener a small boy dressed as a page
in black velvet and yellow satin gave n Dictur-