The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-02
ABOVE THE SKYLIGHTS.
HOUeErOP PARTIES TIE FAD IN
NEW YORK NOW.


How Gothamites Entertain Friends on
summer Nights-Roof Gardens For
the Stay-at-Homes-A Costume Tea
Party-The Best Flowers and How
to Arrange Them.
(CoDyriqht)
New YORK, Aug. l. This season
housetop parties are all the go" Many
and many family are now taking tea on
the roof for the first time. 1t is surprising
how the idea has Travelled. A lady or gen
tleman VINO has enjoyed the novel expert
ence tells it 'confidentially" to some friend
who tries it, and the friend tells it to some
body else, and somebody finds it delightful,
and so each one passes the secret" around.
What was last season an innovation is likely
this summer to become a "fad."
Can you come up to the house to-mor-
row EVENING" We are going to have house
top tea party" That was the gentle way
nv friend broke the news to me one day
last summer.
"A housetop tea" queried l.
"Yes."
What kind of tea is thatp
wait till you see one, and then you will
-
know everything"
IAN right"
'Remember, IshaIl expect you at o'clock
sharp"
In fact, a few minutes ahead OF time we
pressed the electric button that brought tne
aproned maid to toe door.
You will find Mr.. ;. on the roor, re-
piled the low-voiced ri to our interroga-
tory. HE told me to tell you to walk rlght
up stairs"
Slightly wondering, we mounted one
fight, then another, still a third, and tired
at the knees and half out of breath, we
climned tue steep pair of stairs that led to
tie roof.
Once on the roof we had come upon a
quiet scene Of domestic felicity There sat
our genial host, lounging in neglge attire
in big arm chair. Smoking tho pipe or
peace he looked the picture of comfort. by
his side, swinging to and fro with the gen
tie breeze, his mate reclined in hammock:
Near at hand two children were playing and
enjoying themselves to their hearts con-
tent. After the first greetings were ex-
changed tine host said: "This is our sum
mer tea room. What do you think of lt!,
Then we took in the situation. The roof
was the kitchen, dining and drawing room.
1t was also blooming flower garden. All
along the edge of the roof was double
row Of boxes, each one filed with plants OF
inherent colOrS. The air was heavily laden
with pleasant perfume. The nostrils were
hckled by stealing odor of geranium
and by the delicate heliotrope. Altogether
1t was desirable change and relief from
the smells that rise from the dusty streets
below.
One corner of the roof seemed to be I
regular bower of vines and climbing plants,
Morning glories, scarlet beans and asters
overran an harpor made of heavy wire. Be
meath all this mass of green and color, a rus
TIC chair was almost hid from view.
The other corner of the housetop hac
been arranged for solid comfort. The roo
was covered with Spanish mating, and il
convenient places lay several fine rugs. A
pretty japanese screen shut off the entrances
70 tent, thu inside of which contained
Kitchen utensils. Thus protected the mis-
TesS OF the household brewed tea on an al
cohol stove. Two or three low-sized table
were decorated with bouquets and dainty
pieces OF china and cut glass.
after inspecting the roof-the summe
S se1 room as our friend liked to name it-w
zen 70 discussing the housetop as a place t,
hnsne your friends on a summer night.
:" here,n said he, in tone Of inquiry
"here can you find a cooler, more com
IoroaoIe place on a hot night than on til,
FOOlf here you can be famed by every