The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-11-24
THE RECEPTION
AT THE PALATIAL HOME OF MR. AND
MRS. ED. M. HOUSE.
A Scene Of Revelry From Three in the
Afternoon Until Late at Night-A Re-
ception for Ladies Only Followed
by Masquerade

The proverbial American Southern
Home has name and a glory where
ever the English language is
spoken or true refinement
and culture have penetrated.
But the ante bellum home
was one thing, the post bellum has
proven another. In ante bellum, ante
railroad days the scene was one of
royal equipage, of splendid mount,
when friends visited friends in
courtly trains and the great white
cOlumned homes were besieged by
weeks of revelry. In these days of
rapid transit visitations may be more
frequent, but they are more individual
and scattering. No longer is the
Southern home built after the fashion
of the Feudal Lords possessions with
their extensive retainers' quarters.
The days from '65 taught economy, but
did not dim the lustre of Southern
hospitality. The home was
smaller, few attendants rushed to do
the guests bidding, but the latch
string was still on the outside, the
same warm welcome within. But as
the years have passed on, as peace
and prosperity smiled upon us, and as
the invincible spirit of Southern men
snatched from the ashes of the past
the glory of the present, again the
Southern heart turned to its search
Tor ease and comfort, again finds it's
most exquisite pleasure in rearing
elegant shrines for the worship OF
home and hospitality.
But with the charged customs OF
the times the character of these homes
has changed. No longer is there
the great stretch of verandah, the
huge Railways and the many stray
Cling wings, there is more compact
ness, more genuine comfort. There is
the same amount of room, buj it is
better arranged. Perfecting archi-
lecture has touched the homes of the
South and beautified them.
THIS NEW HOME.
In all this fair South land nowhere
has prodigal nature 80 layished her
charms a. upon Austin, and i'll Austin
has MI. Ed. House built of all homes
the gem. Standing as it does upon one
of her highest hills it commands
view of enhancing beauty while
in itself forming hitting
Jewel in her resplendent
crown. The house combines all that
is modern in Northern architecture,
ali hat is comfortable in Southern
life. 1t is an idyl of symmetry, a nest
of ease. Its interior opens up as
scroll, it breaths welcome III Vlstas
to every wall. Room opens from room
without intercepting aisle and Silent
sense of comfort steals from every
nook. The style of the house and It's
luxury of appointment speak IN hlgh-
est phrases of the elegant taste OF us
designing master and mistress.
THE RECEPTION.
ONLY ladies were expected
at the afternoon eception which last
ed from 8 to 7 o'clock. The lnVltatl0hs
had divided the callers Alphabetically
aud every moment of the appointed
hours had it's utmost complement OF
guests. The refreshments were
elaborate and elegant and served
in such an exquisitely appointed din-
inc room as lent to them such relish
az rich perfume gives to summers
eveninp breeze. Mrs. House, In her
oneenly style, assisted by Mrs. Paul
thornton. McLaurin, Rect Thorn
G soI; w. DR.. Steiner, Shaw of
Memphis, d. T. Iglehart. r. &; eros
nv. Hutchings, Lewis Hancock, Jim
johnson, Carl Drake, Peyton Brown
Franz Fiset, Il. A. Hendricks, Wlth-
ers. G. w. Firebaugh, John Shearn OF
Houston, John G. James, D af
Tyner, A. A. Iomii HSords
Kansas City and G. L. EDWARDS
received and royalty entertained .ne
throng of callers. At night the dancr r
inc was on the gallery screened on
from the night air. Over head hung
hundreds of odd shaped chinese
lanterns that lent weird beauty TO
the scene.
THE MASQUERADE.
When Queen Night with all her
twinkling attendants assumed INC
rnle of the universe the scene cnang
ad tn one of no less interest 1han
marked the reception OF the a1ternoon !;
For two hours or more guests arrived
mill the whole house was throngeu;
The main interest centerin ne 10 rG tinna
the gathering at this .h paT niG& domino
und nask which served to hide enectu-
aiiv from any prying eye the ldenslay
a. the silently moving figures. Eyes
UNTITLED " with merry mischie1 ron TOM
S~naath masks that served to hloe
penoaU e. aos from, searching glances,
s smd to the locker on in Veni Ge;n tne
an% e. was as perplexing as a ChineSe
puzzle. ..ooob If the midnight
hour masks and dominoes en we,e changed
aside and the scene al h onTe and
to gathering mitig,s Of prid Rs'ii her yonng
= beauty s,n: sb M resplendant in brilliant
Costumes and dazzling ob Jewels 1sSi
oea u;Sg "a anti adorned the personagess t .,