The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-20

and gold, so small that walters and
guests would be mixed up with each
other in hopeless confusion. And after
looking over the ground carefully saw
that other quarters would have to be
provided for the entertainment. The
lady was greatly opposed to giving n
reception in public hall. Suddenly an
idea occurred to me, and said:
Madam, would you not like to have
the use of that large and elegant man
sion which stands vacant next door to
you for this occasion? / can furnish it
completely, and will SO arrange every
thing that it will seem on the evening
of the reception just as if you really
lived there"
The idea pleased her immensely, and
! accordingly set to work upon my
preparations. found could hire the
mansion for one day; and after con
sulting upholstcrcrs and furniture deal
ers I learned that between sunrise and
sunset of the cventful day the mansion,
immense though it was, could be COM
pletcly furnished.
When the day arrived l must confess
/ was somewhat nervous over the en-
tcrtainmcnt, for the undertaking was
really stupendous one. But by seven
o'clock ut night all was complete, and
as looked it over l smiled happily at
the result. The floors, which were of
good material, had been highly oiled
and very rich and heavy rugs had been
plcntifully placed upon them The
windows were hung with handsome
curtains. The walls were covered with
portlercs and pictures, while the man
tel shelves and cabinets were plentiful
ly adorned with bric-a-brac. Very
artistic and very antique bits of fur
niture were scattered about the house,
and there were couches and folding
beds and all things to indicate that q.
family might be living there. In the
ladies' drcssing-rooms were ladies'
maids whom / had sent up from my
own establishment, and on the dressing
tables was us bountiful n supply of
combs and brushes and toilet bric-n-
brac as the soul of any woman could
desire. Nothing was missing, from a
pair OF curling tongs to IL powder rag.
Rouge cups were plentiful, and it was
remarked aftcrward by the hostess
that never had she seen such thorough
ly-cquippcd drcssing-rooms.
How much did all this cost? It cost
$1,000. But there was 81 800 worth of
furniture in .he house, and the number
of people employed during the twenty
four hours was almost beyond belief
A short time ago did similar thing
for young married couple. They were
living in a little fat and they wished to
give grand entertainment. BY leasing
the apartment next to them for one day
ieh Il
was added to the already available
room, and everything passed off beauti-
fully. Probably to this day the friends
of that young couple arc denouncing
them for their extravaganza in occupy
ing fourtcen-room flat, when in real
ity they are living in one which is less
that half that number of rooms.
L am frequently asked what is the
smallest apartment in which can give
dinner, and always reply that one
room is sufficient. BY putting screens
along one side of the room i shut out
my preparations from the guests, while,
with the use of chnfing dishes, | serve
the entire dinner from behind the
screen as faultlcssly as though had II
kitchen and IL buffers pantry from
which to draw
Very funny things arc sometimes
done when people wish to give an en-
tcrtainment. If woman comes to me
and says:
MIR. Sherry, wish to give n dinner
to twenty people and my house is
small"
say to her. MADAM, you NAV do So
but you must let me have my owl way
with your house"
Then visit her house, look it owe,
and plan things like general before Il
battle. If | see that her dining table
is insufficient, her cook stove faulty and
her chairs are not suitable for a dinner
/ say to her:
Can you let me have the entire use
OF your house on the afternoon of tho
dinner? You may reserve dressing
rooms foryoursclf and guests, but beg
that you will allow me to take posses
sion of the rest of the house."
If she is n sensible woman she give.
way to my Judgment and lets me have
full swing. On the day of the dinner
send truck to the house and order
all furniture removed and put into the
truck. Out go the offensive dining
room chairs, the insufficient table, the
bric-a-brac, the lamps that are in the
way, the reception room furniture and
everything not actually needed for the
dinner. Nothing is left as 1T was ex
ccpt the parlor and dressing rooms.
then put small dining-tables in the din
ing-room and reception-room, place
suitable chairs at them, set up hug,
gas stove in the kitchen and then am
ready to give dinner. After the din
ncr is over the guests drift into the pa,.
lor, and in less than an hour and some
times in half an hour have the dining
Tn lAlnt, .-I,L.. A i