The Waco evening news. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 1891-1894, 1893-12-23
Mns. s1AYnrN's EEcErrIoN.

i y
den opened the portals of their
handsome home TO society, in honor
of their guest, Mss Presbrey, of
Boston. The afternoon hours were
devoted to ladies' reception and
the drawing rooms were thronged
with richly gowned mstrons. In
the evening the dancing set were
hidden aud, after the reception
hours, danced until the heralds Of
the coming morn were heard.
There is probably not d home in
the south so filed with treasure
trove as the Stay len mansion. Mrs.
Slayd IN has msde flequent trips to
the I'd World and in her travels
has gathered many rare and beautl-
full souvenirs; there is nothing quite
so delightful as to have this gra
cious chatelaine chat with you about
the different pieces of her rare col
lection; each has its own remlnis-
cence and az Mrs. Slayden is a
charming raconteur these little mar
ratives are mos delightful.
The house, so filled as it is with
rare brica brac, scarcely needed
decoration, but the ll)rlst's touch
lent an additional charm. catering
the large square hall, stories of the
yule-tide were brought TO mind by
the brightly blazing hre,th cabinet
msntel rising above, banked with
holly and mistletoe, mingled with
the green of the cedar. U nder the
chandelier hung spray of the
waxen mistletoe, and the carved
stair rails were wrapped with ropes
of cedar broken at intervals with
clusters of holly berries and wreaths
of mistletoe. AT the landings
beautiful designs in holly aud mis-
tletoe called forth many admiring
remarks. At the base of the stairs
a mammoth, eautifully polished
tortoise shell served as receptacle
for an artistic mingling of the
CHRISTMAS green's and bright haed
berries.
Passing into the front drawing
room the perfect simplicity of the
decorations caught the eye. On the
mantle an immense jardlnlere filled
with large snowy ohfysantbemum',
on the cabinets rare vases Fl led with
creamy flowers, and the piano bore
a most unique souvenir of the East
Indies, a sponge whose different
branches formed perfect f)wer
receptacles. These were filled with
white and pink carnations mingled
with maiden hair ferns, making an
exquisite floral piece.
Roses filled the rear drawing
room, roses so perfect, in size aud
color that one was tempted to won.
der if they were natures own pro-
duction. These were blended with
ferns and smilax, making a most
happy effect. Roses obtained in
the dining room. The square table
covered with heavy damask was
ov arlaid with a b beautiful square of
lace lined with rose hued silk, dot
ted about the tables were single
rosebuds with fern frond, in the
center an elegant silver epergne
stood lied with white and pink
roses, rose.colored crystallizsd fruits
and bon bons added much to the
decorations.
Tne library, filled with fl >wers,
was converted into the punch room,
where delicious champagne punch
sparkled and flowed the entire even
ing. Upstairs profuse floral deco
rations were used. A most stump
tuous supper was served, and Renicks
orchestra, screened by palms, played
the entire afternoon and evening.
Mrs. Slayden wore an elegant
gown of white satin, en- traine, with
rutll IS of duchesse lace on the skirt
and bodice, and number of dia
mond ornaments.
The fair guest, Miss Presbrey, i.
handsome brunette, and wore q
most becoming gown of cream silk
trimmed with pale green velvet and
rare lace.
The guests were too numerous
for individual note, but many hand
some gowns adorned the fair wo
men who filled the house.
The function was all that wealth