The herald., 1894-03-11

Inc preLuesJ ana most original huhlf
that has taken place in this city for
aoms time past WAS the butterfly tea
held yesterday afternoon and evening at
the residence OF Mrs. Charles Ellis, cor
ner OF Twenty-third and Scarf streets.
1t WAS given by the Assistance league
for TIE benefit Of its fund. The league
mas been organized several months,
Mrs. Fred Griffith being president
and Mrs. Ainsworth secretary
and treasurer. At first. the field
was rather narrow and the funds
rather limited, being raised By means OF
25-cent collections taken at each meet
ing Of the organization. As the field
wideued and demands became more
numerous, other and more profitable
means were sought to increase the
amount in the treasury. The leagues
members are mainly among society
women, and it was finally decided to
give the novel style Of entertainment as
embodied in butterfly tea.
The pleaaautest feature of the affair
was the fact that it partook OF the ma
ture OF a eocial event, all ideas Of
pecuniarv or charitable nature being
lost sight of in the presence of such
artistic taste and the light and airy
butterflies. II was only after all the
tables had been visited, their wares
sampled and several extra butterflies
purchased, that one realized the true
objects of the butterfly tea. They we're
precisely those trifing little ideas that
had been forgotten on entering the
rooms. But as q comfortable sum was
netted, the object of the ladiea, that OF
helping the fund and helping man to
forget the cares of this busy world, were
realized, and il was success allsaround.
Mrs. Chae. Ellis had kindly rendered
the use OF her residence and nearly all
the rooms on the lower floor were called
INTO reputation. The large grounds
we're decorated with many Japanese lam
tera which we're lighted in the evening.
The stairway was also proiuaely trimmed
with smilax, peppers and studded with
brilliantly colored butterflies.
The decorations were almost entirely
of paper butterflies that had been made
by the ladies of the league, assisted by
their friends. By the doorway Of the
drawing room, at the left OF the stair
way, was the coffee booth, which was
decorated in I'D and white. The table
was in the form of monster butterfly,
with golden body and antenn@. Onthe
outspread wings of this growth of Cali
iornia were vaseE containing beautiful
poinsetta, dainty red carnations, and sill
yer ware, in which were placed the bon
bonH and other articles for sale. On
each antenna was q silver caudelabra,
with five lighted candles, topped with
rich, dark paper shades. By the side Of
table was q handsome banquet lamp,
with a lovely red paper shade covered
with. paper poppieB, this crimson deco
ration causing much admiration. In
the rear was q little bay window in
which mirrors and potted plants were
placed. Above the table was white
net dotted with butterflies, and forming
a sort OF canopy over the scene. Mrs. o.
w. Childs, in an elegant gown OF white
satin with white chiffon red velvet and
ornaments OF diamonds, presided. She
was assisted by Mrs. Shoemaker. Misses
Banning, Bessie Ellis, Roberts and
Alden, all wearing costumes of red and
white with the exception OF Miss Alden
who was in a becoming gown of white
elk. The yellow and black booth was
in the same room, Russian tea being
served.
By the eide of the table was massive
black column partially covered with a
yellow silk scarf, and supporting q jar
of yellow acacias. The background OF
the booth was OF black, on this being
placed butterflies and dragon flies in
great quantity.
Ropes Of smilax were wreathed about
the walls and canopy, which was
formed of o mat of yellow grass.
Mrs. Fred d. Griffith was in charge.
She wore a becoming costume of change
able black and yellow silk, with velvet
trimmings. She was assisted by Mrs.
J. II. Utley, in dainty peach shade of
silk, with lace; Mrs. Francis Thomas,
Mrs. f. K. Ainsworth and Miss Wede-
meyer.
In an adjoining room was the
lavender and green booth. This was
especially pretty: The table was
covered with lavender crepe pa
per, on which was center
piece of violets and maidenhair ferns,
these also being scattered about the
tables. Green candles, lavender shades
and numerous BANQUET lamps lighted
the scene. The butterflies were dis
played on clusters of bamboo which
lined the walls.
Mrs. Joe Cook in lavender crepe and
violets and Mrs. Earl wearing gown Of
green and lavender material were in
charge. They were assisted by Mrs.
Bancroft, Misses Fuller, Elderkin and
HELEN Fuller. The Russian tea booth
was also another pretty place. Ii was
decorated in red and black. The
table WAS covered with a hand
some red silk cloth and decorated
with flowers, banquet lamps and can
delabras helping to light the spot. In
an alcove behind the table were placed
mirrors, flowers and potted plants, and
lighted with red-shaded lamp. The
butterflies were displayed on q black
netting stretched above the booth.
Mrs. Geo. A. Mead, In gown Of black
eatin with oriental embroidery, was in
charge. Shs was assisted by Mrs. DR..
Burnett, Misses Kimble, Braly, Carson.
The chocolate wss served in bsauti-
fully decorated room Of pink just facing
the stairway. The table WAS ornamensed
with silver candelabras, flowers, and q
pretty pink scarf. On the manEel WAS O
basket OF peach blossoms. The butter
flies were ON white tennia net that wRa
artistically hung along the walls Of the
room.
The following ladies' were in charge:
Mrs. Albert O. Josss, in 3 becoming
gown Of pink ottomsn silk with duch-
esee lace and diamond ornaments; Mrs.
Joe. i. Eartori, in pink chiffon and
valxyoS end Mru Tnhn Voahar0 IN