Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-31

the wide hearth; the table of highly pol
lshed mahogany, with a richly carved Dor
der was laid without a cloth; and candles
IN low, delicate, twisted candelabra shone
gently across the high-bred faces of the
women In the center of the table was an
old-fashioned slender silver vase filled-not
TOO full-with long-stemmed, bending, blushy
roses, and at each cover were masses
OF deWy violets nesting in ANTIQUE silver
coasters which, in years gone by, used
10 mold chubby, heavy cut glass decanters
iiiled with the good old port, so loved by
s0ou ola men. The juice of Rhine grapes
sraced this feast, but it's amber light
oahced through decanters Of fragile We
i'etiah glass placed directly upon the table
u pe renected in its deep, dark gloss.
Yours is such dignified table" was the
hrst remark that greeted the hostess when
an had settled comfortably into their
places, unfolded the large brocaded choco-
tate napkins, with flaxen fringes. and
spread them protectIngly over the simmer
ing silken skirts. 1T is such a relief from
the conglomention Of lace. ribbons and
satin, and from the scrappy embroideries
oabbled under every frippery, knicknack
dish with which we have been surfeited
this winter"
As to Candle Shades.
And you have no candle shades" said
another guest opening her eyes to the
widest extent in order to display her as
tonished admiration. II am SO tired of
those befurbelowed little deliberations that
lcok so fussy, and are necessarily confla-
grating. 1 have quite given I'D trying to
nave anything in the way Of a conversa-
tlon at dinners. The shades are sure to
plaze up in the midst of my most eloquent
remark, and the interruption of a general
rush to the rescue thrusts all my brilliancy
into oblivion"
And you have only fragrant flowers"
said third appreciative speaker. Scentless
mowers crowded into masses to show a
lavish expenditure and match the candle
shades. usually greet us at smart dinners
and luncheons nowadays. Overdone beef is
considered severe form of gastronomic
misery; but, in my opinion, it is far less
Objectionable than overdone luxury"
am SO glad that you enjoy my flowers"
SAID the chatelaine, beaming under the
warmth OF TINS sunny applause. at has be-
come an accepted notion that fragrant
Mowers are out of place in the dining room
Inc reason given is that the minsling of
1000 smells with floral odors is not harmon
ious. cannot, of course, answer for all
dlnlng rooms; but, although the fiayors of
my Kitchen may smell to heaven they are
not permitted to smell to my dining room
ana You are gratifying, too" she added.
turning to her second fiatterer. ITO forgive
me the absence of candle shades but Won
really ought to do so, because you ALI look
SO much prettier under the soft clear WAY
hsht than would be possible with yellow,
green or RED shadows thrown over your
faces. Besides, as 1 am one of the colonial
DANES and use my old colonial silver it
would not be appropriate for me to mar the
sweet colonial simplicity with modern gew-
gaws."
The Simplicity That is Elegance.
But We cannot all be colonial DANES and
have colonial heirlooms you know" ex-
claimed very nineteenth century dame
with a grieved air, as she poised in midair
the tork that had started on its downward
drop TO guillotine fish croQuctte.
we can all have the simplicity that is
IN ITSELF elegance, however" replied the
hostess, quietly. Il hope that remark Goes
not sound opinionated and self-satisfied. I
mean to say only that, according to nv
IDEAS, there is lot of money thrown AWAY
on millinery table decoration, and that the
erect produced Is oftener tawdry than sat-
iSfactory."
An, well! If you ever are bereft of home
ana fortune you have profession ready for
you, remarked the Youngest elIest an
swering to the fair name of Margaret A
smile curved sweetly about her mouth. hut
there was suggestion of a sad perhaps
in her earnest eyes.
e., ~ 90 not know Of any profession ready
LOT me but the profession of woman and
that is said to be a very hard profession.
you know" the hostess answered. with an
unexpected seriousness.
Il viii explain my enigma" Margaret
sand. You might order, decorate and SUI
perintend the entertainments of your
frlendS-those fortunate ones whose heads
remain above the waters of financial de-
pression-and save them from converting
dinners n RI
displays. At the dinner hour you could be
sheltered behind a screen. inspect and ar
range each course before it is taken to the
table. and so relieve the hostess from all
care"
Confident Hostess.
Il will engage you in advance" laughed
the dear friend at the foot of the table.
Then l shall be able to come to my own
dinner parties with the pleasant an;icipa-
ton Of the invited, and laugh at the pet
jokes Of my honored guest in the proper
place. instead of staring blanlxly at him
through the climax because l am wondering
If the pudding sauce will be sent on with
the fish, or some like calamity arrive"
Il have thought Of professions for wo-
men with an apprehensive personal inter-
est" said the pretty creature that had in
troduced the serious subject. I'm these DAYS
of commercial catastrophe, when we are
liable to find ourselves suddenly face to
face with poverty, it is well in prosperity to
think of the possibilities of adversely.
and"
when 1 am poor" interrupted Madam
Flippant, speaking as rapidly as she could
and at the same time nibbie sailed almonds
Il shall retire to rose-embowered cottage
in the country, accompanied by my faith ul
old black Betty, who will assume all care.
protect me from all trouble. and be always
ready to sympathize respectfully with the
loss of happy days"
THAT is all very well in fiction, nv
dear" said the hostess. now warmly in
terested. But in real life, when the crash
necessity. Then the moneyless one finds
that the time has past when women might
weep while men worked. She realizes that
every employment is already crowded with
workers; that clever women have become
so plentiful they are quite a drug in the
market, and, moreover, either from neces-
sity or from business ambitions, they have
cast longing eyes on every occupation that
has hitherto been looked upon as mans ex-
elusive domain"
Then, if l am not to have a rose-em-
powered cottage" responded Madam Flip
pant, rather ruefully, Il think / would try
debt-collecting. / doubt If that occupation
is extensively pursued by women. Collect
ing small accounts would be a somewhat
difficult and trying vocation, but l should
be sweet and persuasive / am sure that
even the surliest creditor could not find IT
in his heart to be rude to me-"
I'VE accept that statement with alacri-
ty' was chorused with musical laughter
Profession of Lamp Doctor.
"Since you have given some thought to
the subject, Margaret, perhaps you have
already chosen your own business career"