The National tribune., 1894-01-11
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There seems an inadequacy and general in-
defniteDess in the English language in the
terms describing lovers and their degrees
When there is no engagement, but decided
preference for one girl. none but the careless
and slovenly in speech viii designate the man
her beau or fellow both goed, solid
English words when used in any other connec-
tiOn. Bridget, who is always a hirt, has her
"stiddy company" in the kitchen ayenings."
The Southern giri-ever ronantic-tells
that John is waitin' Annie" or Sam is
courtin' JOSIE" There are no intermediate
stages for her-either he is courtin' or he is
not courtin,. In New England "keepin' COM
pany" has respectable use to describe Sans
position toward Mary. but it is not phrase
much liked farther South. Ordinarily, when
there is an engagement there is nothing left
bat to call John fance aud Mary q faneee,
although both words tease the unaccustomed
tongue. Young man" has been forever
assigned TO bousemaids and pretty opera SOU
brettes, although occasionally girls speak thus
A Western girl always asks, HAS Bertha
stepped off YETI" meaning to inquire after
Bertha's matrimonial prospects. "a wooing,"
betrothed," and "sweethearts" may delight
poets, but are certainly too sentimental for
everyday use for the end-of-the-century girl.
s*s
Dinner giving Is recognized by English host
esses as being one of the most satisfactory ways
of entertaining. now that long banauets, with
crowded tables aud heavy food, have passed
away. Perhaps it is selfish to be too optimist-
&c, but it seems as though everything is grow
ing moro sensible and beautiful every year.
1t is much easier to entertain gracefully and
enjoyably with a few guests. fewer and simpler
courses. and the table not all fused up with
plush streaks and big set flower pieces. The
ideal dinner-party. for formal dinner. does not
include more than eight or 10 and of these
there must be some quiet. appreciative ones as
well as brilliant takers or "lions." Other
wise it will be like the yacht party where 10th
Tennyson and Gladstone were guests, and, to the
hosts discontinue, each gathered 8 little set
around himself and talked about his own sub
ject, and there was not the brilliant interchange
of thought anticipated. The dinner should
not last more than an hour or an hour and a
quarter, and il can be as simple as desired so
far az the food is concerned. but must be excel
lently cooked and daintily served. Then let
not the hostess spoil all by being restless and
worried. for this is worse than bad food or stu
pid people.
Woman has been patenting things ever
since 1890. but only within tho last 20 years
has she done any steady work. OF course,
baby -carriages and by.jumpers and cradles
and chairs, washing machines children's toys,
and improvements for her own garments, have
occupied large part of her attention. but a
New York woman has patented a device for
twisting wire rope which was suggested to her
while she was twisting yarn. She sold her
patent for $4,000. Locomotive wheels. type
writer attachments invented by an unmarried
woman-to yield to wrong impulse and givea
worthless joke new life.-car ventilators, dump
carts and improvements for the sewing ma
chine, have all been improved by her logical
and practicable ideas.
SIS
Muffs, ruffied, shirred, slken, satin, velvet,
embroidered, beaded, or puckered, may be seen
warming the fingers of fair woman. But the
fur muf Of dark. striped mink Or rich, smooth
sealskin or dainty ermine are more popular
than the homemade ones.
So
Solferino-a color as old-fashioned and queer
as magenta-is popular for bright touches in
dark costumes 1t is exactly the shade of the
old-timey favorte flowers, the solferino roses.
and Is easily recognized.
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