The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-02
In SOCIETY CIRCLES.
New Years Day Very Generally
Observed in the Old Way.
THOSE WHO RECEIVED CALLERS.

The Topeka society man may have in
digestion this morning, but he hasn't got
the "bust-head,', or more elegantly
speaking, the 'burst-head' That is not
the kind of open house Topeka ladies
keep But if he, or rather his dress coat,
is not adorned with many favors he isn't
in it''-society. The ladies We'd with
each other in designing unique favors to
bestow on their callers yesterday, and
the result is that the beaus, old and
young, went about decorated by my lady
after the fashion of knights of the six
teenth century. Much originality and
cleverness were displayed in them all,
but it has been generally conceded that
the Pansy clubs favor of tiny rabbits
foot, which they attached to the lapel
of the caller by a ribbon, bore off the
palm for real downright "cunningness."
Taking advantage of the beautiful
weather the male contingent was out in
force and full dress.
The old beau brushed up his dress suit
and his "reminiscences, and went about
to see if the girls who were keeping
open house could compare with their
mothers as hostesses.
The young beau went to remind Mrs.
Grundy that he is out not having had the
like that at which his sister made her
debut, to announce that he has launched
mis- bark on the sea of fashion.
The regular society man went because
it's the thing to do.
The man who hates regular receptions
went because it's pleas&nter than SO
much crowding, and one had chance to
see all the pretty girls in town under
pleasant circumstances
hof e
day. 1t is well the New Year is young
but once-at least but once year.
As if to keep pace with the ladies'
cleverness in preparing favors. the gen
tlemen had evolved some strikingly
novel ideas for calling cards
The oldest and largest of these was an
immense folder, about the size of thea
ter programme covered all over with
funnyisms.
Not the least mirth provoking of these
were the names of the callers, Walter
Thomas Noble, Clarence Messer Mer-
Ram, j. c. Wickham and Carroll Burn
BAN Merriam, printed in variegated type
from every font in printing office, the
names beginning with lower case letters
and capitals appearing in the middle.
The young men took advantage of the
opportunity afforded them to do the
thing their wives will do for them after
awhile, use their high-sonnding middle
names, and many reception room table
bears witness this morning that Topeka
has its share of the Bradley Martin and
Chatfield- Chatfield Taylor element
Six bright young men welcomed the
occasion to caricature the style of part
ing the name in the middle and left
single large card with six little brownies
on it with these names under them: w.
Putnam Griswold, K. Malcolm Wharry,
f. Barton Kellam, G. Stanley Medlicott,
c. Woodbury. Nellis and E. Alfred Med
lico:t.
The Lotus quartette had a very pretty
single card with the names of H. L.
Shirer, II. E. Overholt, F. B. Anderson
and H. v Hinckley on it They do
lighted the ladies wherever they went
with their singing
A party of eight young men created
much merriment by carrying a bell with
them, which was in charge of
each one alternately. When the man
with the bell thought it was time
to go, he rang it, and everybody went.
Their card was printed in Old English
script and bore the names of Messrs.
Horace II. King. Frank P Edison, Geo.
Rust, Edward Mcbride, Ben Akers, Fred
c. Kingsley, William McFerran, and
Clifford listed as well as a quotation in
verse.
The married men were we'll represent
ed and it is whispered awaited themselves
largely of the sweet prerogative, theirs
only by right of the day and the pres
ence Of the magic mistletoe.
Captain J. B. johnson and Mr.. J. Willis
Gleed called together; Ex-Governor o.
born, A A. Robinson, Col. A. s. johnson
and z. l. Bonebrake formed a party.
Judge A Ii. Horton chaEeroned a party
consisting of A. H. Horton, Jr., Clarence
Horner, and George Penfeld.
Msssrs. Frank FARRELL and J. L. King
paired Oft
Charles Dick, who is in California. de-
lighted his girl friends by a souvenir
card of the road vita which he is con-
nected
One of the cleverest cards was that of
Messrs Robert Pierce, Jacob B. Furry.
Leonard s. Ferry and Aston w. Davis.
One especially cautious young woman
decided early in the afternoon to stay on
the safe side-of the mistletoe. by re-
naming seated, A party calling to-
gether we're appraised of her determine
ton, and picking her up chair and all,
held her up under the mistletoe Dough
till each one could kiss her
At some of the houses the cheer offe--
ed guests was as original in idea as
were the cards and favors. 1t was a CAV
time and everybody was happy; and
nobody felt bad that Topeka was cling
ing to an old-fashioned custom which
helped to renew old friendships and
cement new ones. after ALL" as some
great writer once said. there's nothing
as old as the New Year ITSELF;
Miss Daisy Lakin and her young
friends assisting her decorated each
caller with a sunflower. The house was
decked in green and red, and the young
ladies were unusually pretty in their
handsome gowns
New Year callers at this handsome
home found many things of more than
ordinary interest; objects which thew
Tuscan lamps in brass, which certainly
look like antique. in the library These
have three branching arms, from which
hang trimmers and shutters, all in brass.