The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-31

floral adornment for the parlors. The
great lighthouses of the propagating gar
dens have been robbed of their choicest
blooms and their finest plants In the
broad but shallow lobby just within the
entrance palms have been arranged &c
screen the musicians Of the Marine band.
Seats have been placed In a semicircle for
them az the left of the entrance, and be-
yond the Tiffany glass screen has been
swung aside so that the concord of sweet
sounds" may penetrate undiminished to
every part of the mansion The door at
the other end Of the screen, too, has been
thrown open, and through this the crowd
Is to pass on its way to the reception
rooms.
In the Blue Parlor.
In the long hallway extending from the
conservatory to the east parlor door be-
yond the screen palms have been grouped
here and there, but the passage has been
left almost free for those who will want to
observe the incoming crowd and study hu-
man nature developed under the binding
light Of authority. 1t is a curious study,
and queer things happen in front of the
receiving line in the blue parlor.
In the three connecting parlors-the
red, the blue, the green-which form the
reception suit most elaborate floral prep
arations are made, and In the east parlor,
which Dolly Madison used as a drying
room on wash days, the mantels and
CRATES are hidden by great mass of bril-.
liant foliage and bloom, while the corners
are tropical with palms and huge ferns
and rubber plants. The curtains in all
these rooms are drawn, and the glow from
"sunbursts' of electric light illumines
the east parlor. In the other parlors the
softened radiance of frosted electric bulbs,
springing from the tapestried walls, lends
brilliance to the spectacle.
The first arrivals are the members Of
the presidents cabinet-superfuous today
II overland their wives or daughters or
whatever woman is at the head of the
household of each. Secretary Herbert's
daughter is his social representative. and
Mr.. Morton is represented by his sister
All the women Of cabinet household
may attend a New Years reception ard
stand behind the line" but only the head
Of household may stand at the presi-
dents right unless the head Of the house
hold Is absent from the city or sick. Even
then it is still mooted point whether the
next in authority should claim her place
in the official line. and great was the dis
pute and many the beartburnings because
katherine Bayard took the place of her in
valid mother at the head of the cabinet
women on the occasion Of one Of Mr..
Cleveland first official receptions
The cabinet members and the cabinet
women are ushered TO the private apart
rnents OF the presidents family on the SEQ
.nld floor of the White House, and there
wraps are laid aside, and possibly a little
nrimping is done-nos BY the cabinet
members, OF course Before the last hair,
pin is in place or the last DAD Of the pow
der puff has been given the members Of
the diplomatic corps have began to arrive
and have been shown 10 the state dining
room, which is the apartment next to the
red parlor on the first foor Here the DID
loInats put aside their hats and coats. and,
II IL rains. their gsloches While this L.
going on the younger members OF the off,
cial social circle are coming down stairs
under escort 70 the blue parlor 20 take po-
sitton behind the row of chairs which has
been placed for the official receiving party.
Others, both men and women, who have
been invited by Mrs Cleveland 70 be the
special guests Ut the occasion, are coming
In, and the blue parior Is filing upxzpidly.
Meantime without the public has begun
30 gather. rcndy for the opening Of the
gates. Carriages are admitted e the eass
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