The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-04
Social and
PERSONAL

The past week has been unusually
dull in a social way. Perhaps the near
approach Of Christmas appalls the
feminine head of the family and causes
her to think more about shopping and
preparing for the holiday festivities
than of planning entertainments for
the present. The receptions given by
Mr.. and Mrs. Sturges and a few in
formal dinners have made up most of
the society dissipations. What shall
/ give him." What on earth can I
get for her?" are the all absorbing
thoughts of the day behind which
shrink the one time important topics of
what shall we eat; where withal shall
we he clothed, and whom shall we
leave out of the ever-increasing invita-
tion list?
This question of Christmas gifts
again looms up in colossal proportions.
or course it is burden because we
make il such in our mad tearing
around and in our frantic endeaNors to
prune here and there. No matter how
much curtailnE is done we never seem
10 be able to reduce the dimensions of
our self-imposed burdens. and every
year we assume more and it is no
wonder that many of us before Christ
mas retrograde almost to the condition
of gibberinG idiots in wondering how
we are going to manage TO carry out
our plans. and afterward drop into
nervous prostraton. while wondering
why, we did so anyway.
If the average man were seriously
consulted or seriously considered after
being consulted he would probably cX-
press a desire for each member of his
household to buy his or her own Christ
mas presents. 1t isn't every head of
the family who is so angelic as to BE-
really pleased at the gift of a side
saddle from his wife, as was one of
whom IL is said that he was delighted
because she could take so much pleas
ure with it,. If this sort of spirit were
general there would probably be found
III the husbands stockings Christmas
morning an embarrassing supply of
ladies' '9S wheels, and seal skin coats.
Everybody remembers the pathetic
story of the man to whom his wife
submitted an extensive list of articles
suitable for his Christmas present,
from which he was commanded to
make a selection or to which he might
add some other ycarned for attraction.
After long and deliberate consideration
he finally remarked, patiently: mo,
Maria, | don't seem to think Of any
thing else | really need unless it may
be a pair of lace curtains or a new
sewing machine"
The first large social event OF the
season took place Thursday at the
handsome suburban home of Mr.. and
Mrs. +, B. Sturges on North Washing
ton avenue, when two large receptions
were given in honor of Mrs. Clarence
Sturges and Miss Helen Douglas SAKE,
the tianCee of Mr.. George Sturges.
The beautiful rooms rich with ori-
entail treasures, were lavishly decor
ated from the hosts own hot houses.
Bauer's orchestral furnished music. The
receiving party, boCh afternoon and
evening, occupied the front drawing
room.
Mrs. Sturges who wore mauve moire
and Duchesse lace was assisted in re-
cetrtng by Mrs. Clarence Sturges and
Miss SAKE. The. former was attired in
her bridal gown Of white satin. Miss
SaXe's costume was pink crepe. About
the rooms We're Mrs. j. Gardner SAN
derscn, Mrs. j. Ben Dimmick and Miss
SandersOn. Mr.. and Mrs. Sturgcs
greeted many guests during the hours
of receiving. Later in the evening
dancing was enjoyed by the younger
set. Refreshments were served by
Scranton caterers.
Among the out Of town guests were:
Mrs. NJ. G. Waterman, of Southport.
Conn; DR. y. G. Parke, PittstOn; Mrs.
Burr C9rbondale; Mr. and Mrs. T. A.
Atherton, Messrs. Darte and Ryman.
of Wilkes-Barre.
TIE deception at the Rowing associa-
ton Tuesday evening in honor of Con-
gTcssman William Connell, was one Of
the DlcaSantest events which have
taken place in years at that popular
club SO noted for it's social affairs in
the past
The marriage of Miss Marie SchlCnZ
80 Rev, Wilhelm Bruckcr of Woodville.
o.. was a pretty event which took
place in the Chestnut Street German
Pr sbyterian church Wednesday even
ing. y reception was held at the close
ot the ceremony at the home Of the
brides parents, Mr.. and Mrs John
Scflen2.
Mrs A. ID, Blackinton, with her Gus
tomary thought for the young people,
and their pleasure, with give a Christ
mas eve dance at the bicycle club for
her niece Miss Galpin, and her nephew
Mr., John Galpin.
Beidleman's holiday book rooms. in
the Board of Trade building seemed 10
lac a popular place last evening. on the
occasion Of the opening. 1t was quite