The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
PERSONAL AND SOCIETY
SOME POSSIBILITIES IN a CoTILLIoN
SUGGESTED.
The Newest Thing I'm N Luncheon for
Bridesmaids--The "Reciprocity"
Idea Among Clubs.

The cotilIioa cannot be said to be a
favorite entertainment in this city. and yet
there are many possibilities in the cotillion
for any one who Is searching for novelty.
The following describes cotillion given In
an Eastern city a short time ago and is
one that might be copied in almost any
place with good effect: The cotilIon is
not often a vehicle of unitarian theories,
nor can the solitary exception be said to
prove the rule. a charitably-inclined hos
tess has bethought herself of scheme
whereby she can entertain and also help
along her pet charity. She prepared an as
sortment of socks. stockings, Tam o Shan
tiers, Brownie caps, worsted mufiiers
wooden gloves. scarfs and mittens, and
knitted shawls and made them do duty as
german favors at her dance.
Two large clothes baskets were placed
at the door OF the room where the dance
was given. and the recipients were
quested to discard their woolly favors and
place them in the basket they left the
room. Next morning the articles were
bundled W and swept Off to make warm
some deserving children and their moth
ers."
The newest thing at fashionable functions
was exploited at a recent wedding at the
East-a table spread made entirely out of
flowers. 1t was lunch given by the host
to the ten bridesmaids who had ac-
conpanied the youthful bride to the altar.
The whole surface OF the square table was
covered with asparagus fern in diamonds
OF about eight inches from point TO point.
crossing and recrossing to form an exact
square. leaving border about fourteen
inches clear for the plates. glasses. etc.
This network was made by fastening the
vine at regular intervals with minute safe
~ pins to one side of the cloth. and care
fully keeping true diagonal lines to the OPP
posite side after the manner Of an old lat
tlced window. Through it marguerites, full
blown flowers and many buds were thickly
strewn, so placed as to raise their heads
clearly and having the most starry. youth
full look of gayety. such as flowers have in
meadow, and yet a dainty air which was
well suited to the young guests.
Daylight had been excluded, as the situ-
alton OF the room gave no real sunshine;
lights at the side of the walls diffused q
general radiance, and on the table were
four cut-glass candelabras with pure white
candles and shades small branches of the
asparagus winding partly up the standard
No bonbon dishes or any sort of food
broke the delicate lines of green and white
which, though in mixed form, varied with
very tall. clear glass vase held a graceful
bunch of long-stemmed marguerites, and
from 1T long fern branches trailed down.
ward TO the cloth. AT the plates were the
boxes containing the brides gifts to her
maidens, and a small bunch of viOlets was
thrust through the narrow bow of white
satin ribbon which tied them One almost
felt that the guests also should have been
dressed in white, but their wintry furs and
velvets only intensified the purity and deli
cacy of the white and green.
Though not a part of the decorations 1t
may be suggestive to add that before they
rose from the table considerable interest
and fun were derived from the choosing
by each maid of a cake out of dish hold
ing exactly ten iced precisely alike, and in
one Of which was concealed a ring. A sin
gle daisy made by the cOnfectioner adorned
the top OF each little cake, and TO one of
these was attached a wire, holding the
ring. When all were served they were
asked to pull off the sugar daisies stimuli
taneously. so the interest was kept up to
the last moment, when the finder drew forth
ring and wire together. She whose lot it
vas to find was supposed to be the next
bride from the pretty group.
No club in Indianapolis has yet followed
the recent idea of several of the clubs of
other cities. This idea is called "reciproc-
ity.'' and means that the good in some
clubs shall occasionally go beyond the
membership. One club has what it terms.
"Childrens day." when the children of the
members are brought and are allowed to
see what it is when Mama goes to the
club" If possible some work is given to
the children such as acting as ushers. a
duty which they enjoy. as they feel the
responsibility of doing something for
grown-up people. Another club has
daughters day." when the daughters of
the members are invited. Another club
leaves two or three dates on its programme
not filled and a member of another club
reads paper. which she has read before
her own club few weeks before This lat
ter plan is said tc bring the presidents and
committees together. comparison of meth
DDS result. acquaintance and sympathy are
extended and desire for excellence is
stimulated"
As WashingtOn's birthday is a good day
to celebrate there are various suggestions
made for dinners. luncheons, receptions and
teas. The following is for Martha Wash.
fngton luncheon and suggested by Mrs s
T. Rorer in the Ladies Home Journal:
Cover the table with a white cloth. Ir
stand
a tall vase filled with red and white carna
lions. At one corner place huge bow OF
blue and white ribbon. In this bow stane
a dainty dinner lamp OF silver. glass, bras.
or copper. Have the light shielded by 2
fluffy scarlet paper shade. The almond.
and olives in pretty glass dishes may also
form part of the table service For thj.
special occasion il would be wen TO us,
either plain white china or old Canton. Ir
keeping with the title. a statuette of Gen
eral or Lady Washington on a round bon
bon box may be placed as souvenir at tn,
left of each plate at table
Tomato Bouillon
Olives. Almonds
Salmon Creams. Sauce Hcllandaise
Potato Balls.
Chicken Alabama. Peas
Waldorf Salad. Waters
Violet Russo.
Coffee.