The times., 1897-04-11

T
notre are now settled in their beautiful
country home, Clifton near Woodley.
"The Oaks" the beautiful and hlstonc
residence of Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Blount,
of West Washington, was thrown open ON
Thursday and Friday evenings TO atout
four hundred friends, who We're invited
to a reception followed by private theatre
Gals. The house was brilliantly illuml-
mated and tastefully decorated with as
paragus, promosa, palms and Towering
plants.
Mrs. Blount. who received in q handsome
toilet OF black velvet, with point lace, ana
diamond ornaments, was assisted in Ie-
eeiving her guests en Thursday evening, by
Mrs MaEIuter. MIS- Mary s Lockwood,
Miss Lockwood, Miss Saxtou, Mrs. Pat
ten. the Misses waEgaman, and the Misses
Iightfoot. while DR.. Chase, DR., Wood, and
DIR. Wichenek, assisted as ushers.
The second evening, Friday, her as
sistants were: Mrs. Jules Guthridge, gowacd
in black and white brocade; Miss Aileen
Bell, decollete gown of black gauze, over
black satin; Mrs A j. Halford, decollete
gown of red satin, with jet trimmings;
Miss Carrie Tisdell, i'll yellow hrocade
satin. with white chrysanthemums; Miss
Fdine Tisdel, in white silk, with viulets,
and Miss Helen Nicolay, blue molrc and
lace.
BY 9 o'clock, the hour appointed for the
ringing up of the curtain, the guests had
| assembled in the unique and artistic play
room which has recently been added to
| the Oaks" occupying the upper floor Of
| the house. The 'playroom' is almost square
| in shape and is perfectly equipped for the
purposes for which { is desi gned. \ rom-
| rnodious and well-arranged stage occupies
one end of the room and is beautifully
decorated in paintings, which are excellent
! representations of tapestry.
To the right of the stage is convenient
niche for the orchestra, which was, on this
occasion, screened with tall palms and
tropical plants.
The walls Of the room are pale yellow
| on which an Egyptian decoration of ex-
tremely artistic conception and finish is
painted
The work was designed by Chevaliel
Trentanovc and executed by Mr. Sidney
| Burle,gh, of Providence, E. /.
| The plays given were The Fatal Mes
sage" In which the cast included Judge
| Holt, Miss Blount, Miss Freeman, Miss
Hoffman, Mr.. Delano, Mr. Cooper and
Miss Hall, and The Happy Pair, in which
both Miss Blount and Mr.. Cooper distin
| guisbed themselves as Mr.. and Mrs. Ion
eyton.
Miss Rlount's work showed a high grade
| of histnonic talent. Her dainty morning
gown Of pale pink mousselaine with frill
| of lace and broad straw hat, laden witt
| mink roses. suited the part and the wearel
to perfection.
Mrs. Ellen Eames DeGroff, Of Chicago
| who is a sister of Mrs. Blount, gave some
impersonations startling in their realism
| When she appeared upon the scene at th'
close of the first half Of the program a.
| a decrepit old Granny" and scoided hel
unnatural grandchildren for sending he
off to bed, when they were Having com
pany and play ACTIN" the audience gave
every manifestation of delight.
The clever poster used in the play wai
the work of the young artist Ralph Remand
| At the conclusion of the evening, refresh
mepts were served AID the ''play room
| and PLAYERS were voted a great success.
Among the invited guests were: Gen
and Mrs Robert Dyrenforth, MIR, and Mrs
H A. willard, Mr.. Matsui, Mr. q. X
willard, Nine. Yang Yu, MIR. SEE, Mr.. ant
Mrs Thomas Wilson, MIR. and Mrs. JohI
B. White, Representative and Mrs. Barrows
Senator and Mrs. Warren, Rev and Mrs
E. Bradford Leavitt, Mr.. and Mrs. Rober
| Christie, Lieut. and Mrs. Downes Wilson
Seifeddin Rey, Hon. and Mrs. Lemuel W
Royce, MI and Mrs. Ross Thompson, MI
and Mrs. Darneille, the Misses Darneille
Mr. and Miss Spofford, Mrs. Somers, DR.
and Mrs Gallaudet, Mr.. and Mrs. F. S
Moore, Miss Moore, Senator and Mrs
Burrows, Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin Butter
worth, Mr. and Mrs A. L. Barber, Mr.. AM
| Mrs. Charles j. Ecl, Mr.. and Mrs. ]
Stanley Brown, DR.. and Mrs. Elliott Coue'
| Hon. and Mrs. John w Foster, Prof. an
Mrs. William T. Harris, Hon. and Mrs
Charles s. Henry, Hon. and Mrs. Josep
Hawley, MI and Mrs. NJ. x. Kauffmanr
| Prof and Mrs Elmer Bates, MI and Mrs
Nicolay, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Pollof
| Mr.. and Mrs NJ. NJ Parker, Mr.. and Mrs
Thomas W. Sidwell, Mr. and Mrs HoIt1
man, Judge and Mrs Holt, MIR. and Mr.!
Thomas F. waggaman, and many Others
The Witan Club OF the Eastern Higl