The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-24
ODD SOCIAL FUNCTION.
Midsummer Bicycle Party In a
Cellar.
IDEA OF A CHICAGO HOSTESS.

Cellar Fixed Up Like German Beer
Garden-Gucsts Enjoy Themselves In
Cool Bowers of Evergreens While 9th
ers Swelter Outside.
~ society function In u CELLAR This is
the 'ntest stroke of policy by which n
charming and versatile Chicago hostess
has ciroumvcntcd tho sizzling attacks of
Old Sol and given to n select party of
friends the most unique and original en-
tertainmcnt ever attended by the members
of Chicngo's fashionable society.
If cellar parties do not become popu-
arwith the leading entertainers and their
guests during the Eonson Of extreme heat,
1t VIII not bo by reason of any failure of
the first function of this kind to delight
those who were privileged to take part in
It's novel and rollicking pleasures In tho
opinion OF the guests summer resorts hnvo
henccforth lost thoir charms. Tho moist,
torrid weather no longer holds terrors for
them, and cellar party Is tho synonym
for the most delightful Of all social gath
erings.
TO Mrs. Frederick S. Gardner of 1900
Kenmore avenue belongs the distinction
of having invented this innovation in the
modes of hot weather entertainment. A
few days since go chosen friends of Dir
and Mrs. Gardner received invitations to
attend what was apparently designed to be
an informal bicycle party. They were re-
quostcd to meet the host and hostess Mt
tho Grant monument in Lincoln pnrk
and follow tho lake shore northward to
Edgowatcr, whore Mr. GARDENERS hand
some homo Is located
Wheeling Is proverbially hungry work,
and whom tho guests reached tho homo of
~ hs1cH
Justice to generous repast, but they wero
allowed to sit for some time OH the broad
verandas and speculate upon the possible
cause of delay In serving the REFRESHMENTS
Ono by one each gentleman was privately
called inside. Tho women felt that they
understood this and that 1t was favor
able omen Of the approach of the rcpast.
There WIS, however, sufficient mystery
surrounding each movement to excite tho
curiosity rs we'll as the appetite of the
women.
At last their patience was rewarded by
tho welcome invitation TO "come into tho
dining ROOM" They obeyed the summons
with alncrity, only to find solitary light
burning dimly above u bare dining table
ION to tho buffers pantry" suggested
ono daring spirit who WAS acquainted with
tho tendency of tho hostess to give her
guests pleasant surprise.
This challenge WAS hastily taken up by
tho remainder of the party and quick
assault was made on tho "commissary
headquarters" of the house.
There second surprise awaited the for
ngers. for the outlay of lunch which they
had expected to find on tho broad shelf of
tho pantry was not to DO seen. Then tho
search began In earnest, for oil realized
that Gnirit N IN, hn otr
that they wero expected to hunt for their
refreshments. The advance guard saw
that tho cellar door was open and that
there was a light below. Followed by a
laughing company, he led tho way down
the stairs to the first landing. The mo-
ment this was reached II full view of the
long collar was commanded by the forag-
ing party.
From every lip came ordinations of
surprise and delight, for, instead of n bar
rem cellar, they saw Il bower of green, set
with candies and hung with Japanese Ian
terms. The transformation was complete,
and the guests found themselves in an
idenl German garden. The furnace was
completely smothered in green boughs
and tho heating pipes We're so thickly
twincd with evcrgrcens that not an inch
of their surface was visible. Tho cement
floor was covered with thick coat of
fresh, sweet smelling sawdust, and small
evergreen trees were set at convenient in
tcrvals.
No portion Of the cellar, however, had
undergone moro radical change thnn the
coal bins. These had been first swept and
garnishcd and thon transformed into gar
den stalls. Their walls wero covered with
evergrecns, and the front Of each booth was
draped with fresh lace curtains.
AT ono end Of the long room was an i'm
provised bar festooned with chains OF
"wiencrwursts. " bolognas, garlic and 9TH
err typical German edibles, while on the
big snwkorsc near the embowcred furnace,
was IL key of beer. Tho bar was loaded
with kettle of steaming rcdhots, with
saucrkraut, caviare sandwiches, schweitz-
erknse, limburger, picked pigs feet and
stacks of rye bread
Mr.. Gardner and C. G. Wheeler, his
brother in law, were arrnyed in long whito
aprons and carried napkins upon their
arms. In order To make their resemblance
| to the typical German waiter moro nearly
complete their hair was carefully plastercd
down upon their foreheatls and parted MT
tho back of their heads. These men at
tended to the liquid refreshments, while
their wives. who were prcttily costumed
ms German mattresses, served tho guests
with food from the counter and the steam
ingqicttle of redhots.
Three tined steel forks with wood han
dies and knives of the Same materials were
USED, and every accessory of the small
round tables was In perfect harmony with
the general garden effect. The only fea-
lures which We're ut variance with tho tx