Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1897-12-06
THE HOUSE PARTY.
One of the Most Critical Tests of
Woman's Social Ability.

tYou won't mind sleeping on the
parlor sofa tonight, will you, dear?
You know some unexpected guests
have arrived, and need your room,
is one of the greetings received by
many weary men these summer even
ings.
No form Of entertainment is more
charming than the house party, and
Just now these affairs are quite the
fad
Not only in cottages by the sea, on
the lakes or in the mountains, but in
country houses near the city.
ITO give a successful house party is
an art, was said recently, ana the
hostess who can accomplish it is a
success"
To make people feel at home is the
great secret, and not do too much is
the first important factor.
The English understand this to per-
lection, and at house party iii Eng
land the guests take care of them
selves.
An old lady, who was very fastidious,
was pressed to remain to dinner the
other evening. Her hostess said:
''Do stay. l won't make company OF
you
"But I like to be made company of, )"
was the reply
This is the success of the house
party-to have everything lovely, but
to appear to make no effort.
In giving this kind of an entertain
ment. it is nice to have the house
furnished in ais cool a manner as pos
sible
Guests breathe freer when the
heavy curtains are drawn and the
dainty Swiss ruff1ed affairs that move
with each breath of wind are refresh
ing.
1t is better to dispense with too
much form and ceremony.
Long dinners are not necessary,
and if everything is we'll cooked and
inviting every one will be happy.
At a recent house party the guests
attributed much of the pleasure of the
week to the decoration on the dining
room table. In the center of the table
was connected with the large bowl on
which the ice rested A tube under
the table received the water. Ferns
and blossoms almost hid the ice.
In the fireplace another block of ice
was concealed by plants, and on the
ii 1Ad OF
mosphere. This is not expensive
wnen one considers all the cost of en-
tertaining.
Of course some kinds of amusement
must be provided for guests of a house
party.
Either one must own horses or have
tennis courts, or golf links, or a river
near where something can be done.
''You see the place. a host used to
say when house party arrived, 'now
make the best of it you can"
It is simple to lay out a tennis
links, and if near river few boats
will make every possible difference.
Prettily arranged hooks and corners
in the grounds or about the house ado
to the general good time. All the re-
cent magazines and newest books give
pleasure.
1t is well even in country house to
fix UP the porch in case CT rain.
To do this arrange boxes for plants
around the railing. Put in three
inches of charcoal for drainage, then a
thin layer of sod with the grass side
down. Bore four holes, two in each
end of the box, near the bottom to
avoid excessive moisture and plant
flowers.
Arrange easy chairs, hammock,
table or two, and some lanterns if de-
sired. The moon and stars are pre-
ferable.
Girls all love to find such places and
men, though they scott, some way or
other, can often be traced there too.
cone feels comfortable in such
places" am awkward man exclaimed,
''the vine curtains do not have to be
cleaned. The ornaments cannot be
moved if broken, and when you have
had pleasant, comfortable evening
you don't have to draw the blinds or
blow out the lights. Invisible servants
do it. They do not need to be told,
they forget nothing AND they ask no
wages. y Above all, in giving house
party one must never introduce any
personal worry or domestic trouble.
A girl recently returned from a house
party, said of her hostess:
''I guess she has her troubles with
servants, but NO one ever hears of it !"
Am to sleep in a real bed to-
night?" little boy was heard to ask
his mother in a boys whisper, and all
the guests laughed. Then each one
began to think of the apparently un-
conscious creature who seemed like
one of the guests, and yet who held the
reins of everything, and must think of
every little detail.
If one has horses and traps it adds
to house party to allow the guests to
hox o1o