The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-17
4 IDEAS for dWo1nen


One of the cleverest schemes for be-
quilting the unwary time and dollar for
sweet charity's sake was called a Derby
Day fair, and was held q few days since
in the City of Brothcrly Love.
There was urgent need of some unique
bazaar in aid of an excellent institution
suffering from the general hard times"
A trio of gay girls who had spent a
year in London and were decidedly "up"
in customs and things English, put their
heads together and conceived one of the
years prettiest entertainments.
Tho invitations, which resembled the
programme of a country circus and which
were printed upon cheap paper with APP
propriate scare heads. explained the
scheme.
They read: "Take in the great fair!
Come see a portion of EPSON Downs
(ifteen miles from London) on the an
nual celebration of the Derby Dayr!'
And a very gay little Epson Downs it
proved. A line of booths bright with
striped awnings, a host of laughing visit
ors engaged in 5-eent sports peculiar to
the Derby Day. Young men and women,
who had volunteered their services as
aides, engaged in selling picked pigs
feet and other Derby Day wares.
But to get down to details. The ceiling
of the hall had been festooned with Brit
ish flag and stars and Stripes",in true
International style. The sawdust, several
inches thick upon the floor. was an in
novation which caught the popular eye.
The hall itself of generous length, was
further added to by a clever arrange
ment of scenery. loaned for the occasion
by an amateur theatrical company. This
scenery placed at the end of the room
farthest from the entrance, produced the
effect of an out-of-door vista lengthen-
ing out for miles.
The room upon either side was lined
with booths, which We're wonderfully real
istic, while at the same time delightfully."-
absurd. They had been constructed from
embryos. many and various, beginning
with an ordinary packing box and rang
ing upward in the scale.
Each booth was bright with flags and
bunting, and many had striped awnings
which added to the further gaiety of the
scene. In some of the booths opportun-
tiles of trying ones skill We're the attrae-
ton. Sambo's head to be downed by
clever throwing of rubber balls. Walk
ing sticks, to be ringed. Guessing the
number of seeds contained in certain
large fruits. These booths proved a phe-
nomenal money success. The highest fee
asked per trial was 10 cents, and the
usual rate much lower.
A Young woman, understanding palms.
try, was a drawing card, attired as for.
tune-teller in full mysterious array. One
of the booths sold 'sbath-buns'' and other
cakes eoncocted after English recipes.
The interior light of the hall would not
permit of a photographic parlor." But a
couple of the aides, who sketched well
and were quick to catch likenesses. did
great work in a picture taking establish
ment'' at so cents per sketch.
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Many of the aides appeared in full
coster dress. DERBY Day being the oe-
sasion of the year to the London coster-
monger, with his wife or his sweetheart.
The men wore long-tailed coats closely
strung with pearl buttons, etc. The
ladies had the world-renowned ~''coster
bunnits'' and SO on. Regent illustration
teens with the coster-monger and his
picturesque costume. Providing a dress
for the occasion was a simple matter of
copying faithfully one of these drawings.
At stated times during the progress
of the fair a euartette of male and fe-
male voices volunteered for the occasion
sang the coster songs introduced by AL
bert Chevalier-.Mrs. 'Enry 'Awkins,"
etc.
Another touch which added much to
the realism of the affair was the pro-
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baskets prettily bound with ribbon in
British American %colors, containing
delicious viands in daintiest style. One
dollar purchased a basket designed for
two people. Twoe dollars provided a
party of four. Four dollars a party of
eight.
As the viands had been donated by GER
tain rich patronesses, it was possible to
give a high priced lunch for a modest
sum. The menu was varied. 1t consist
ed of cold chicken or turkey, sandwiches.
rolls and butter, jellies, pastry, bottles
of lemonade, iced tea, milk. or root beer.
Comfortable seats in the sorenr of the
room were reserved for those guests
who awaited themselves of the lunch
basket hospitality.
The christmas reception of the infant
up-to-date is a. delightful little affair.
all members of the two families and
closest friends being hidden.
A Walnut street mamma celebrated
an suspicious occasion of the kind last
week in prettiest style.
The invitations issued were engraved
on rough dead white paper. Double en-
velopes being used, as for any important
occasion.
The form of invitation is as follows
Mr.. and Mrs. Josiah Browning request
the honor of your presence at the chris
tening of their son, Edward William.
on Wednesday, December the twenty
ninth, eighteen hundred and ninety
seven
Although no possible obligation exists,
1T has become customary to present the
newly-arrived citizen with some little
love token. When such are intended
they are forwarded by mail or messenger
q day or SO after the invitation arrives,
which is newer than carrying them one-
self.
At the christening Of which I spoke
the gifts were displayed to feminine eyes
In one of the upper roenas, precisely as
in the case of a bride.
What does his highness receive in the
line OF gifts? Well, don't imagine that
A.. 1.s =. .z:4- - - 49,