Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-16
SOME ALrRnsco rABLBAux.
rrctty and Easily Arranged Country
uousc Entcrtninm ment.

AS the summer advances and house parties
are IN full swing out Of door entertainments
make up the seasons functions For the
hostess who delights in special diversions In
which jollty is combined with but little ex-
pense the Alfresco tableaux forms an Inn
pottant feature. These charming affairs need
only the arranging Of few old duds taken
from country garret, where odds and ends
are kept, that can be gathered up for the
occasion needed.
In giving tableaux in the open air the time
selected should be evening, when the stars
lend their presence to the scene, and on
nights when there Is an absence OF moon
light. The place appointed for the setting
may be on an even part of the lawn, directly
in front of the house, or they can be given
on the porch, while the audience is seated
on the grass.
To make things run smoothly the articles
used for the scenery of these simple affairs
should be grouped together, and so marked
that no confusion will follow. Two young
men, or even one, can be the property man
of the occasion, besides controlling the red
and green fire which acts as power for
these entertaining pictures.
In the following examples is shown what
can be done with simple household appoint
.ments
The Haymakers--In the center OF large
space a stump of a big tree can be covered
with grass or hay, which serves as table for
a pail of water. About this are grouped sew
eral young men and young women, as If in
attitudes of rest. Their costumes should be
that of farmer lads and lassies. The women
look well in short skirts tucked up over
bright petticoats, on their heads sunbonnets
and a handkerchief tied loosely around their
h., th, hot ttnt : thp IL yinsy
earb the better the picture, Seven or eight
people are all that is necessary for this scene.
One man can be pouring water from a pitcher
for the girl beside him; another lying at the
feet of his companion. If given on a lawn,
a clump of trees forms a fine background.
The Nestal Nirgins-For this tabeau the
cotton sheet does duty as a Grecian drapery,
each one artistcally hung on the four or five
young girls taking part. In their hands
should be small antique lamps, and on their
shoulders tall thin vases can be held so as to
form picture. In fact, their attitudes may
be copied from any scene found in books on
ancient Greece or left to the imagination or
inclination of the people concerned.
while the Cats Away, the Mice Will
Play'-By a few draperies for back
ground the effect of a room can be gained
Near the center place tall easel, on which
rests a picture frame. Through this is a
pretty face looking out, which is done by a
young girl kneelng behind the easel and
whose figure is completely covered up by
the drapery at the back, hung there for the
purpose. Near the picture stands girl on
whose face is half amused air. Kneeling
in front of the easel is a little girl, while
close to the picture is a sturdy boy, who
paints on the face a moustache, one half
of which is already done. While the boy
is in the act OF putting the finishing touches
to the other half the signal is sounded and
the tableau Is on view.
These simple tableauX may be copied from
pictures found in any periodical of the day