The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-16
SOME ALFREsCO TABLEAUx.
Pretty and Easily Arranged Country
House Entertainment

As the summer advances and house mar
ties are in full swing, out-of-door enter
tlinments make up the seasons fun--
tons. For the hostess who delights IN
special diversions in which jolHty is COM
bined with but little expense, the Alfresco
tableauX forms an important feature
These charming affairs need only the 81.
ranging of a few old buds taken from a
country garnet. where odds and ends are
kept, that can be gathered up for the
occasion needed.
In giving tableaux i'm the open air the
time selected should be evening. when
the stars lend their presence TO the scene
and on nights where there is an absence
of moonlight. 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 or the grass.
To make things run smoothly. the arti
c,es used for the scenery of these sinols
affairs should be grouped together aud
50 marked that no confusion will follow
Two young men, or even one, can be the
property man of the occasion, besides con-
trolling the red and green fire which acts
as a power for these entertaining pic
lures.
In the following examples is shown
what can be done with simple household
appointments:
The Haymakers.-In the center of a
large space a stump of a big tree can be
covered with grass or hay, which serves
as a table for a pail of water. About this
| are grouped several young men and young
women, as if in attitudes of rest Their
costumes should be that of farmer lads
| and lassies The women look we'll in
short skirts tucked up over bright petit
coats, on their heads sun-bonnets. and a
handkerchief tied loosely around their
necks For the men, the better the work
| ing garb, the better the picture. Seven
or eight people is 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 COM
! panion. If gwen on a lawn, a clump Of
| trees forms a fine background.
| The Nestal Nirgins.-For this tableau the
| cotton sheet does duty as Grecian drap-
cry, each one artisticaly 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 he
! held so as to form a 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 Win
! Play."-By a few draperies for a back
| ground, the effect of a room can be gained
| Near the center place a tail easel en-
| which rests a picture frame. Through this
is a pretty face looking out, which is done
| by a young girl kneeling 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 a
| girl on whose face is a half-amused air
| Kneeling in front of the easel is a litIa
! girl. while close 10 the picture is a sturdy
/ boy. who paints on the fact a moustache
| one-half of which is already done While
! the boy is in the act of putting the finish
! ing touches to the other half, the signal is
| sounded and the tableau is on view.
| These simple tabeaux may be copied
! from pictures found in any periodical Of
| the day. Sentimental scenes can be de-
! picted, provided the hostess is a woman
who studies effects and groups with an ar
| lists eye.