The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-07-16
AL FRISCO TABLEAUx.
Pretty and EASILY Arranged Country
House Entertainments.

House Entertainments.
As the summer advances and house par
ties are in full swing. out-of-door enter
tainments make up the seasons functions.
For the hostess who delights in special
diversions in which jollity is combined
with but little expense, the alfresco tab
leaux form an important feature. These
charming affairs need only the arranging
of a few old buds taken from a country
garnet, where odds and ends are kept, that
can be gathered up for the occasion need
ed
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
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 on the grass.
To make things run smoothly the arti
cles to be used for the scenery of these
simple affairs should be grouped together
and so marked that no confusion will fol-
low 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 pic
lures.
In the following examples is shown
what can be done with simple household
appointments:
In the centre of 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 II in at
titudes of rest. Their costumes should be
that of farmer lads and lassies. The wo-
men look well in short skirts tucked up
over bright petticoats, on their heads sun
bonnets, and a handkerchief tied loosely
around their necks. For the men, the bet
ter the working garb, the better the pict
ure Seven or eight people are all that is
necessary for this scene. One man can be
pouring water from pitcher for the girl
beside him; another lying at the feet OF
his companion. If given on a lawn, 4
clump of trees forms fine background.
For this tableau the cotton sheet does
duty as Grecian drapery, each one artis-
tically hung on the four or five young girls
taking part In their hands should be
small antique lamps and on their shoul-
| ders tall thin vases can be held so as to
form a picture. In fact, their attitudes
may be copied from any scenes found in
books on ancient Greece, or left TO the i'm
| agination or inclination of the people con-
cerned.
BY few draperies for a background, the
effect OF a room can be gained. Near the
centre place a tall easel, on which rests a
picture frame Through this is a pretty
| face looking out, which is done by 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 Kneel-
ing in front of the easel is a little girl,
while close TO the picture is a sturdy boy,
who paints on the face a mustache. 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. Sentimental scenes can be de-
picted. provided the hostess is a woman
who studies effects and groups with an ar
lists eye.