The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-10-23


| II Is generally admitted that enter
tainments at . country house are more
enjoyable than. those more formal par
ties given at city mansionss The great
advantage OF an entertainment at .
country home is that there is so much
space that guests may be left to their
own freedom to entertain themselves
at many times when this would be i'm
possible in the crowded limits of city
house. In country home one can have
outdoor parties, where refreshments
are served on the lawn or on large
piazza. No parties are more enjoyable.
Evening parties or simple afternoon
teas may be given in this way. For the
latter entertainment the menu should
not be an extensive one. though in the
country it may be more elaborate one
than the severely simple repast of tea
and waters which is so generally all
that is served at the elegant city houses.
An old-fashioned ''set down" tea served
as our grandmothers served this meal
is very popular women's entertain
ment in the country, and is in excellent
taste. 1t takes the place of the lunch
con party. When gentlemen are to be
included in the entertainment dinner
or an evening party should be decided
upon. The old invitation to make
yourself at home" had ring of genu-
Inc hospitality to commend it. Nothing
Is in worse taste or more distressing to
guest than too much attention. Try
to anticipate your guests needs when
ever it is possible to do so without their
being aware that you have done it. On
no account allow the wires of the house
hold machinery to be apparent. The
greatest compliment that hostess can
receive was given by guest who said
Of her hostess: "She managed to con-
duct the housekeeping so quietly by
continually fitting at stray moments
to and from the kitchen that we never
missed her, and never knew for q mo-
ment that the work was managed by
her and that she was encumbered with
a refractory, incapable servant" 1t
is such circumstances as this that test
the patience of the housekeeper and
bring out her ability. Nothing is in
worse taste than TO discuss household
servants. Domestics and diseases and
debts are certainly three subjects that
should be barred from social discus
sions. 1t is far better TO allow the con-
versation to flag than to introduce sub
jects so personal or so hackneyed |
There is a prejudice in every fair person
against hearing one side Of story. For
this reason, if for no other, mistress
should never discuss the shortcomings
of her maid, who cannot be present to
make defense.
Some of the prettiest entertainments
which occur among children in the
country are birthday parties. In sum
mer the rooms and the table at such
parties should be dressed with the flow
er Of the month. The following are the
flowers of the 12 months: February,
primrose; March, violets; April,
daisies; May, hawthorne or apple bios
SONS; June, roses; July, lilies, includ-
ing water lilies; August, peoples or
golden rod; September, asters; Oc-
tober, hops or autumn leaves; Novem-
ber, chrysanthemums; December, hol
y and evergreens. Cards painted with
flowers of the month are pretty SOU
renirs of the party, or there may be
hand painted candy boxes filed with
iainty bonbons. The cake containing
.andles, each representing year Of life,
s still feature Of the table at birthday
PARTIES. Gifts of a ring or some small
,iece of jewelry set with the stone dedi-
ated TO the month are always suitable
i little girls party.-N. Y. Tribune.