The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-30
SOCIAL and PERSONAL
Society Brilliantly Represented at
the Abb Tea.
The President and Mrs. Mckinley
spent the Day QuietIy-CoIumbia
Students Dance mt the CairO-Other
Dances and Home Wedding
Washington Anglers Dinner.


belong by right of custom to the members
Of the Alibi Club. who observed their I'M
written law of chivalry and good cheer by
celebrating the holiday with their annual
tea. Their unique and altogether delight
ful clubhouse was the centre of attrac-
ton throughout the receiving hours for
diplomats. distinguished officials, and rep
resentatives of prominent residential fam
ilies-a social combination that can be
duplicated nowhere else in this country,
and which serves 10 make the National
Capital one of the most captivating cities
in the world. The guests were welcomed
by Mrs. Simpkins and Mrs. John Poor. as
sisted by a coterie of attractive maidens in
pretty gowns, the daughters of the mem-
original in its appointments that floral
decorations would lose their charm in con-
trast, and for that reason no flowers were
in evidence other than a vase of blossoms
on the table tina: stood in the Spanish card
room. where tea and other light refresh
ments were served
The walls of the card room are embef-
lishea with the polished horns of cattle
draperies in vivid gold and scarlet, and
queer curios that have been collected by
travellers throughout the land of the pic
iuresQue Don; and, indeed, every nook and
corner of the wonderful realm of Alib
land suggests the fancy that its world
travelled members have picked up the most
curious souvenirs they could find in their
wanderings and brought them home in the
same spirit that a maggie dccorates its
nest. From the card room the guests wan
dered into the adjoining farm which
was shaded by trees and made realistic by
a rustic well, clothes line with a re-
markable display of washing" and a
stuffed goat browsing under palm.
In the kitchen 4 huge bowl was filed
with claret punch. 1t was wonderful
kitchen. with every sign abou; it Of pros
perity and good cheer.
A ham covered with yellow canvas hung
from the rafters near a string of silyery
skinned onions and a brace of game was
suspended before a dresser, in which blue
and white platters were ranged IN a pol
ished row. Shining tankards of pewter.
tin plates, saucepans. and comfor able fat
jugs were placed on the chimney piece and
about the shelves that lined the walls, and
nothing could have been cheerier than the
big black stove. Throughout the various
rooms and in the narrow halls were photo
graphs of the famous men who have been
guests OF the club, quaint Dutch pitchers
of colored china, tablets. antlers. poster
pictures, and bric-a-brac without name.
A. truly remarkable addition to the
clubs treasure house since last years
tea was contributed last summer by Mr..
Frank Moss They are green imps ca
rousing on the red background of the par
Tor doors. On the first. three jewellers are
making spectacular efforts to get posses
sion of the flowing bumper which the tri
umphant possessor is holding tantaliZing
ly out of their reach The second door
shows couple of rakish imps. one look
ing through his opera glass and the other
tossing a bouquet TO an impess in ballet
skirts, who is being swirled around by
grand opera Mephistopheles in regulation
red The artist deserved all the compli-
ments he received for his work--if only
for the hilarious contrast his imps afford
to their moody brothers. the blue devils
whom We all have heard about and
some of us have seen. The study of the
wonderful tumble OF things beautiful,
rare. costly. and ridiculous was so inter-
esting that the dial hand on the kitchen
frying pan pointed TO . before the last
guests had said goodbye.
President. Mckinley has always mani
Tested strong preference for a quiet OBJ
seryance of Thanksgiving and Christmas
the holidays which are generally re-
garded as constituting the especial occa-
sion for family festivals in all households.
Ever since he became an occupant of the
White House the President has adhered
TO his rule for a modest observance of
these days of happiness. and no departure
was made from the custom yesterday.
The grief of the Chief Executive and his
wife over the sudden death of Mrs. Mc-
kinleys nephew, James s. Barber, L. S.
n. would. OF course. preclude the posi-
bility of their participation in any social
event on that date, but even prior to the
receipt of the sad news none was planned,
although in the light Of recent events 1t
would seem as though the President and
the mistress of the White House might
have been pardoned a little extra COM
memoration of this particular Thanksgiv-
ing.
The ladies of the Rhode Island" 1887
Rhode Island Avenue. gave an informal
dance Wednesday evening. The guests
were received in the parlor by Miss C. NJ.
Sia5g. Miss Helen Drake, and Miss Essie
Cn.mberlin. Refreshments were served
during the intermlssion. Among those
present were Miss Carrie N. Stagg. Miss
Helen Drake. Miss Essie Chamberlin. Miss
Mae Bemple, Miss Louise Hemple. Miss
Aisqui,h Miss Alice Drake, Miss Kathern
", BIB, Miss Anna Fcndall, Miss Richards
Miss A. Doraaci MISS y. a. Heiieln. Mrs.
J. Schafcr, MRS. hutehihs, MIS- stage
Mrs. Drake, Mrs. lerreii, MIS- N Coplon,
Mrs. WEBSTER, MIS- SiiiThc' bliss ). I.
webster. MISS trossWaite' MISS NeIiie
Lee. Miss y. Fealy, Miss s. Mccoy, Miss
Baker. Mss LatiiHcf, MISS Speare; MI
+. II. Barbarin, Mr.. +. I. Van Ness. Mr..
p. II. Stagg, MI. W. W. wilkinson. Mr..
NJ. c. Mills, Lieutenant HERON, captain
Castro, Lieutenant Hodges, Mr.. II. Guth-