The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-21
Agreeable Little Dinners.


~ INNER GIVING. like matrimony,
should not be entered upon light
ly, unadvisedly or ignorantly. The
- art Is acquired; 1t is the result
OF thought, care and study, and
let no woman count herself an accom-
plished hostess or socially important I'M
less she knows how to give pretty
little dinner.
There is. Of course the big dinner.
That, however, is oftenest question OF
many servants, many courses and many
wines, and Is beyond the grasp or the
desire Of nine women out of ten. Its
problems / shall discuss later and else
where. The little dinner Is the situation
that confronts the greater number, and
there Is as much taste, as much inteli-
gence and as much knowledge to be dis
played in the giving of dinner OF four
covers as In one OF fourteen.
Don't forget this. and don't forget.
friends satisfactorily Is q power In the
land; she Is also of infinite assistance to
her husband in his career.
intend the last remark to be regarded
very seriously. There are wonderland
more Is the pity-who don't realize what
an immense deal 1t means to a man to
bring home his important business ac-
quaintance and dine him well; so well,
In fact. that the business acquaintance
goes away In such a physical and mental
good humor that he not only Is willing
but eager to please the husband Of the
woman who entertained him so delight
fully.
When the Opportunity Comes.
am willing to vouch for the truth OF
the assertion that the expert dinner host
ess Is made not born. When, therefore,
your first opportunity arrives for dinner
giving, remember this comforting fact.
Now. II Robert wishes to bring home
his really valuable client. and wonders
wistfully II you cannot get up some cosy
sort of little meal don't throw cold
water on the scheme.
1t may be true that there Is but one
servant to wait on table; that your ex-
perience Is neither wide nor deep and
that your table service does not include
the requisite number Of dozens for many
courses. Zeal and the observance Of al
the good rules will carry you thru, and
victory and fame Will perch upon your
banners.
Do not make tho highly uncompliment-
airy mistake Of offering your guest "pot
luck as your only solution OF the situa.
ton.
Even II you have only twenty-foul
hours notice. make special preparations
display your best of everything. and ash
In an agreeable outsider to met the guest
to whom you wish to show particular hon
or.
In case the client Is unmarried. and al
least not an Anticipated person, balance
him at the table with some nice, youngisf
woman. You might prefer, for your own
pleasure, to ask In your maiden aunt, OF
the long haired musical genius who lives
down the street and plays the violin quite
marvelously. You must not consult your
own pleasure. Remember. you are strty-
ing to please others-to be agreeable.
Consider first, last, and always. the
probable preferences Of your guests.
Strive to get together the persons be
tween whom you have reason to believs
congenial tastes and temperaments exist
And. believe me. If your guest Of homo,
is in the least a cheerful. and impression
able man. he will enjoy himself none tn,
less. and find your roast all the more saw
Dry, because his vis-a-vis Is an attractiv,
vision In white chiffon, who his brigh
eyes and gay laugh for his jokes ant
stories.
Finally, don't have too many Of you
own family at the table. Your old bach
elor uncle and grandma, and Jacky, tn
10-year-o boy. may be very dear and in
teresttng to you. but they may also be tire
\ some and embarrassing to your guest
/. who relishes variety in the mental re
freshments offered him quite as much a
In the food you set before him.
have seen many an otherwise we'll
/ planned little dinner spoiled because tn