Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-04
The 1904 PORCH GIRL
Holds Her Court Amid Flow.
ers and Vines.
OTHER LITTLE EXTRAS
PREPARES A BACKGROUND FOR
HER GOOD TIMES.
Making Man Comfortable With
Easy Chairs and Cooling
Draughts.
OTHER LITTLE EXTRAS
Written for The Evening Star.

Probably no one will get more enjoyment
out of the summer than the new feminine
type known as the Porch Girl.
From early summer until late, in the fall
she holds sway on the piazza, and many
human fly will be caught in the mesh OF
the web which her busy fingers spins.
While her sisters are off at the seashore
or inland resorts sweltering in stu:fy rooms
at night, and trying to keep cool by day.
the Porch Girl is the picture of serenity on
the broad piazza where she reigns.
Whether she lives in country bungalow,
a seaside cottage. or remains at home, as 1t
| is fast growing the fashion to do, the Porch
Girl makes the most of her opportunities
Jump from the frying pan into the fire?
| Not IT. she says emphatically. when allur-
| ing invitations come from some one rusti-
ca ting at farm house or seaside board-
| ing house. With all her other accomplish
ments the Porch Girl is a philosopher
| She begins early in the season to make
| her plans, and after taking an inventory
| os her points of vantage she sits down to
ponder. Sometimes her calculations show
| limited possibilities, especially where there
| Is only one porch on the sunny side of the
| house. and that is small one. but trust
| her to be equal to such emergencies.
! Whether the porch is broad or narrow or
| OF limited proportions. is secondary con-
| sideration. The chief thing is to see that
| vines are planted that will cover the porch,
| and thus make retreat for those who ex-
| pect to live there. For such results Moth
| ing is surer or more attractive than the
| thrifty and beautiful clematis jackmanii
| with it's purpled petaled bloSS pms and rich
green leaves.
| Virginia creepers, wistarias cinnamon
| vines, trumpet creepers, morning glories
| honeysuckles and climbing roses are all
| favorites. Nothing could be more attrac-
| tive than porch bower of crimson rambler
| roses. which spread rapidly, and present
| vivid masses of coloring.
| Takes Time.
| If quick growing vines must be selected
because of lack of forethought, the Porch
Girl must DO penance by nursing them with
| extra care, / in few weeks she will
| be rewardsc seeing results which will
| crafty her exceedingly.
In any event she uses wire netting at one
| side or end, and in this she cuts out dia-
| mond or circular-shaped window, around
| which she trains her vines. She is thus
| secluded from the public gaze, but can see
out Of her leafy bower and feel herself in
| touch with the passers-by.
| If space admits of the luxury, she has
| number of hanging baskets suspended
! about the porch. In these she plants bright
! colored ivy leaved geraniums and her ia
vorte hanging vines. Her ingenuity can
be exercised as to the receptacles for her
| plants if she has the inclination. For ex-
ample, Japanese ginger jars or Indian pot
terry bowls may be used for the purpose,
and inserted in green raffia cases, by the
stems of which they are also suspended.
Across one corner of the porch the ham
mock is placed, and, If there is room, one
| or two others. These are chosen with an
| eye to their strength and color, for they
are part of the furnishing. A comfortable
willow steamer chair, a willowy rocker and
a couple of small willow chairs are needed,
but the favordte seats are the porch
cushions, plentiful supply of which should
be piled In, one corner of the veranda.
Green Looks Cool.
good substantial rug is counted as one
| of the necessities, and this in all probability
Is green, because this color suggests the
quiet, cool tones of the forest One with a
pattern of fern leaves is a delight to those
who tread upon it. This should be fastened
at the corners with large brass thumb
tacks, which are quickly removed and re-
placed Smaller rugs may be an addition
If the porch is large.
If the chairs and hammock take I'D too
| much room they can be dispensed with
much easier than box couch with COM
Portable springs and multitude of down
cushions Even on hot days light slum-
Der robe on the foot of the couch will not
always come amiSS
A travelling library must be had, by all
means, and this should stand within reach
of the COUCH where all the new books and
magazines can be had If desired.
But the strongest ally of the Porch Girl
and the one which insures her the greatest
popularity, is the tea table. This stands in
a corner where it is not in the way and
yet where it can be wheeled out at a mo-
| ment's notice when the unexpected caller
arrives
Among the important equipments of this
table are the chatting dish and brass tea
kettle, both of which do duty not only as
ornaments. but in preparing the edibles for
the palatableness of which the Porch Girl
is famous among her friends
She's Hospitable.
This hospitable girl affects all the home
| ly domestic graces, and 1T is joy to see
her brew and serve cup of tea. The lit
tie ice chest beside the table always holds
a lemon to serve the tea a la Russian,
| some fruit, fruit juices and big jar of ice
| water. In short, the ice chest is a soda
fountain on a small scale, and If cold
drinks are preferred to hot the Porch Girl
prepares them quite as readily.
new arrangement for serving refresh
ments on the piazza will delight the girl
| who is planning for porch outing 1t is
called a muffin stand, and is little will
low-lfke table, painted green, with three
| compartments or shelves for holding food.
The new tea barrow, too, which looks
like babys go-cart, is built on the same
plan. 1t has plate glass door on the top
for the tea service and place inside for
the cups and saucers.
Dainty doilies and napkins of linen or
paper are kept in plentiful supply, and for
special occasions floral ice cases and cups
| made of tissue papers are brought into
requisition.
A Music Box Will Do.
The Porch Girl is not a bit averse to ac-
companying snatches of songs on the gui-
tar When she is not musically inclined,
behind a mass of palms in corner the
Porch Girl keeps Swiss music box, which
is often a diversion when the crowds weary
of gossip and tea, and when the long even
ings wane. Except on occasions only the
moonlight illumines the piazza, but when
more light is desired Japanese lanterns are
used.
The gowns of the Porch Girl are marvels
of simplicity and daintiness. White, pale
blue, pink, yellow and lavender dimities
and muslns are her favorites. Nearly all
of these are made collarless and show
the neck. Others have lace Jokes which
are so transparent that they show the
shoulders
The smiles and establishments of the
Porch Girl not only reserved for the
SWANS and maidens who loiter at this
trySting place buf are freely given m ha