The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-29


must be admitted that il is only prac-
ticed on rare occasions.
Some of the things that happen at In
annapolis parties are merely amusing and
nothing more. One of the funny miN-ups
OF the present season occurred during the
winter at a theater party given by a
member of a small club The club is one
of the numerous luncheon clubs which ex-
list for the purpose OF having "A real party
every week or two, and the fact that its
members all like good things TO eat makes
the denouement the funner. The member
of the club who was giving the party, de-
clded as a special treat to entertain the
club with theater party and later 10 have
little supper in the cafe. She bought two
boxes for the play. asked her guests. and
when they We're assembled, just before go
ing into the theater she mentioned that
after the play there WAS TO be a little
supper in the cafe. The play
one OF the excellent things of the season,
the box party was animated and seemed to
be enjoying itself To the height of it's abil-
lty, and the hostess. who loves TO entertain
glowed with the thought of how her guests
enjoyed the party. and also with the
thought of the good time they would have
aIterWaId AT the llttle supper The cur
tain had hardly fallen before one of the
members OF the party made a remark
about the lateness of the hour and her car.
But you viii come into the cafe and
have little something to eat?" said the
hostess in a foregone-conclusion-ki nd-of
tone
"Oh. no; thank you so much-you have
done quite enough for us this evening. The
theater was perfect" answered the guest.
Unhappily il CHANGED that the guest OF
whom the question had been asked had
been very late in arriving at the theater
and had not heard the hosIess's little ante
curtain speech. She did not know that a
supper had been arranged. and she declined
what size thought merely casual in
vitation. The other guests heard the ques-
ton and the response. They had heard tho
previous invitation, but, womanlixe. they
fell in line.
"Oh. no. thank you. really. Mrs Blank
We've had a perfectly lovely time and you
| n mi MYTH ale f..r-
us was the answer given I'm various tones
and forms One guest did admit that she
would have glass Of water. but she could
not be prevailed upon 10 go any further.
Now Mrs. Blank is game. The average
woman would have gone to pieces and
claimed: We'll you've just got to come
out in the cafe and eat-I have my supper
all ready for you" But not Mrs. Blank
She had given her invitation clearly once.
and she did not feel that she could lasso
her guests and drag them 10 the table She
accepted each refusal with the smile and
the murmured word of regret of the we'll
bred hostess When everybody was gone
she went to the cafe. There was her long
table with its center bouquet of pink roses.
and somewhere about the cafe she knew
were her particular salads and sandwiches
ali gone TO waste.
There were explanations later on. Tho
facts of the matter leaked out and the
women who were the guests bewailed the
loss of those sandwiches and salads. Its
your own fault said Mrs. Blank, unfeel-
| ingly. They were there for you 10 eat
and it will be long time before / give you
the chance at them again"
Sometimes it is the servants that furnish
food for post-party comment. One hostess
was covered with modification over the
donGs of her maid at a luncheon given
last winter, but as the guests ha6 the
good sense to take the thing happily. the
hostess cheered up toe. and joined I'm the
laugh. The hostess was rather recent
1 hafA. nd no
first things she had attempted in the way
of entertaining her friends after her mar
riage. 1t was a small luncheon-only eight
or nine guests-and she had engaged A
single waiter to look after the serving on
the morning Of the day set she received "A
message that William had sprained bis
ankle and could not come. and as William
himself sent no message in regard To a
substitute, and as Mrs. Bride has not
an extensive acquaintance with walters,
she was forced to press Rosa. her pretty.
Drlght-eyed maid. into service-ROSa,
like Barkis, is willin but she is not that
ideal waitress with the blank countenancs
ana the dumb tongue. who figures In tho
columns or advice 10 young home makers.
Instead, Rosa Is painfully alert, and when
Mrs Bride entertained one or two friends
even informally at luncheon or dinner, her
interest In the conversation is apt 90 be-
COM EMBARRASSING MIS-. Bride Spent most
or the morning impresSing upon Rosa prop
or Oblivi0usness of effect. and incidentally
the routine to be observed In her serving.
When the hour for the luncheon came. she
felt reasonably assured OF Rosa ) success
in the role OF waitress. But she had count
ed without Mrs Smythe- Mrs Smythe.
who was one of the guests, IS one OF these
sparkling. vivacious women whose thoughts
quick chain lightning. whose droll-
cry is irresistible, and Mrs. Smythe hap
pened on this occasion 10 be in her gayest
mood She kept the tableful of women
i'm a constant gurgle OF delight. and even
Mrs Bride forgot she was a hostess and
yielded herself 10 the infectious gayety
Presently. however, she caught sight OF
Rosa face. Rosa had forgot, too, that
she playing the part OF the automaton
waitress forgot that IL was time TO change
the plates, forgot everything save Mrs
Smythe. and her pretty mouth widened in
smile. and her laugh rang out with that
of the women at the table. Mrs Bride
tried 10 catch her eye, but the eye OF Rosa
both eyes in fact-were riveted apon Mrs
Smythe. Mrs. Bride ventured a little
cough, but the ears OF Rosa We're deaf TO
anything but Mrs Smythe's voice. Finally
in defiance of all propriety. Mrs. Bride Was
forced into addressing her waitress.
Rosa"
Rosa started. In obedience to her mis-
tresss gesture she began TO clear away
the debris of the course. but her eyes were
still fixed upon the exhlarafing Mrs
Smythe. AS she reached Mrs Brides
chair. Rosa opened her mouth. and at the
same moment, after the mrth, there fell
about the table one of those sudden silen-
ces which always happening Say,
| Mrs. Bride amt that Mrs. Smythe the
funny one? Was she ever IN a show? Say.
I'd ruther listen 10 her than TO so to the