The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-10
am like the unfortunate young
woman who for years con-
cealed in her bosom the ter
rible. fact that she did not think
EIsIhhn Gilni.a fnnn,, - a N doh1i.
lfa1ls1 !
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-
i tG22 John Gilpin funny debu-
tante was overheard saying to a friend. Q
Il guest at her coming-out tea" She con.
fessed her guilty secret In an unguarded
moment to James Payn, the novelist, and
was promptly comforted by the assur-
ance that. for his part, he had always
found II dull. Now. don't think after
noon affairs the most hilarious functions
IN the world. and II you agree with me.
do say So"
Despite the fact that the average debu-
tante prefers ball to crush tea as the
medium OF launching her upon the so.
cial seas, the tea is now the more correct
function. n
The crush tea admits OF more or less
acrimonious and elaborate arrangements,
according to the fancy OF the entertainer,
but It does not demand the pomp and
circumstance OF bail. for which the In.
vitations may number from one hundred
TO one thousand, and a ehandsomes ball
room is essential Nor is It likely ito be
SO successful as a ball. particularly Il
blushtng one and Twenty. in the person
OF the debutanto, happens to be con.
strained and subdued. Still, It's tho thing,
and here's the etiquette OF it,,
The hostess who stands Just within the
room to greet her friends. with her
daughter beside her. introduces her to
each approaching guest with the simple
formula, Mrs. -- allow mo to pre-
she employs some slight variation Of tho
words which always present tho daugh-
ter not the guest.
Tho debutante, unfortunately. must
stand beside her mother all the time, as
no sooner have the guests stopped ar
irving than thayss begin to go. and she
must be at her. post to wish them Sadieu.
A. -5ot.,, 4. 49,
elder unmarried sisters OF the bud mako
ceremonious calls. or leave their cards
with those OF father and brothers. for all
acquaintance whom they propose to in.
vito to be present at the debut. Invita-
tions should include the sons OF all
friends OF the hostess, and often an In:
innate friend, knowing certain young
men for whom che can youch. will ask
for Invitations tor them. v 81
About ten days before the event, en-.
grayed Invitations are sent out. Tho best
form for these Invitations Is ns follows;
Mrs. Diedrich Knlckerbooker,
Miss Knlckerbpc ia
At Home,
Thursday afternoon, November nne-
tenth, from four until seven % clock. II
Pleasant Avenue
It is q most undesirable and unfortu-
nate thing for a Girl to lave. any enemies
dAaoo w p1lSaSo VA Lo9 SSS<Aol0A VI l|Gl
debut There Is no excuse for leaving
any one out OF comlng-out entertain
ment. therefore. the invitation list should
be made out most carefully, and special
pains taken not to forget any distant
family relatives or connections and old
friends, It Is curious fact that no mat
ter how far away people live, and how
utterly impossible It is tor them to at.
tand your tea, they will feel very much
fnr 10
them out.
Any friends or acquaintance who have
failed to fulfil their social obligations
may be omitted from the invitation list,
A story Is told OF q guest OF one Of the
old beaux Of society in New York who
received his Waterloo at the hands Of a
debntante Of 1001-a, he has for years
been prominent figure at every social
function He can tell q funny story, and
every time without blunder. His care
fcay graduated greetings run from waist,
bend to nod, and finally his smile OF ap-
proyal Ia more to q debutante than
American Beauties from another fellow,
It remained for the daring debutante
to make him out fatted calf-rand then
to kill him, AS the story goes. her moth
and he had eaten them with much relish,
but without later paying his dinner call.
AS a result. when the coming-out bali
was given, the ''onliest-only' had no
chance to "reply II you please" a
That did not trouble him, however, for
he was certain tho Invitation had been
lost In the mails. sgs
The night OF the bp'l came. K The re-
ceiying line had been slightly broken
but Che debutahte still kept her place
1.ls room was crowded. The man at the
door announced q name. It was the old
beau. an looked his way. He fentsrfd
asllysrinS On oil sides his whole stock Of