The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-12-29
GOOD old
CUSTOM
DIED 25
YEARS AGO

Washington. Dec. 99-lt has beer
nearly a quarter of century since
the good Old custom Of making New
Years calls. wAieh vas so assiduousl,
follow ed for many years--indeed, II
was brought from Europe by The earl
settlers, ami was among the earlies
social institutions established in this
country-beean 10 so out Until thei
the aien OF the town OF every class
and station would don their eveninf
clothes shortly after breakfast an
start of on their rounl of visits
which were hardly finished before mic
night. FOR there was no need to &C
home 10 d4Raer
The tables Of those who kept ope
house. literally groane1 with good
things. The f-ivolons eatables this
are nos the fashion for daylight re
ceptions had not yet come in. an
what was offered was substantial
rich and telic ous, and that Il was ap
preciated was atiested by The fac
tnat the banquet board was bare whei
the hour 'or closing the reception ha
come. The able pread was usual
there w'ss invariably colossal han
at the other end a gigantic turkey
while between these noble roast
were plates OF all kinds. steaming ere
quettes. escailoped oysters. lerrapiI
If the purse OF iae entertainer permi
ted. and bowls OF delicious lobste
and chicken salad.
Pound Cake and Eggnoa
Cake was there, too, OF every va
riety; not the airy nothings of TO-DAY
but fruit cake, pound cake, cris
doughnuts ana flaky iumDles, an
ranged on the tables were decanter
OF sherry madeira, port and othe
things stronge-. AT a separate tabl
was a big bowl In It's wreath of eve
green, containing Whatever nike
drink the house was famous for. egf
nog and punch being the favorite bel
erages.
The women wore their most becon
ing gowns. looked their prettiest. AM
brought out store of their very hes
stories with which to entertain thei
guests. Sometimes music was fu-n
ished and dancing INDUCED in, anf
tne houses of the rich were invariabl,
handsomely decorated for the grea'
festival. II must not be supposed tha
only the fashionables, those wht
make up society, gave and attende
these receptions. The women Of al
circles kept open house. and all the
men, hign and low. rich and poo
went a-calling some of the latte
who never visited on any other da,
in the year would bring ont thei
clothes OF state ami start out on th
rounds OF a New Years morning.
a belle OF the late So ara earl
7os has an autograph in which sh,
had all OF her mothers guests writ,
one New Years day, and she now re
CARDS this book as one OF her yer,
choicest possessions. II contains III
names OF James G.. Blaine. Rosco.
Conkling. James A. Garfield. Genera
sherman. Schuyler Colfax, BENJAMIN
Butler, Lot H. Morrill,. Hannibal Ham
I'm, anti those OF many distinguishes
men VINO arc still living and still mai
ing history
Custom Was Abused
The abuse OF this pleasant. hosp,
table oil custom WAS the reason fol
dts tnai abolishment, As the city
grew, society became mere mixed ar
the unNritteh aw taat no gentlaman
should cali az house where he was
NOT known was lisregarded, .Hostes
ses were annoyed 10 have strangers
claim their hospitality and yct there
seemed TO be no remedy for this VIC,
lGinn OF etiquette. The strange cal
ler too. ha3 not nfrequently made
TOO many JOufueys To tne punch howl
and with such it was not aIways easy
tef a lady and her assistants 10 deaf
80 hhaiiy the custom died out. and