Read Ebook: Suppers: Novel Suggestions for Social Occasions by Pierce Paul

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Ebook has 451 lines and 25115 words, and 10 pages

A woman who lives in an apartment so tiny and modest it would seem at first glance almost impossible to entertain therein, can study its best effects and give as charming little dinners as were ever attended. Her dining room, small but cosy, seems made for decoration and her table may well be the delight of many a more ambitious hostess. The decorations, simple, inexpensive and artistic, are the outward and visible signs of her individual taste. No thick stalks of unbending and forbidding "bouquets" disfigure her pretty vases. Her candles gleam through dainty shades fashioned by her own deft fingers. Full-skirted and fluffy, their inexpensiveness makes it quite possible to have them of all colors and shades, and a much-prized pair of silver candelabra lend dignity to the general effect.

Quiet entertaining, preceded by gracious little notes presaging a cordial welcome, is one of her fancies, and one is quite sure that at her home the entertainment will be deprived of customary stiffness and will resolve into a merry table of congenial friends.

A short time ago an old friend of such a woman became engaged and wishing to meet his fiancee she followed her call by an invitation to supper. Appreciating the newness of the engagement and her slight acquaintance with the young lady, she wisely made it a little supper of four and decked her table with sweet simplicity.

Her china, of dainty Limoges, was purchased with an idea of being serviceable for many occasions, and is mostly in odd half-dozens, although the color scheme throughout is green and white, a combination which blends well with anything. Her soup plates, tea plates, dinner plates, platters and vegetable dishes are of the same pattern, but the china for the entree, the salad set, dessert set, cheese plates, bread and butter plates, etc., are all of a different but harmonizing design.

Green and white being always a lovely color for the table and also admitting of very inexpensive treatment, make informal suppers not only quite possible but very attractive as well.

The table was round, just large enough for four, and nearly covered with a pretty lunch cloth embroidered in white. In the center a huge butterfly bow of wide green ribbon that just matched the china trailed nearly to the edge of the table. Over the cloth were scattered white carnations and ferns in artistic carelessness, and two slender candlesticks, with generously green skirted candles, broke the flat effect. Each candlestick wore, with holiday gayness, a large green bow, and the soft combination of color and grouping was charming.

The supper itself was very simple. A course of raw oysters and stuffed mangoes, with the usual accompaniment of horseradish and lemon, came first. Quail on toast with quince jelly followed with stuffed potatoes as an accompaniment and a delicious little chestnut salad was next in order. The dessert was a rich chocolate cream, stiffened with gelatine and moulded round with a large hole in the center. This was filled high with thick cream, whipped, sweetened and flavored with maraschino. The bonbons, of green and white, added the last touch of harmonic color to the dainty little feast.

A LITTLE SUNDAY NIGHT SUPPER.

Shortly after this, encouraged by her success, she gave a little Sunday night supper to introduce two young people to each other. The table, as before, was round, but the colors used were yellow and white.

A large round tea cloth, fashioned by the hostess, covered the table. In the center five ragged yellow chrysanthemums were fastened together with a wide yellow ribbon and wired to a slender upright, which they entirely concealed. Just inside the circle formed by the plates, glasses, etc., a wavy circle of smilax trailed and ran out into little curves between the plates. Nothing more simple could be imagined, but the guests had a very appreciative look as they were seated. Getting acquainted under such conditions was a very natural and easy process.

The supper was simplicity itself, and consisted of a clam cocktail; frilled French chops with green peas; a rarebit made in the chafing-dish and a rich lemon ice for dessert. In connection there were, it is unnecessary to add, many delicious accompaniments. Brown bread sandwiches, thin as wafers, were passed with the cocktail. Bread accompanied the chops, the rarebit was served in a bank of cress, with lettuce and cress sandwiches, and the ice was made even more delicious by the addition of stuffed champagne wafers. A pleasant time in the host's den followed, and thus, a happy little evening, quite within the reach of anyone, was made possible by a little forethought.

The apartment in which this woman lives has only six rooms, so you can imagine that entertaining is somewhat out of the question, but very charming little "at homes" are given once a month during the winter, and as the parlor and den adjoin, and are cosily furnished to correspond, it is quite possible to entertain in this way.

If you attend her "Wednesdays" in December you will be ushered in by a neat little maid in frilled cap and apron and black sateen gown. You will find your hostess in the parlor with half-a-dozen others, and, think you have a glimpse into Japanese fairyland. The den is somewhat denuded of its ordinary furnishings, but the bizarre posters still remain on the walls, and the couch, covered with a scrawly Japanese creton, is still in evidence. Wires are stretched from picture moulding to picture moulding, and Japanese lanterns swing gayly from above. In one corner a huge paper umbrella, dangling with unlighted lanterns, bright hued and tiny, swings over a low tea table, at which sits one of the hostess' friends in Japanese array. Her dark eyes, blackened into almond-shaped slits, vie with her decorated hair in foreign effect. From dainty little Japanese cups we drink the tea she makes for us and thank fortune there is one woman in the world at least who dares trifle with the conventional "at home" and eliminate its objectionable features. While drinking your tea you nibble at rolled Tutti Fruitti wafers, munch delicious home-made bonbons, stuffed figs and nougat , revel in a huge Japanese jar which holds five great ragged yellow chrysanthemums with stems nearly three feet long, and finally settle yourself down to listen to some quaint little love song, with guitar accompaniment, sung by a dear little maid with bronze-brown hair.

This hostess limits each "at home" to twenty-five, so small a number it makes the average hostess smile, but, if necessary, gives four or five through the winter, as she needs no service beyond that of her own maid, making the expense marvelously small. She has many friends who feel as you do, that one bid to a sociable little "five o'clock" in her doll-house flat is worth all the receptions of a week on gay upper Fifth Avenue.

The first Saturday evening in each month, from November until April, she and her husband are at home to his bachelor friends and any young married people who can endure the suffocating atmosphere. All the easy chairs are pressed into service, the little iron lanterns blink joyously, and story-telling, music and smoking are the order of the evening. The light being dim, positions are uncertain and bachelor manners prevail, so unrestrained jollity reigns, and though the people in the other flats may hear the echoing laughter they pass it over with a good natured tolerance and wonder what there is that is so funny.

About half-past ten, when stories wane and a change seems desirable, the little low tea table appears and a rarebit, souffle of oysters, or some chafing-dish dainty, is prepared by the hostess. Occasionally, when one of the men has a firmly founded reputation for some special dish he is asked to officiate, which he does amid the joyous jokes of his roistering colleagues, while everyone within reach renders able assistance and the others keep up a running fire of disabling comments.

If one is willing to take advantage of their very present opportunities it seems to me that limited means lose half their disadvantages. Choose your apartment with a view to entertaining. If your bed-room opens from the parlor make it dainty and sweet and close the portieres until merely a glimpse appears.

Wax your hardwood floors and keep them shining like mirrors; if rugs are scarce they will be a good apology. Make your friends welcome and give them a good time when they come. An old-fashioned candy-pull is often more entertaining than the most elaborately prepared function.

A STAG SUPPER. 1.

In the main room have a mellow light from two or three swinging iron lanterns and several in Japanese paper. Off in one of the corners, have a cut-glass bowl filled with punch and around it a ring of smilax. The guests select their places by each choosing the name of one of six popular actresses. A silver tray containing six small blank envelopes is passed, and in each envelope is enclosed one of the host's cards, on the back of which is inscribed the name of an actress. Passing into the dining-room they find, at each place, a photo to correspond, on the back of which is written some well-known quotations from the actresses' most famous plays. These photos are removed from their original cards by soaking, and are rebuffed and mounted on rectangular mats of dull gray, on which the inscriptions are written in white ink.

In the dining room over the heavy damask cloth, is stretched a quaint old German table runner, reaching from end to end of the table. In the center, embroidered in the red cotton used in such work, hospitality encourages jollity in the familiar old motto, "Ein froher Gast is Niemand's Last" . "Wein, Weib und Geasang," the faithful trio, is all represented. At each place, beside the napkin, is a rich red rose, just large enough to form a dainty boutonniere.

Mounds of red pickled cabbage accompany the oysters, rich tomato soup follows, and the nougat ice cream is decorated with candied cherries.

The introduction of the bonbons in the form of candy cigars, tied in bunches with the familiar yellow bands, causes amusement. Brandy is burned on the coffee, and genuine cigars passed.

A STAG SUPPER. 2.

Turn the ballroom into a "roof garden" for a bachelor supper. Cover the walls with canvas or grey cartridge paper painted to imitate grey bricks with ivy leaves painted over the surface. In each window arrange a little hedge of plants in pots and use screens of wire covered with vines. Hang many colored lanterns from the roof and at intervals about the room between tables and have tall branching standards with arms from which hang the lanterns. Tall palms and bay-trees in tubs set about the room add to the effect. Have a hidden orchestra to play airs from the popular operas or have an impromptu vaudeville, the guests furnishing the talent. A band of Gypsy fortune-tellers admitted at the close of the feast will furnish fun, especially if they are men knowing the lives of the guests. Serve a beefsteak supper with any kind of beverages you choose. For name cards have steins cut from cardboard and decorated in imitation of the Mettlach steins.

A BACHELOR SUPPER.

Have small mice pins for souvenirs. Decorate the long table in green vines, white flowers and odd candle holders. Creeping in and out of the vines have artificial snakes, frogs, and other reptiles. Have the napkins held by toy spiders and fasten bats over the chandelier globes. If one wishes a plain dinner serve oyster cocktails, tenderloin steak with mushrooms, French fried potatoes, stewed corn, Lima beans, tomato and onion salad with mayonnaise, cheesestraws, Bavarian cream, peach cake, cheese, crackers, coffee. Pass cigars. Have colored waiters who are good singers and between each course have them give a jubilee song. After dinner let them entertain the guests with songs, and banjo and guitar music.

SUPPERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS--DANISH VALENTINE SUPPER--A HALLOWE'EN GHOST HUNT--A HALLOWE'EN SUPPER--HALLOWE'EN SUPPER MENUS--A PIE PARTY FOR THANKSGIVING SEASON--THE PIE SHELF--BIRTHDAY SUPPERS--BIRTHDAY PARTY.

In Denmark our well known snowdrop, one of the earliest messengers of spring, has been since olden days held sacred to St. Valentine.

On that auspicious eve the Danish lover sends his lady a bunch of snow-drops , , with a card attached bearing a verse or sentiment and as many pin pricks as there are letters in his name. If she cannot guess the name from this clew she is fooled , and at Easter must pay the sender a forfeit of colored eggs.

This quaint bit of folk-lore can be used in a novel Valentine supper.

The invitations, bearing a bunch of painted snow-drops in one corner, invite you to a "Danish Valentine supper."

At each place have a tiny heart-shaped cup of cherry crepe paper, holding a little bunch of snow-drops. The ices are in the shape of hearts with a candied cherry in the center of each. Heart-shaped cakes can be iced in pink, and mingled in the salad have tiny hearts cut from slices of red beef.

When all are assembled in the parlor give each guest a square white envelope enclosing a card having a knot of snow-drops in one corner with cherry ribbon, and containing a verse and numerous pin pricks. Each one must guess from these the name of his companion for supper.

Here are some of the verses, some of which are translations from the Danish.

"Though a child of winter's cold and storm, I bring to you love-greetings warm. From whom? Ah, yes! That shall you guess! And that you may the sender surely know, Count all the little pin-pricks signed below." .... ......

"Little maiden fair and neat, Here on stalk so light, Fine as silk by fairies spun, Hangs a snowdrop white; From a friend I come-- Tell me now--from whom?" .... .. ......

"Love's first kisses are the snow-drops, Ringing here like fairy bells; Let thy heart bend low and listen To the tale their music tells." ...... ......

"Sir Knight, wouldst know thy lady's name? These pin-pricks tell from whence I came." .... .. ......

"Love wove the snow-flakes in a flower To deck his lady's secret bower; With them my love I now confess-- Thy true knight's name I'd have thee guess." .... ......

"Farewell to winter! Now farewell-- We snow-bells rang his dying knell, And had you but a fine, fine ear, That could our fairy chiming hear, Then should you know which friend so true Has sent this vinter-gjaek to you: For ever softly do we sing The name of him whose love we bring." ........ .. ......

"Wouldst find the fair lady Fate chooses for you? Then search ye this line of wee pin-pricks clear through." .... ........

"For life, as for dinner, chance fixes our mate; These pin-pricks point you the way to your fate." ........ ..........

A HALLOWE'EN GHOST HUNT.

"FR THE GOBBLE-UNS'LL GIT YOU, EF YOU DON'T WATCH OUT."

Have the above words from James Whitcomb Riley's poem printed in large letters over the entrance, the door of which should open with a rattle of chains and a creaking. Ask each guest to wear a false face and a red or black domino. When all have assembled in the parlor, where lights are turned low, have a guide in red with a Mephisto make-up or a witch to instruct the party before it starts on the "ghost hunt." Not a word must be spoken no matter what the provocation, not a giggle must be heard, no one must turn his head or eyes, but look straight ahead. Have goblins in red with big eyes painted on their cotton masks, holding clubs, stationed along the route to watch offenders.

Take the party by a circuitous route, upstairs through dark rooms where open windows and doors make the air cold, up into the attic, lighted only by burning alcohol and salt, then down stairs, around the porches and about the yard. If there is an outside cellar-way, take them down that, otherwise inside the house to the cellar. All along the route have imitation "spooks" placed in corners and unexpected places--grinning Jack-o'lantern heads, with ghostly bodies, immense false faces with lights behind them, witches, grotesque animals including black cats, black bears, etc. From cobwebs of grey cotton or wool ropes suspend bats and spiders. Leave objects about for guests to stumble over and have as many terrifying noises as possible.

In a corner of the cellar, screened by canvas and guarded by fierce goblins, have the Great Chief Ghost and his secretary on a throne. Around the corner have a ring of ghosts manufactured from brooms with sheets and white cowls. The ghost hunters sit on the floor in silence for a few moments. Then the secretary, in terrible tones, calls the name of each guest and gives the list of his pet sins. The secretary should be a person with ready tongue and wit knowing jokes on each individual. When the secretary finishes each case, the Great Chief Ghost asks the defendant what he has to say for himself. If the latter plead his case successfully and solemnly swear that he is prepared to tell a ghost story if called upon, he is allowed to select his own punishment. If, however, he cannot clear himself, the Great Chief Ghost names his punishment. The sentences should be as ridiculous as possible.

The trip back from the cave should be as tantalizing as can be made. Viands should be offered and whisked away. The clever host and hostess can devise many tricks.

The Ghost Hunt should end in a brilliantly lighted dining room with table set for supper and time allowed just before midnight to try the familiar Hallowe'en charms. This party can be given by a club or church using a big house and grounds. Decorate the table in unique arrangement of pumpkins, fruits and candies and serve any preferred menu, or this one:

A HALLOWE'EN SUPPER.

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