Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 February 1912 — The HOME DEPARTMENT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The HOME DEPARTMENT

REPLIES TO QUERIES

HINTB AND ADVICE ON ALL KINDS OF SOCIAL FORMB. Mme. Merri, Most Noted Authority on Buch Subjects, Also Furnishes Helping Ideas for Varieties of Home Entertainments. , I want your advice —and hope I don’t ask too many questions of you. Will you suggest a buffet supper for a simple home wedding? Does the bridegroom furnish the flowers for the bride and her maid? What floral decorations, and what flpwer for the bride’s bouquet would you suggest for a February wedding? Is it the proper and necessary thing to make a gift to the bridesmaids and to the pianist also if they are relatives? And for the groom to present the best man with some gift? What would you suggest as being appropriate? Is a black suit, white vest, white shirt and tie a conventional dress for an afternoon wedding—Pat. For a winter buffe ( t supper have scalloped or creamed oysters in patties, chicken salad, cold turkey, coffee, olives, Baited nuts, ice cream, cake, bonbons. The bridegroom presents the bride and her attendants with their flowers. In large cities most of the spring flowers, like hyacinths, tulips and jonquils, are obtainable in February; roses are always lovely with carnations, which are acceptable and beautiful at all seasons. It is quite customary to present the attendants and pianist with some token. usually a pin or something for personal adornment. The men of the party most always have scarf pins or cuff links besides ties and gloves.

Questions From “A. M.” Would you please tell me what would be a proper gift to give to a girl friend whom I have been keeping company with for awhile, as she graduates from the public school this year. Is It proper to give a present when graduating from public schools? Do you think a boy eighteen years old and a girl seventeen years old would be too young to keep steady company, and go to a show or entertainment once in a while If her parents don’t object? Do you think we would be too young to attend private dances at this age?—A. M. It has become quite the custom to bestow gifts on graduates and I would suggest a new book, a card case, a box of candy prettily put up. I think that young people your age are too young to go with each other steadily, for it is not fair to either of you. See a lot Of other girls and boys and be good friends with all. We cannot help having our preferences, but it is just as well not to express them decidedly * too early in life. Take the girl out occasionally. Birthday Party for Tan-Year-Old. I wish to give my little girl, who will be ten years old the 25th of February, a birthday party. The guests will number fifteen or twenty, ages ranging from seven to twelte years. What would you suggest for refresh-

ments, games, prizes, souvenirs, etc.T I do not wish for anything elaborate, but would like something different* Please answer in the Sunday paper. Thank yofu. —“Anxious.” For ijNfresbments you mttpt have ice cream,' or it would not "be a party.* Also a big frosted cake with ten candles and “one to grow on.” At the age often girls love to dress dolls, and I heard es a most successful| party where the girls dressed wee dollies, and prizes were offered for the best one. Ah hour was alloted'to the task. A box of letter paper and a ..box of candy make excellent.prizes, or cup* and saucers. Cunning little basket* may be given for favors. , Questions From “Perplexed.” - If a girl of seventeen never has had a sweetheart or does not care to go with boys at this age, do you think it is right to call her “old maid.” She thinks It looks unladylike to flirt and' have regular sweothearts at the age of seventeen, Do you think a stenographer is a desirable position for a girl? Which are worn more now, large bats or small ones?—-Perplexed. I think it is most unkind and rude to make fun or hurt any one’s feelings and a girl is by no means *an old maid. The position of stenographer is often s very desirable one Both large and small hats are worn, depends upon which Is most becoming, and on which occasion it is to be worn; .v,: Card EtiquettePlease tell me bow many of one’s own and their husband’# cards should be left When calling. Can you recommend a book on such matters? E. M. F.

When calling upon a husband and wife, leave one of yours and twb of your husband’s cards; when paying a visit upon a widow or an unmarried person Just leave one of yours and one of your, husband’s. For each unmarried person in society one card is left. For name of a small up-to-date book of Etiquette send me a self-adddressed, stamped envelope in care of the pa-, per. ’

MADAME MERRI.