People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1896 — Daughters of American Rnvolution Entertained. [ARTICLE]

Daughters of American Rnvolution Entertained.

Last Saturday was a day that will be long cherished in the memory of the members of the General Van Rensselaer Chap ter. D. A. R., and of their friends associated with them in the celebration of Flag Day. This is a day set apart in their society for instilling into the minds of its members a patriotic devotion for the flag of our country. The sensible plan of basing this devotion upon kuowledge rather than on blind faith was pursued. Accordingly when the ladies met in the afternoon of last Saturday at the home of Mrs. Alfred McCoy, the following instructive programme was carried out: History of the stars and stripes Mrs. A. Purcupile. Star Spangled Banner, solo, Mrs. E. P. Honan. Reading, Barbara Fritchie, Mrs. A. F. Long. At the conclusion of the above programme lunch was served. One of the peculiar restrictions placed upon these festivities was that but three things might be served. The articles constituting this repast were; water, napkins and toothpicks. Following refreshments came a game testing the imaginative and constructive powers. The letters in the words “Daughters of the American Revolution’;’ were given to be

combined into the greatest possible number of words. and the large number some were able to construct was truly surprising. The prizes for this contest were won by Miss Loughridge and Mrs. Parker. At the conclusion of the regular afternoon session Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Rinehart tendered a dinner to the members of the chapter and their gentlemen friends. Promptly at six o’clock the latter could be seen taking their way across the river and entering the palatial McCoy residence. Here a surprise greeted them. The ladies had costumed for the occasion in the dress of the revolutionary times. The white gowns made especially for the evening with short sleeves, short waists, and low necks; the powdered hair; the antique jewelry, seeing' the light now for the first time in many years gave to the scene a weird charm which seemed to throw over the memory a spell that transported the spectator back to the historic times of the revolution. The decorations were artistic and in keeping with the period!

represented. In addition to a profusion of rich cut flowers the walls were adorned with pictures of events and men famous in American annals. While the guest was still bewildered and yet wondering whether he was himself or his great grandfather, he was given an envelope containing a card bearing the name of the lady he was to take to dinner. Laying aside the formality of an introduction, each gentleman boldly laid claim to one of these fair dames of the eighteenth century and bore her with him out to dinner. The dinner was a model of taste and luxury. The menu was as follows: Sherbet. Croquettes. Sliced ham. Saratoga chips. Bread and butter. Pickles and olives. Coffee. Chicken salad and crackers. Beet pickles. Ice cream. Cake and bonbons. The above was served on small tables, four persons at each table. The great number of combinations of red, white and blue was noticed with dei ght by every one. The ice

cream, together with the dish in which it was served, furnished the national colors, while the cakes served with it were star shaped; the same was true of the floral decorations of the table; each napkin was adorned with a flag, and every croquette, like a miniature fortress, bore upon the lofty summit the star spangled banner. Such an abundance of emblems of national honor could not but inspire patriotism in the hearts of those present. This zeal for the country’s welfare found an outlet in an attack upon the feast spread out befoi’e them, and it did not diminish until every reaource of the enemy, as set. forth by the menu, had been exhausted. If our forefathers always fared as sumptuously as did the partakers of that banquet, no wonder a sigh for the good, old times occasionally escapes the lips of our progenitors. It the zeal manifested at the the table could be converted into genuine patriotism how successful, beyond expectation, would the Daughters of the American Revolution be in their

great principle of engendering the spirit of patriotism. Upon repairing to the parlors after dinner some excellent music was furnished. All present then took a mock journey to Saratoga to attend a convention of the society to be held at that place in a short time. Each one was provided with a guide book containing blanks instead of the names of the places visited. The places along the route were represented by various articles in different parts of the house; i. e. the picture pf LaFayette represented one of the stops; that of our'national president; another; etc. A. merry scramble ensued in the attempt of every one to complete the journey first. The prizes, silk flags, fell to Mesdames C. C. Starr and E. P. Honan, and Messers R. M. Vanatta and Granville Moody. Lemonade refreshed the thirsty travelers along the journe v. The remainder of the evening passed rapidly and pleasantly in music and conversation. The guests departed late in the evening after having enjoyed one of the most complete social successes of the season.