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" (a merry guest is no one's burden). "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.