THE COURIER 3 SOCIETY NOTES LIFFS MAZY WHIRL But three weeks more and then Com eth Christmas and this reminds me of the small boy's definition of that sea son as a time when people give things they can't afford to people who don't want them. Margaret Deland in a recent article said: "It is a pity that the date of Christ's birth should be made an occa sion for the interchange of trash, and it is still more to be regretted that this 'trash should so often cost money that the givers can 111 afford. The giving of presents at Christmas is certainly a beautiful custom, and one would scarce ly wish to see It go out of fashion, but it might be well if people would give fewer presents and think a little more about them. For It is just the thought for one's self which a gift indicates that constitutes the chief pleasure of receiv ing it not its costliness or its usefulness, or anything else about it, though it ought to be valuable, materially or spiritually, and may, and indeed ought, in many cases to be costly as one's purse can buy, for we do not want to give to our friends that which costs us nothing. There is a delicate flattery In the appro priate gift, 3howlng that the giver has taken pains to observe one's tastes, that must be forever pleasant to the human soul; and such presents cannot be picked up by the dozen In an afternoon's bar gain hunting, nor yet can they be manu factured by the dozen." A lady who always does the right thing at the right time, and is conse quently always serene, and ready to help her friends out of difficulties, told me this week that she has thirty-three friends to remember at Christmas time, and that her gifts are not only all se lected, but most of them are already in their tissue paper wrappings, tied with ribbons, and the Christmas messages are enclosed, all ready to be sent out. That woman should be happy. The most dazzling function of this week was the Putnam reception' and ball Thursday evening, but there were ever so many other affairs which were very delightful. The interest of society for next week will center on Miss Burr's wedding. At the Lincoln hotel, Thursday evening, was given with great eclat, by Mrs. A.. M. Putnam, Miss Putnam and Miss Saunders, a huge reception and dance, in honor of their guest. Miss Truax, a charming young lady from Chicago. The decorations were in exquisite taste. The parlors were adorned with palms and white chrysanthemums and the lights had red shades. The ordinary was converted into a supper room and was lavishly decorated. A large mound of pink roses, surrounded by white chrys anthemums and maiden-hair ferns, formed the centrepiece on the table, and strands of smilax extended to the chandelier. White candles In crystal sticks under delicate pink shades were on the tables. The candlesticks were tied with bows of pink satin ribbon. The supper was elaborate and punch was. served all evening in the hall. The. reception lasted until ten o'clock, when dancing to the inspiring strains of a full orchestra began in the big dining room. This was the first large party of the season and if future entertainments equal it Lincoln will witness a succes sion of brilliant affairs this winter. The gowns were conspicuously lovely. Mrs. Putnam wore lavender silk, and diamonds; Miss Putnam, white net over taffeta, with capuchon of Duchesse lace and rhlnestone buckles on the corsage, and bands of rhlnestones down the seams of the skirt. Miss Saunders appeared in an elegant costume of green velvet. Miss Truax, a slender graceful girl, wore pink point de Paris over -satin, with garnitures of pearls in medallions. The assisting ladies were Mrs. W. F. Kelley, who wore white crepe trimmed with Venetian point; Miss McClure gowned in black and white; Mrs. John Dorgan, in a pale blue broadcloth skirt and pink and blue lace corsage; Mrs. H. P. Lau, in white chiffon over' satin; Mrs. C. E. Tates. black and whiti cloth, diamonds: Mrs. Harry Porter, blue foulard and white chiffon: Mrs. Ross Curtice, gray foulard with real lace col lar; Mrs. E. C. Strode, white China silk, chiffon, nnd renaissance Jape, The guests were also handsomely gowned, noticeably among them were Mrs. W. C. Wilson, who wore cream lace over white taffeta; Mrs. John B. Wright, white lace gown and white ostrich feather boa; Mrs. D. E. Thompson, cream lace over pink; Mrs. Todd of Oak Park, black chantllly lace over white taffeta; Mrs. Lewis Marshall, lavender silk crepe gown, trimmed with cross stitching, white hat; Miss Anderson of Taylorvllle, Illinois, white silk with tur quoise trimming, black hat; Miss Coch rane, pink silk with hat to match; Miss Hoover, blue and white silk with decol lette corsage; Mrs. William Dorgan, black lace; Miss Raymond, white liberty silk; Mrs. I. M. Raymond, blue silk with applique, black velvet hat; Mrs. Charles Mayer, lavender crepe: .Mrs. Henry Mayer, blue silk gown, white hat; Mrs. Irene Thompson, black evening gown; Mrs. N. C. Brock, lavender crepe: Mrs. George Woods, blue and white silk; Miss Gahan. blue crepe. The state dining room In the renod eled White House at Washington. Is Mild to be Imposing rather than cheerful. The walls are formed of richly carved old English oak. the furniture Is uphol stered In tapestry of dark tones, and About fifty guests and relatives gath ered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Beatty to witness the marriage of their daughter Anna to Seth Longacre. The parlors were decorated in smilax and pink carnations. While the strains of the bridal chorus fiom Lohengrin pealed forth, the happy couple, preceded by the ring-bearer, came slowly Into the par lor and took their places. Chancellor Huntington performed the ceremony. The refreshments were very dainty and consisted of raspberry Ice and wafers. Tho wedding was one of those simple kinds where one Is Impressed with the real meaning of the occasion. Mrs. Keck of Aurora played the wedding music. The bride was gowned In white Persian lawn and her bouquet was of bride roses. Both the bride and groom are well known and highly respected young people of the Place. Mrs. Long acre graduated from the Wesleyan with the class of 1900. While In school both were among the most prominent work ers in the Theophaninn literary society, and In Christian work of all kinds. Mr. Longacre served as president of the Y. M. C. A. last year, giving the associa tion one of the best administrations since Its organization. The newly wedded couple were the recipients of many use ful and valuable presents. Mr. Long acre has been engaged as pastor of the Methodist church and teacher In the public schools at Holbrook. Nebraska, since last July. He will resume his duties there where they will be at home after December fourth. & ? ? It is a noticeable fact that in families a little leaven will affect the whole lump, says a writer In the New York Tribune that Is to say. If an elder r MRS-- & f&x: " . MISS E. JEANNETTE GREEN. Recording Secretary of the Lincoln Woman's club. the hangings are of dark green plush bordered with saffron brown. Nlmrod himself might have suggested the dec orations of the upper wall, which are mounted heads of game animals, with the place of honor over the mantle ac corded to the huge elk recently sent to the President from Alaska. The moose head presented to the President by the people of North Dakota challenges ad miration on the opposite side of the room. The state dining table is of mas sive wood, polished as a mirror, and ranged around the room at intervals are buffet tables, supported by eagles of realistically carved wood. The old time crystal chandeliers, whose prisms caught a thousand lights, have been replaced by one of oxidized silver, with electric lights in candle effect. Over the mantle of the room hangs a tapestry that has all the charm of an enigma. The woven painting has for its central figure a mediaeval youth, who holds a torch, which Is the classic symbol for Knowl edge. To the left stands a larger figure, garbed in the ecclesiastic robes of one of the Old World orders, and a pastoral atmosphere is given to the whole by a flock of sheep on the right. Above, on what might be called the sky line is a Latin inscription. The tapestry as a whole gives a classic effect to the room, but, like the hanging on the wall near by, is placed there subject to approval. The latter piece is a cool bit of green woodland divided by a stream on which long legged, high art birds are disport ing. It Is a pretty, restful scene, but would probably appeal more forcibly to sportsmen like the President if the "life" features were bears, for instance. Instead of meditative cranes, brother or sister is remarkable in any way, the others feel the advantage or disadvantage, as the case may be, of the former's reputation. If the verdict of the world has been unfavorable. It Is not a little hard on the Juniors, who by themselves might pass muster very well, but who are called- dull or plain, or by some other uncomplimentary epithet, ac cording to the Impression that has al ready been given by their predecessors. "Don't ask Miss A. to your house party," said some one, speaking of a new de butante. "I was stopping with her sis ter somewhere last year, and she was like a wet blanket." The fact of the matter Is, however, that the younger Miss A. Is by nature a lively, fun-loving little thing, and very good company, but she has been suppressed by family traditions, and Judged by precedent. "The pretty Miss '.'" Is the usual title of three girls. th oldest of whom Is a beauty, the second passably good look ing, and the third positively ugly, but they bear a strong resemblance to each other, and the praise bestowed upon the eldest seems to have become family property. It Is to be questioned whether the elder members of a family properly appreclate their responsibility In deter mining the status o the younger ones, but it Is really "up to them" more or less to make or mar the hitter's for tunes. "handkerchief shower" Is an at tractive way of entertaining for the fall bride and her bridal party. The name means just what it says, for the guests are expected literally to "shower" hand kerchiefs upon the bride. The dainty bits of Jace and cambric ought to- be en tirely of hand make, thereby enhancing their sentimental value. The array one recent bride received embraced every sort and description of handkerchief, from the finest rose point bordered one to be used on her wedding clay to hum ble "bandanas" to serve as dust cloths In the new home. Quaint uud original gifts wen evolved from a "mere hand kerchief" with astonishingly pretty re sults. For instance, a dainty blue bor dered cambric moucholr was converted Into the prettiest of ties, the blue border serving for ends and for the turnover, while a bit of tine lawn made the tie proper. An Oriental looking sofa pillow took shape from four bandanas of blue and white design, rullle and ull. A dainty moucholr case was one of the prettiest girts, made as it was from the daintiest white linen handkerchiefs, embroidered In forget-me-nots wreathed Into the bride's Initials. Interlined with delkattr sachet and finished with an Inside lin ing of white linen. j Ai - r .r - Wednesday. November twenty-sixth, at half after nine In tho morning at the home of the bride's parents. Judge and Mrs. George W. Post. In York, was celebrated the marriage of Miss Hallle Post, a well known member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and former student In the state university, to Mr. Arthur Moore. Grieg's wedding march was played by Mrs. Robert McCon aughey. The bride, who was unattend ed, wore an exquisite gown of white point desprlt over taffetn, trimmed with real lace. The house was adorned with white chrysanthemums and smilax. The guests were relatives, members of the bride's sorority, and a few Intimate friends. Covers for thirty-five were laid for the wedding breakfast. Members of Kappa Alpha Theta who went from here to the wedding were Miss Cllne of Mlnden. Miss Bedwell of Omaha. Miss Woodford of York. Misses Martha and Jeannette Post. In order to elude their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Moore drove tf Houston, to take the train from there to North Dakota for their wedding Jour ney, but they were followed and cap tured before their train left and a merry time followed. - The reception given by the ladles' aid society of the First Presbyterian church In honor of Reverend and Mrs. Swear Ingen, was a pleasant affair Indeed, aind the new pastor and his wife received a cordial welcome from a hundred and fifty people who braved the storm to express their. gratification at once more having a leader. The decorations were simple, consisting only of carnations anil a few palms, but the church, with Its new furnishings and decorations, was very attractive. Mr. C. W. Chambers, president of the board of trustees, pre sented the guests to Reverend and Mrs. Swearlngen. and Mrs. R. T. Van Brunt, who Is president of the ladles society. Ice cream and cake were served by Mrs. I. G. Chapln and Mrs. C. K. Pitcher, as sisted by a dozen young girls from the Sunday school. The officers of the so ciety. Mesdimes A. G. Blllmeyer, J. W. Winger. E. C. Babcock and C. F. Ladd. assisted In the parlor. A string quar tette played beautiful selections during the receiving hours. & The engagement of Miss Herberta Jaynes to Mr. "William Brace Fonda, both of Omaha, was announced last week at a luncheon given by the bride's mother, Mrs. II. S. Jaynes. The table about which the twenty-two guests were seated was formed In shape of a T. and artistically decorated In white and green. A lai;ge mound of chrysanthemums and ferns at one end was connected by gar lands of smilax. with a similar floral piece at the other end. Miss Jaynes Is a member of the local chapter of Delta Gamma and Is an alumna of the state university. Miss Ruth Bryan was among the guests at th luncheon oth ers wer- Edith Smith. Georgia Ken nard. Mercer, Geanle Brown, Allen. Cot ton. Lomax. Caroline Purvl. Frances Purvis. Jessie McCune. Edith Jackson. Gertrude Maeombr. Edith Tukey, Ethel Tukey. Fannie Cole. Hortense Clark. Edith Dumnnl, Mona Martin. Mary Har ris. Lnul4 Comstock and Mrs. Arthur Smith. a- -?- The "circles" into which the ladles of the various churches have resolved themselves for sociability and for finan cial profit to the churches, have come to be an lmtortant part of th church work, and give to some busy women their onlv social pteisures. Some of the circles have literarv pros-roms at their meetings whlh give to th" same buv uo-nen a taste of club life In order tht the circles mav wldn their social In lunc- and to give all Indies In the 41