On Independence Day

On Independence Day

By ADELE K. JOHNSON

THE quiet of our pleasant little town was invaded one sunny June morning by a charming messenger, a wee maiden bearing notes on novel tricolor paper, tied lavishly with patriotic ribbons. The proud recipients discovered that they were invitations to a "Fourth of July Dinner."

An arch of evergreens had been built over the gate and adorned with numerous small flags, which fluttered bravely in the light breeze on Independence morn. The wide piazza had a festive appearance with its loyal flags and bright awnings. Here lemonade and sandwiches were served after the tennis games, a cheery young woman arrayed in national costume as "Columbia" presiding.

A huge American flag and a fierce looking eagle, the latter kindly loaned by Captain Malcolm, gave patriotic color to the parlor, where on a small table was an artistically arranged bouquet of white lilies and American flags.

In recognition of the day the decorations of the dining room were red, white, and blue. Though the room was lighted by the glorious sun, high in the heavens at this hour, red, white, and blue candles were used merely for decorative effects. Above the table gay bunting in the tricolors of patriotism was arranged in the form of a large star. Festive bunting was also employed at the windows.

A screen of flowers placed in front of the fireplace was very attractive. Wire netting filled the panels and the flowers were thrust through this. It required an abundance of flowers, patience, and time, but the effect was excellent and the idea novel.

The flowers in the windows, on the mantel, the screen and the dinner table were of the national colors, vivid red and snowy white geraniums and blue forget-me-nots being chosen. Tissue paper in the United States colors was draped around the jardinières both here and on the piazza.

The sideboard scarf on this occasion was of white linen elaborately embroidered in red. The table linen was fine and pure white. Tiny silk flags were selected for souvenirs at this holiday dinner. Dainty blue and white china was appropriately used. The menu cards displayed the loyal American colors and a picture of one of the "Old Continentals."

Among the many new ideas Elsie, the fair daughter of the hostess, had learned in a recent visit to a city relative, was that of having patriotic music between the courses, by invisible musicians ; ‘‘ Yankee Doodle,’’ ‘‘ The Star Spangled Banner,’’ ‘‘ America,’’ and even that colored song made famous by our soldiers at San Juan. The wise maiden knew it was the time, the effect, that was of paramount importance, therefore the musicians were merely two old colored men, but ah! they knew their violins. Their sweet music was one of the greatest pleasures of the day.

MENU

Potato Soup

“Give us a taste of your quality.”

Hamlet.

Roast Lamb Green Corn Baked Cauliflower

“It is not the quantity of the meat, but the cheerfulness of the guests, which makes a Feast; at the feast of the Centaurs, they ate with one hand and had their drawn swords in the other; where there is no peace there can be no Feast.”

Clarendon.

Raspberry Sherbet

“Cheerful looks make every dish a feast.”

Massinger.

Cabbage Salad

“The turnpike road to people's hearts, I find, Lies through their mouths, or I mistake mankind.”

Peter Pindar.

Cocoanut Pudding Strawberry Sauce

“Appetite comes with eating.”

Vanilla Ice Cream Angel Cake

“Now I am in a holiday humor.”

Shakespeare.

Strawberry Sirup

“Drink, pretty creature, drink.”

Wordsworth.

Bonbons

“War is honorable In those who do their native rights maintain, In those whose swords an iron barrier are Between the lawless spoiler and the weak.”

Joanne Baillie.

Music

“Is there a heart that Music cannot melt?”

Beattie.

Potato Soup Boil and mash six white potatoes, seasoning with one-quarter pound of butter, salt, pepper, and celery salt Heat one quart of milk to the boiling point and pour gradually into the potatoes. Stir thoroughly and strain, heat the soup a few minutes. Just before serving, pour the hot soup over a beaten egg in tureen.

Raspberry Sherbet Boil a pound of sugar and one quart of water for five minutes. Mash one quart of red raspberries. Add these and one cup of red currant juice to the cold sirup; now strain thoroughly through a cloth. Freeze, stirring constantly. Remove the dasher and add a meringue (one egg); serve in lemonade glasses.

Cabbage Salad Choose smooth tomatoes as nearly of a size as possible. Cut off the stem end of the tomatoes, and carefully remove the seeds. Place on ice. When cold, fill the whole tomatoes with finely chopped white cabbage, seasoned with a tablespoonful of grated horse-radish, white pepper, and lemon juice, and place a little mayonnaise dressing on top. The salad thus served on blue china artistically combined our national colors.

Strawberry Sauce Cream a quarter of a cup of butter with a cup of powdered sugar, add one mashed strawberry, beat it well, add another, and so continue until the sauce is a beautiful red. Serve very cold. The ice cream, white, was served on blue china, a tiny flag being inserted in the center of each plate.

Strawberry Sirup Mash and strain enough strawberries to make a cup of juice. Put a cup of water and one of granulated sugar over the fire, and stir until dissolved, then boil ten minutes without stirring; add the strawberry juice, simmer fifteen minutes. Dilute with sufficient cold water to form a pleasant drink. Serve with shaved ice. Small china dishes which represented flags held the salted almonds.

The bonbons on this national holiday were one of the confectioner’s triumphs, American flags, patriotic and delicious. They admirably explained the ‘‘ war’’ quotation which appeared on the menu at this course. The musicians began ‘‘ The Star Spangled Banner.’’ The host gave the toast: — ‘‘ Shout for the stars and stripes, And glory in its fame.’’ Adieu, loyal Americans !