Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-02-08
A New YORK Lady IndnIges In a sharp
Game
From the New York Mail, 18th ]

[From the New York Mail, l7th.I
Moral insanity appears to be cpl
demic. It has been caught by the
female portion of the city, and although
their position as non-business mem
bers of the community unhsppily pre-
vents them from making paper" they
indemnify themselves by experiment
ing in other branches. A lady OF high
responsibility, living in one OF those
streets which in this city are appro-
priated by the equestrian or arIsto-
cratic orders, has long been distin-
guished for an admirable philanthropic
consideration for her less favored fell
low-creatures. She was the manager
ess of various excellent institutions, all
having for their object the relief OF
legitimate distress. Her name was at
the head and tail of all charities, and
last season during the rage for calico
balls, she distinguished herself by com
bining canvas-back suppers with char
ity. Clergymen eulogized her. Even
Young New York" respected her, and
at her parties did not get drunk before
supper. "The charitable Mrs. x" was
a password at the door of every
benevolent institution in the city. This
year Mrs. K, no doubt with the in
tention of improving on the rather
worn out idea of the ''calico ball, sUg-
gested new form of that benevolent
advertisement in the shape of 'brocade
ball." or, as Young New York, sacri-
ligiously called it, "heavy-swell hop"
At this entertainment the programme
of the calico ball was reversed. Instead
of the ladies coming in cheap dresses
to be afterward removed for the benefit
of the poor, and the evening terminal
ing en- Qrdnde tenaS, the female portion
of the guests were expected to come
attired In their very best, and at IL
o'clock retire TO the dressing rooms,
where they were to doff all their silks
brocades, and jewelry, and assume,
some inexpensive attire provided be-
fore-haud. The cast-off attire was to
be sold for the benefit of benevolent
institution which Mrs. x. was about
starting, and so realize a mucn more
considerable sum than even the most
liberal of calico balls. The idea met
with general appreciation. Mrs. Ks
rooms were crowded. Ladies who
had credit at Stewards and Tiff
fiany's We'd with each other in
brocade and ornaments. One lady
wore a set of sapphires valued at a
thousand dollars. Charity, winged
with vanity, scared to the seventh
heaven of benevolence. But elias, for
human nature When a week or so
had passed, and the excitement of being
fashionably merciful had subsidized,
whispers began to be heard. One lady
heard from a maid servant, whom Mrs.
K. had discharged, that that lady was
IN considerably pecuniary difficulties.
Another traced splendid MORE an
tique dress which she had worn on that
occasion, to a costssBier's In Broome
street; and a ieweler was accidently
discovered who stated that Mrs. &
had offered him a set of sappbires in
part payment of her bill. Charity S
wings, like those of Icarus. suddenly
melted, and the poor, benevolent angel
tumbled into the lowest gulf of fash
ionable contempt. Since then Mrs.
K has retired from active charity,
and it is supposed that Fifth avenue
will, for the future, refrain from giving
its aims by deputy.