Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1872-12-26

Mrs. Eisll's First Recepti0M-WhyN Nellie
rTwo for IFer-The ssGa5inct G.a.sies,''
Ese.
washington Letter to New YORK world.l
The party was very select and not
too crowded to Interfere with dancing.
The dressing, however, was not so
handsome as might have been expected
at the tirstparty in another city. Bless
the hearts of our social leaders, they
set good examples to the entire coun-
try by wearing their dresses as long as
they are presentable, whether that be
one, two or three seasons. Whatever
other sins our society in Washing
ton has to answer for, extravaganza in
dress is not one of them, and nobody
receives the more or less attention be-
cause of the foreign aid of ornament
called in. or the lack of it.
But for the unfortunate news re-
ceived the evening of Mrs. Fish's par
ty, Miss Nellie Grant would have made
her first appearance in society since
her return from abroad. but when the
telegram announcing Mr.. Greeley s
death was received, the President and
Mrs. Grant not only declined Secretary
and Mrs. Fish's invitation for them
selves, but for their daughter. The re-
tirement Of Miss Grant for that even
ing was fitting tribute of respect to
the two young girls who had been so
suddenly bereft of both parents and
brilliant prospects in one short month.
| doubt not Miss Grant was very will
ing to give up her evenings pleasure
as mark of her sympathy with the
two Borrowing sisters, for she is a girl
Of singnlarly sweet disposition.
heard of her making very pretty and
impulsiye girlish speech a few days
since, She received with Mrs. Fish
and Miss Fish OH Wednesday after
noon. A certain lady, well acquainted
with her, was among the callers, and,
bidding her adicu after a very short
call, Miss Grant asked why her friend
left so early? "Mrs. - is waiting
for me in the carriage" the lady re-
sponded. "But "why didn't she come
2" asked Miss Grant. "Oh, well,'
answered the lady, "you know her hus-
band is SO opposed to all Of the admin
istration, and she didn't like to come in
on account Of those violent political
differences" ooh" said Miss Grant,
show 1 hate political differences.
want to know Mrs. -, and l wish
she had come i'm" AS / have often
before had occasion to remark, I know
of no young girl who has mixed at all
in society who is so thoroughly fresh,
simple and unaffected as Miss Nellie
Grant. There is nof an atom of the
girl of the period about her. Her Eu-
ropean trip, with all the attentions
showered upon her by foreign dignita.
ries, has not changed her to all appear
ance in the least, from the sweet, mod
est, childlike girl of year ago. AS
her appearance at Mrs. Fislfs afternoon
reception was her first as q debutante
OF course her dress is an item ofimpor.
lance to lovers of social gossip. Itwas
a black silk, trimmed on skirt and
waist with pale pink silk, on which q
small vine was embroidered. There
was vest of pink silk and cuffs of the
same, with the embroidery attached to
the waist.
Miss Edith Fish will not make he,
debut this winter, but will appear only
in her mothers house. AS Miss Fish
is very young her parents determine.
ton in this regard must be considered
wise; still Washington society canno;
but regret it is the case, for the quid-
nuncs have it that this is the last win.
ter when we shall have Mr.. and Mrs
Fish as residents of Washington. Miss
Edith Fish is very attractive young
girl. She is as tail or nearly as tall as
her mother, has a fine figure, clear
fair complexion, and remarkably beau.
tifnl eyes. She has the grace of man.
ner natural to her family, and the same
| ease and readiness in conversation.
The Cabinet ladies have not all as.
sembied as yet. Mrs. Creswell is moi
expected until Monday. The recep.
tons of Wednesday were those of Mrs
| Fish, Mrs. Delano and Mrs. Williams
| Mrs. Robson is at her residence. but
has not yet begun her receptions
Every one is regretting that the Score.
tary of War has no house this winter
and that none of the ladies Of his fami.
ly are in Washinton. Indeed, so much
| will the genial hospitality of his home
be missed this winter that have been
seriously meditating inserting an adj
vertisement. ''Wanted, chaperone
! for General Belknap.' You see, he is
so popular that it seems shame that
society can find no vent tor its feelings
Last winter he had house full OF
charming ladies, his sisters and his sis.
ter-in-law, Mrs. Bower, with her lovely
niece, Miss Lucy Worthington, Mrs.
Bower is in Paris this winter, and we
hear she ia likely to remain another
year abroad.
Was there ever anything co coward
tv in tho bicfory nP nur y,clsf;oc ~