Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-23
ALExAaAzETTE & &vIRa1NIA ApvERr1sE
A PRECISE GROOM The Russian Minister,

tor notices over four lines
PRECISE GROOM. The Russian Minister,
NJ. Bodisco, writes Mrs. Jesse Fremont, refer
ring to Washington society long ago, was to be
married to so young girl that bridesmaids al
Ready IN society would be unsuitabIy old. So
myself and seven others. ranging from fourteen
to sixteen, were let to come out for lust this
occasion. 1t was May-a December affair:
and the bridesmaids and groomsmcn were
chosen to suit this order of things.
1t was all planned and programmed by NJ.
bodiSco himself, who was very exact about
ceremonies, and marshalled US the day Of the
Wedding as an lmpressario would a new troupe
With the paper in his hand he "calIed the
roll, and we took our places 10 the manner
decided after serious discussion among those
learned 10 questions OF precedence. Mr.. FIX,
as English minister, and Doyen, was equally
entitled to be first eroomsmap, With Mr.. Buch-
anan, who was Senator and had been Minis
ter to Russia. Both were accordingly given
hrst positions by placing US as though we were
all TO De married, the bride and groom stand
ing ln the centre-Mr. Buchauan and myself
next the bridegroom, and next the bride, Mr..
Fox and small girl of twelve; aud 80 on, end
lng with the only young groomsmen, Smith
Van Buren,, and Kemblc PauIdiug, who were
lads under twenty. This arrangement made
the occasion tor many stiff jokes, which did
not please all the bridesmaids, who, young as
they were, had other ideals of love and mar
riage than the elderly men who were their part
pers for this time
NJ. Bodisco had decided our Dress and we
made quaint looking set D the loug dresses
OF white satin-damask, made to give US look
Tor onp hon u r
vas very klnd-natured man, and the marriage
proved one of entire goodwill and content.
which was more than was reasonable to expect.
After the first official diuuers and balls had
been given it was judged | had had enough of
such unreasonable hours and ideas, and | was
put back to my books.
SOCIETY ln st. Louis is just now 10 a terrible
tlutter over the discovery of most remarkable
case Of kleptomania, the victim of which is a
lady of high social standing there. For several
days the leading dry goods houses of the city
had suffered from the depredations of some
light. 6ugcrcd invader Valuable articles of
ladies' wear and fancy fabrics were continually
abstracted, and though their loss was quickly
discovered, not the slightest clue to the thief
was found. The matter finally became so seri-
Gus that the Police Department we're request
ed to detail detective to aid one of the firms
p putting stop to the business. On Tuesday
last clerk in one Of the stores thought he no
ticed well-dressed woman, about forty years
Of age, couccaling lace scarf which she had
not purchased. Being satisfied that be could
not he mistaken, he reported the fact, aud the
lady was detained. She made strenuous de-
nia OF guilt but the scarf was found in her
tIp1or tho oir
determined TO give her into custody, and an
officer being called 10 he escorted the lady to
the station. On investigating the case the Of
foer found that he could not do otherwise than
bold the lady. She wore a proiusion of dia-
monds, and had $3O5 in money, all Of which
she wanted to surrender 10 avoid exposure A
messenger was Immediately sent to inform her
husband of the trouble. The woman finally
admitted that she had other goods at home
that she had neger paid for. Her residence
was searched, and a large quantity of stolen
goods were discovered. She had been in the
habit of shop-liftiDg from her childhood, and
it appears to be case of kleptomaDia Her
husband, who is we-known scientific ectur-
er, fully explained his wife's misfortune to the
authorities, and, 10 view of her respecta bility,
no proceedings we're begun against her.
RUSSIAN HOUSES IN W1NrER.-The win
dows are invariably double, and the space be-
tween the sashes invariably covered with a
layer of fine sand, designed to absorb moisture
and prevent the frost from silvering the panes
Twisted horns of paper containing salt are set
in it, and sometimes the sand is concealed by a
bed of moss. There are no outside shutters or
blinds, for they would be useless. since the
windows remain closed all winter, being care
fully filled in and around the edge with cvment.
Heavy curtains of rich materials still further
deadeu the effect of the cold upon the glass, q
substance much more permeabe than is gen.
orally believed. Open fire places are rare
when they do exist, they are only used in spring
and autumn. They are closed filled with
fowers-fowers which are truly Russian
luxury! The houses overflow with them !;
flowers receive you at. the door, aod 60 with
you up the stairway; Irish Ivles testoon bauls-
ters; jardinieres adore the landings on every
hoor 10 the embrasure of the windows,
banaoas spread out their broad slken leaves !;
TALBOT palms, Hagnolias, cameias growing like
trees mingle their blossoms with the gilded
volutes of the cornice; orchids hover like but
tcrAies around lamp shadeso crystal, porcelain,
and curiousy wrought terra Gotta. From horn
shaped glass, placed iothe center OF table at the
corner of sideboard spring sheaves of superb
exotics and all this f1ral splendor thrives as in
hot house; in the street you are at the pole !;
within doors you might believe yourself 10 the
tropics.
VALUE OF CoURTEsY.-At certain baok 8
gentleman recently opened an account
came here" he said, ''not simply because |
knew my money would be safe with you, but
because you are always civil. have been a