Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-02-19
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Visitors and the People they Visit
Theatrical CeIebrtties-EarII, the
baptist.

| From the Regular Contributor of the Appeal
WASHINGTON, February 14.-Socisl
matters last week went with a perfect
Whiz that almost took away the breath
| of individuals not fully accIimated, and
| quite discouraged people possessing only
| limited wardrobes. The highly i'm prob
able boy, whe set his teeth and only
| smiled while that stolen fox was setting
| his fa1gs in his heart, wasn't more OF q
hero than the lady who courageously
wears the same costume to party and
reception; Iions it again for calls and
comes out triumphantly elegant every
| time. At least people are kind enough
| to gay 30, but there isn't much va
riety to the wearer. L guess l know
how infinite are the possibilities of one
black silk when judiciously managed.
Why, bless your heart, OVid's metamOr-
phoses were nothing to the transitions
my best gown has known during the
last few weeks! There's lots of fun in
calmly raising your head and remark
ing with cOmpcsure, that black is your
fdU0rite toilet. You get credit for
good taste and nobody knows the reason
why, unless you are goose enough to tell
them, as Pm doing now. Thursday I
deemed it ny duty to investigate the
senatorial residences. We started at
two o'clock, going first to the rooms of
Senator Allison, at Wormley's hotel.
We found the little lady delightfully."-
established amid books and pictures
and pretty things generally, which
seemed, somehow, part Of her natural
heritage. She is much younger than
the senator, has low, gentle voice, and
the pleasant msnners which tide visit
ors over the bar Of formality very easily;
then to Mrs. Stevenson's, at the Airing
ton. That call was accomplished
through much tribulation. Some other
ladies were trying to forward their cards
at the same time we presented our PASTE
boards. Darkey No. l passed the mysti-
cal scraps to darkey No. 2, who received
them deferentislly on silver tray, but
instantly turned the tray down side
ways, and kept from slipping by pinch
ing tDsm with his black thumb! Silver
walters are nice. Our next call was
upon Mrs. Dawes. Their rooms are on
X street. They are extremely pleasant,
and then our friends had brought home
many bright bits Of Berkshire autumn,
All about the folding-doors ran lovely
border of tinted leaves and graceful
ferns, SO carefully placed that it seemed
SIS il they were painted on the wall; the
lace curtains showed the came pretty
decorations, but that was all we could
see IN one glance, for the next minute
we met Mrs. Dawes's cordial welcome
and the equally warm greeting OF Miss
DAWES. Can you guess what q relief
one finds, when in round of calls we
do happen to meet lady whose first re-
mark isn't upon the weather? Our visit
to Mrs. Dawes was certainly that
pleasant exception, for neither the
weather nor prevailing toilets were dis
cussed, and our brief stay was so full of
pleasure that we quite compreheDded
why people like to visit the new senator.
We held our Massachusetts noses a de-
gree higher than ever, and forth.
with proceeded to another man.
sion. This house is in a charming
location; all iis appointments are quite
1.-The thing" but, D dear did ever Won
go from the sunny side Of the street to the
bleakest place on the other side? We
felt depressed the minute the solemn
waiter opened the door; awe came creep-
ing over US like chilling waves, so when
the hostess greeted us, severely present.
ing her giOved fingers, and introduced
her daughter in q melancholy tone, our
own smiles faded and ideas took wings,
Good gracious! we were eXtinguished
utterly quenched entirely; subdued be-
yond any awakening. We made one
Intellectual attempt to rally by saying
the brightest Things we could invent, but
bless you! in that atmosphere nothing |
could be- bright two minutes. Half q |
dozen other guests experienced the same !
sensation, il we may judge from the |
signs of relief which were drawn the |
we were outside the door. No /
matter about names. Anyone who has |
ever made that call will know who we |
mean. Then entering our carriage-one
dollar snd fifty cents an hour, dear
whirled away to Senator
BayErd's. The young lady daughter of
The house, who made her debut last
week, was chatting with friend, but
Mrs. Bayard received US with an easy
grace which MARKS one who Is to the |
manor born. haven't the faintest idea
Of her features, and shouldn't know her
again If l met her, but l brought away
With me memory OF dark hair smooth
y brushed back from high forehead;
pair Of bright, dark eyes, and & sweet
'Oice that knew how to make music cut
u commonplace words. Senator Baysrd
?, par ercelteJlce, the cultivated gentle
nan, and Mrs. Bayard as tue a type of