The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-03-10
FOR THE FAIR SEX.
Extracts From the Diary Of n w.shinetoi
Belle.

"You could write seven volumes about
Washington" young lady said, who
knew it thoroughly, and felt that every
man born with gold Tor even a steel
pen in his hand should add his quota of
comment. The precision of her state
ment as to the quantity leaves no room
for doubling its accuracy. But as the
volumes are at present not forthcoming
we must content ourselves with few
extracts from the unpublished diary of a
young belle.
"January 13.-Since the New Year re-
ceptions I've been to dozen dinners
and dances, two OF three receptions
every day and made about fifty calls, to
say nothing of those which Aunt G.
and l have received Ny heads in
whirl, and I'm dreadfully happy"
February MY dress at Mrs, Adj
miral IS party, night before last, has
been described in the papers. Who could
have done it? I'm sure L didn't, even if
some people do. Now that / know how
much there is here besides dressing, and
how we'll people stand who dress very
plainly, it seems very foolish this being
paraded just for ones costume. Wash
ington, after all, is the most democratic
and sensible of cities"
" February 6.-I'm getting awfully
tired; but no one can stop after the
round has once been begun. We keep
it up every day from noon to midnight,
meeting the same people at great
many of the places, till it's like one big
family"
February ia funny reception
given to some Chippewa and Apache
Indians last night at Senator Savage's.
The Indians squatted on the floor in
their skins Il don't mean their own, but
artificial ones) and in beads and feath-
ers, with smell of camp-fre smoke and
earth and horses about them that wasn't
pleasant; and we all shook hands with
them, and stared. One of them took
hold of the lace on my sleeve, and
smiled at it with childish delight Then
they sang, beating their tomahawks on
the floor to keep time, strange chant
like the wind in canon, ending with
sharp, fierce barking like dogs. We
made show of them, and they made
one of us. Which were the most civil
ized?"
"February 21.-Going up to night
session of the House, the stalks of gas
jets in the tholus on top of the dome and
the electric light at the dome's base made
a wonderful effect. All the middle of
the capitol was in blue, weird mist of
brilliance. While L was there they sent
the sergeant-at-arms to bring in absent
members, who came in evening-dress
from the dinners and partie3 where they
were found, and had to make excuses
One of them looked half tipsy; another,
new member, was dreadfullv disturbed
because the House, by way of a joke,
pretended at first thai it wouldn't accept
his excuse. Then they moved to recon-
slider, and he was greatly relieved. There
was a great deal of fun over the whole
proceeding"
February "a. - It is astonishing
the variety of tone that one finds
at the meetings of different sets here
One Senator will have party at which
You are thrown in with the most outland-
lsh individuals-menw with gaunt faces,
stiff boards, and no mustaches, who look
as if they would like to take their coats
oH-side by side with the incest people
Another collects none but the most III
teresting and his party is entirely fine
and superior. ! can't imagine anything
more polished than the atmosphere al
Secretary IS. 1t is just like court
The manners are as clear and quiet a.
crystal. The diplomatists go there, and
L experience at every moment what Em.
erson calls the romance of meeting the
best. There is an indescribable excite.
ment in chatting informally with two ol
three possible presidents, who weal
dress-coats just like anybody else. One
thing is very queer, though that is, you
find men against whom the most dread
full charges are made, associating on the
best Of terms with others who are quite
above suspicion that is, if the accused
person is important and 'able.' The
powers that he have to show a good dea,
of tolerance toward influence and
wealth."
"AIarch, End ofthe Season.-Am com
pletely worn out, and haven't an idei
left in my head. 1 shall now begin &
course of Shakespeare readings, and hav,
joined the literary society, There i
still a good deal going on socially, though
and l have an invitation tomorrow for
four to seven,' which, in spite of it,
name, has no connection with politics
but is delightful afternoon and evening
conversazione. The bachelors German
was given last night, and the army ant
navy assemblies will go on after Lent
These are both conducted by young men
who return in this way the civilities the,
have received during the season.
Hmpers 4Lagazine.