The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-14
"A WASHINGTON WINTER"
A New Book Which Has Aroused the
Wrath of Residents of the Capital.

social sensation. 1t has been created by Mrs M.
V. Dahlgren's new book. entitled "a Washington
Winter" The work had been pleasantly antiG-
pated, because of the rare advantages for OBJ
serving it which society here has long accorded
its author. The establishment over her Jravesty
for such her work is found to be from end to
ends unbounded. Her friends admit their
modification, and some of them do not hesitate
to give full vent TO their indignation. And no
wonder for Mrs. Dahlgren has Outdoue Dickens
IN all those caricatures which so outraged Amer
leans.
Here is picture which the author, who figures
in the work as Mrs Wilton, draws OF the wife of
cabinet officer on reception, with the remark:
The woman We have just left illustrates Amer
lean institutions in all their glory"
THE wife of the first Secretary called upon
was gorgeously arrayed in stunning dress of
terra Gotta red brocaGe, profusely furbelowed
and trimmed with black Spanish lace, while an
extraordinary turban headdress, surmounted
by plume such he OF Navarro wore, com
pleted the costume and gave her very top-lofty
air. The day was of that exceptional love
illness so often enjoyed in a Washington winter.
But the glorious sunlight was excluded from this
pretentious house. Every shutter was closed.
The heavy draperies were all closely drawn, SO
as to shut out any possible ray of cheerful sun
light. Scores OF gas, jets, covered with red
Shades were In full blast, and, the front doors
were OF necessity opened every moment Tor the
ingress and egress of the motley crowd, the
effect of the ever-confIcting hues was hideOus.
An immense negro, with a voice like a Corliss
engine, asked the names, and then announced
the corners, who were borne in on the blast oil
sound.
"As our little party entered the house. they
were promptly accOsted, 'Wot's yer names2
Mrs. Wilton, Miss Wilton Miss Stevens. and
Prince Nikolaus Skybeoff'
'These were sooner given than the ebony
usher bawled out: Miss Meteon, Miss Stoves,
ana Prints Niklass Skylark,' upon which Mrs
secretary at once shook hands all round
exclaiming, How dye do, Miss Melton, Miss
Stoves, and Mr.. What's-yOur-name2 This is my
little gal, Sary.'
"Now, Sarah, who stood in a straight line on a
crack of the floor beside her mother, was taking
d look at the world at twelve, and wore blue
SILK dress, bounced to her waist, ahd her hair
banged.
"'it is pleasant said Mrs Wilton. more eour-
teous than candid, perhaps, to have your daugh-
"'Oh, yes, said Mrs. Secretary I'm greatly
obliged 10 you, mum. Susy's good gal; never
hev to lick her. Won't YOU, Miss Melton, and
them other ladies, and Mr.. at's-hls-name, that
cum with you, take something to eat3 One gets
very done out going the Touncs and peddling Of
cards all day long The VIttles ia in the back
room, and yer more than welcome. We never give
drinks here, because we are wholly, entirely and
tetOtally temperance
"'Thanks,' SAID Mrs Wilton; we will take tea
them
GAS they gained the welcome fresh air, the
Prince exclaimed: 1T is well I am with you
ladies, for otherwise l should need glossary to
explain the idiom,'
'''You would need more than glossary here
replied Mrs. Wilton, for the woman we have
just lett illustrates American institutions in all
their glory. Her husband first saw her really
beautiful arms 1t is said, as she stood over
washJub, with sleeves uprolled, at the door of
her fathers inn in Texas. The future Secretary
has had a large cattle ranch on the Texas plains
and he took the buXom beauty home as his wife,
and installed her as mistress over his roOmy
house. His locks and herds prOspered, and his
money sent him TO Congress, from whence his
stenIorian voice lifted him into cabinet poei
tinn. where, as you see, his wife ls doing the
honOrs."
1t is true there have been several wives of
cabinet officers who were plain Americans, with
more love of quiet homes and motherly,
manly ways than of the requirements of official
life but II is far possible from the truth TO
intimate that this extract was ever deserved nv
any of them. Ii there is any class in Washing
ton against which volume of satire and ridi-
Guile might be properly launched. it is the small
NUMBER whose lves move only In the ruts
marked out in the authors former work entitled
washington Etiquette"
The army. the navy, the Senate, and the
House, in short all that goes TO make up Wash
ington society outside of "Mrs. Wilton's Con-
versazione," all receive the same treatment, but
the whole is introduced with the statement in
the preface: "Onr aim in this book, however,
has been to give types which are often found in
Washington life. For, in one word, Washington
represents the Nation"
The typical cabinet officer appears at an even
ing reception as the husband of the lady whose
afternoon reception is previously described. To
add to the curious taste of the picture, the Sec
rotary being represented as n temperance man,
the typical naval officer proceeds 10 get him
drunk for the amusement OF the Mrs. Wilton her
self, the lady VINO throughout the work is pre-
sented as the marvel Of all that perfect society
"Here a scene that not very dec oc-
CURED, for which we ancient mariner was re-
sponsible. Standing rear was that very cabinet
off scr whose wife had that very morning de-
clared such energetic temperance principles for
herself and family, Now the Commodore took
the opportunity, when Senator Roland and GEN
eral Garfield were closely engaged in the discus
sion of JOINT plan in which the Senate and the
House were to act in committee of conference.
OF which these gentlemen were members, to get
up little BY play for the amusement OF Mrs. Will
ton whom he always desired to entertain. He
therefore began to eXpatate upon the excellent
qualities of the punch TO the Secretary, at the
same time filling some glasses with the delecta-
BILE but heady compound Il assure you, Mr..
Secretary he suggested, 1T is sure prcserva-
i've against cold. pneumonia and fever. There
is no headache in 1t, and II makes "a man a man
for a. that as Burns so happily sings Hand
ing glass with one hand, while he tossed off "a
bumper with the other, 10 sweethearts and
wives as old sailors say, said he The See
rotary wavered, shifted the punch and tho
aroma entered his brain. 1t was TOO much, and
virtue lost her favored stronghold. as the whilom
temperance lecturer swallowed the liquid at one
draught, re-echoiug: 'Sweethearts and wives to
you, Conmodore.' It tho work OF an in
stnnt to refill, repledge and requaff. Now for
nght-cap,' said the Commodore, perfectly en-
newer, and the third bumper raised to the
now ready lips, when the arm of the reoreant
suddenly but firmly grasped by no less a
parsonage than Mrs. Secretary herself
File, tiei SIR said she.
"'Let me alone, Sarah said he of bihulous
taste, hilarious enough to be for once independ-
ent.
"'But,' stammered the poor woman, utterly
dismayed. your temperance pledge
"'To your very good health, Commodore an
swered the demented man; here goes, tossing
down the third glass. 'Yon see how it is, Com
modore; theoretically I'm temperance, bat prae-
tically imhibe.'
cat this instant his wife, Selling him by the
arm, whispered in his ear Jake, you old fool
come home at once. Don't you see. with all your
theoretical nonsense, that you are practically
druukP
'With this they disapI cared"
These extracts are quite sufficient to show the
reason for the social Sur which the book has Gre
ated These extracts are a far Illustration of it's
spirit and character. 1t will be accepted as his
t0rical by snobs, and quoted abroad by those
who despise the republic. By Intelligent Amer
leans 1T Will be received with contempt.
An Enterprising Forger.
CT "A IL Mimi Aur 12-C n