St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-01
PENALTIES OF BELLEsHEp.
The Trials and Tribulations of a
Spoiled Darling.

New York Graphic.
Ibis morning young lady in white
cashmere tea gown, trimmed down the
front with real Valenciennes lace, lay in
her hammock ON the second story verandah
and gazed out into the pale blue sea. A
big white hat trimmed with trailing arbutus,
shaded her face, pair of loose giants de
suide covered her shapely h ands: her feet
were encased in Louis QuatorZe slippers
and black silk stockings; at her elbow was
table with an embroidered cover, a cup
of iced tea. the last Harper's, the leaves
all cut, and paper knife marking East
Angels" From the pavilion the Dire amy
music of Strauss valse rose and fell.
why are you not dancing?" I in
quired. you look like an enchanted
princess. You can't be ill with that de-
licious bloom, nor a religeuse in that
charming gown"
And in something like these words the
young recluse replied: Well, you see, I've
been out three seasons, and Pm worn out
trying to be belle: it's the hardest work
any woman ever undertook. In the first
place you've got to have clothes. You
might be the presidents sister, and if you
are dowdy-like a flock of sheep-they
always follow their leader, and are dread
three times day you must be dressed in
fresh new things. You must go to all
your meals and sit in the parlor after each,
or else you'll be overlooked and forgotten.
You must dance morning and evening ger
mans, or it will be presumed you haven't
partner. 1t just kills girl to lose her
reputation for belleship. I know girl
whose grandpa died just as she was having
crowds OF attention, and she Just had to
stay away from the german two nights.
Of course she couldn't placard on her back,
my grandpapa is dead is why I am not
dancing" though she told every one and
looked perfectly wretched.
But the third night she might as we'll
have died herself. Some malicious girl
had declared that it was an invention-that
she hadn't any grandpapa, and the men
said: ''Well, if no one else wants her, I
DON'T" and never asked for dance again.
II tell you, my feet have been blistered
from dancing and playing tennis and walk
ing, and [ dared not stop lest l be left be-
hind.
Then about the men, anybody who
cultivates his feet can get into society. Of
course he must dress well and know how
to say 'How-de-do,' but that's ALL No
matter how stupid he may be, no matter
how tired and sleepy you are, you've got to
remember there's ball every night and
walk every afternoon, and a swim at mid.
day, and you've got to have partner for
everything. So you must smile and chatter
and make him think himself the most de-
lightful creature on earth, or he'll go OFF
and tell his crowd that you are difficult
and they'll all get some other girl of whose
smiles they are assured. There are always
four to one gentleman, so you can pick and
choose.
''And then the girlsi You've got to be
popular with them or they'll prejudice the
married women against you; and it's an
awful thing to be out with the chaperones.
So was belle down here two summers.
l danced all the germans, l went to guard
mounting, parade and tattoo. sprained
my ankle playing tennis, and bathed till
[ was as black as chimney sweep, and
then decided [ wouldn't try any more.
1t man joins me l dance with him; I
give him promenade if he insists, and let
him go even if [ have the agony of being
seen alone. Now look at me and see if [
haven't improved"
And looked at her with that apprec-
alton for color which Ruskin says is akin
to righteousness pretty red-brown
hair, the bloom of the lily and rose
''Ah, my dear, l calculated, if the others
would be as senSiblel'
Just then one of those long, loose gloves
fell from her hand. her left hand, where
sparkled brilliant diamond.
Dimly [ recollect some ballroom story.
Then | cried: ''Oh, you humbugr And
she laughed, ''Oh, you stupid! OF course
l don't care about being a belle, I'm en-
gagedp'