The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-23
oreenhorns In Washington.

Washington Corr. Cleveland Leader.]
 AS an instance of the ignorance of con. gressmeu's wives abon. social nsages, 1 give the following: It is the custom here, as elsewhere, to appear in fuu dress at great evening reception, and it is also customary in off cials to invite with gentleman guest the ladies of his fam fly A leading senator, who has been spoken of as a presidential candidate, gave large reception last winter and in- vited all the congressman of his own state All were asked to bring their families One who states in the Con- gresso1al DiSsttsry that he lives and was raised upon farm came at seven o'clock in the evening with his wife and the three young girls of his family. These girls ranged from seven to seventeen years in age. Taey had long straight hair, wore high-Hecked dresses and rib- bons about their waists, and both the congressman's wife and each of the girls expected to remain in the room with their bonnets on. The senator wife, who was very kind-hesrted lady, was dressed at this time, although it was two hours be- fore any one might be expected. She tried to persuade the woman to remove her bonnet but was told that her hair was not combed, and she believed that she would keep it on. Finally, however, the senator's wife told her she would look very odd with her bonnet on while all the rest were in full dress, and she persuaded the country woman to allow her toilet to be made by the hands of the senator's wife's maid The children also fn0k n4 fhAsr kaNa hat kk~. k~ only children present. They stood around during the evening. being made as much at home as was possible by their senatorial hostess.
 This was an instance of mistake or ignorance. We have here at Washing- ton, however, class of the nouveau riche who sometimes err through a mistake of knowing too much and not having the gentlemanly instincts to direct the use of their knowledge. One of these, the wife sf millionaire, who lives in one of the finest mansions in Washington, was sit- ting not long ago at a great dinner party beside one of the most noted generals of the late war. They were at the table, and in the course of a table d'hote, this noted general happened to make use of his knife in conveying a certain kind of food to his mouth. As he did so the rich lady nudged him, and in a semi stage whisper said: beg your pardon, gem eral. but when Mir. = does wrong in a social way he is always glad to have me correct him. know your wife will thank me when tell you you ought not 10 use your knife in that way. People at Wash ington aye very queer and they always eat with their forks"
 The general turned around and looked at the lady with withering astonishment He did not notice her remark, but went on talking with the person on his other hand as though nothing had been said Few such encounters, however, have taken place in Washington society. The average American is gentleman CT a lady, and one with manly or womanly nature need have no fear of m aking his way in Washington society. There is no society easier to enter and there is no so- ciety perhaps in the world where you will meet so many noted people in statesman ship, literature, science and art with so little trouble and in SO short time.