The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-06-03
SOME NEW YORK NOTES.
THE QUESTION OF ESCORTS AND
THE SUMNER WlDOWERS.
Women Who Go Out Unattended-The
Growth of Independence Among the
Fair-The Men Whose Wives Have Gone
to Summer in Europe,
Especial correspondence.l

To III /,
Especial Correspondence.l
New York, May 3,-The Washington cor
respondents have had considerable to say re-
Gently about ladi going oparties and plays
unattended by male escorts. The practice Ia
so well established here that nothing IS
bought of it. Indeed, if all the refined
women in this city waited to he es-
corted to every place they wanted to go
after night many of them would never go
anywhere The male half of humanity
never does anything it doesn't want to
do, and it hardly ever wants to
go where its sisters, mothers and
wives want to GO Necessity inaugurated the
custom of ladies goiny in twoS, threeS and
tours, and now they prefer groups Ct them
selves to any escort that ever lived, unless
they are very much in love with the escort
They enjoy going out in this Independent
way, each one feeling that nothing is eX-
pected of her in the way of entertaining the
others, if she doesn't feel like it. "While an
escort" said one fair woman in discussing
this question with me. IAN escort expects to
be entertained, Talk of a man devising en-
tertainment and pleasure for women Most |
mon expect the lady they escort to toast and |
flatter them all the time 1t be-
comes a little tiresome for the young |
lady" The truth is, that women in
the higher walks of life are not only
asserting their independence in society, but
are enjoying it. When it comes to going to
receptions and private parties they don't
want the care of man." Then, women are
learning that they can have pleasant social
companies without men altogether Ladies
luncheons are the most popular attractions
I D. H.. haxr
learned that other charming women can be
as entertaining in conversation as any man,
however gallant Who knows, perhaps this
self-sufflciency and independence, cultivated
| to still greater extent, will be the very
means of making men put forth greater efforts
to make themselves more attractive to
women They have so long considered them
selves a necessity that they did not value the
privilege of escorting ladies. As soon as they
are made to feel that their protection is not
necessary. their society not greatly sought
after, they will make an effort to keep from
being cast aside altogether.
A woman of socety-not young woman
either, said to me not long since that for the
past few wears men and women hal seemed
absolutely careless as to what each thought
of the other. Both seemed to be completely
disllusioned Something, she thought, was
surely necessary to make each sex seem valu-
able and attractive in the ewes of the other
Perhaps the something needful is tho indie
pendence of women now being made mani
fest.
About this time New York abounds in hus-
bands whose wives have gone to Europe.
Don't picture them as discons olate, sad-faced
creatures, looking out on the merciless sea
through film of tears; because they are not
spending their time that way. Gothamite,
whose wife is on the other side Of the ocean,
is a creature of infinite freedom, and Otter
, but little conscience. Sometime in February
! he begins to show great consideration fol
! the health of his beloved spouse. Id
, remarks upon her pallor, and declares
that she is losing hesh-urges her to see
doctor. Finally, he declares that he canno
a calmly sit still and see her going down hill
that, although he can't endure the thought o
;, her absence, she must take care OF her healt
! she must go abroad "Can you go along
= dear?' she asks, pathetically. His kind IN
= terest in her welfare has touched her hear
. anew, and she idolizes him over again, as
! the DAYS when he was her lover. No, b
: never regretted anything so much in his life
but unfortunately he never was so driven i
:. business. He couldn't possibly go. But
! NAV be that he can go over at the end of tn
summer and bring her home
y In this hope she departs, tenderly urgin:
;, him to enjoy himself all he can in her al
sence-to visit such and such Of her friend
as she knows will try to mitigate his solitude
: He shakes his head and intimates that tn
= tvrant. business, will claim him for its owl
: and SO it does, but not the business sh
: imagines, fond, trustful soul. No, indeed
C but instead thereof the business OF trying h
g wings, SO to speak-putting in every momer
a of his liberty according to his most hberi
}. notions of pleasure
q He doesn't do much pining. Not he III
h moment the steamer glides down the bay |
: sallies forth to hunt forbidden fruit. lie WI
take it in any shape in which it can be foun'
10 LIQUID or otherwise. Such larks! Theatre
suppers, excursions, everything in the way
ii entertainment is plunged into at the madde
is rate because forsooth, he Is 80 lonesome
c. He calls on his wife's friends and mvlt
h them to little luncheons and dinners; and pa
"a ties of his chums, the maddest, merriest
" his chums, are frequent and loud. And tn
ri what letters he writes his wifel They a
re indeed remarkable documents, in which S
in licitous inquiries for her health and ale
mr. tiOnate suggestions IN reBdTu W piolohSh
n her stay, without regard to him or his lon
IF ings. follow one another in the most unselfi
~ way He goes about with very red eyes pa
NC of his time, but this distressing result is n
to be attributed to tears. He is so anxious
nd crowd the time that he rather overdoes
,o- and before the poor lady has been gone
is month he is laid on the shelf from too mu
ce business of a recreativo order.
20 was seeing a friend off to Europe Q
an morning recently. o. the same steamer
~ wife of an acquaintance had taken passai
Of As it moved down the bay stood near
r., disconsolate summer widower, who "
" manifesting his grie' by theoretically WI
~ ing his hat. As he ttrned to go he met
acquaintance in the crowd, and explain
IN that he was there seeing his wife off.
"Indeed!" said the other, with apparent
he light. you'll give supper soon, l 81
ess poser
nj, "Oh, of course" ans wered the newly
h. reaved husband. And so he turned aw
,ho planning for pleasure, while the wife watcl
him from the steamers deck as she sal
M away, heavy-hearted and tear-burden
doubtless. These things are good texts
&c philosophers, reformers, and all persons '
Of see a significance in everything, and r.
we lessons and prophecies therefrom; but t