The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-01-14
SOCIETY AT WASHINGTON.
THE SEASONS OPENlNC-SoMe CON-
ING EVENTS.
Tho Ladies of the Cablnct-nrs. Don NJ.
Dickinson in Detroit and Washington.
Changes in New Years Customs-Somc-
thing About Washington Punch.
Special Correspondence. !

changes IN New Years tustoms-Somt
thing About Washington Punch.
Special Correspondence
WASHINGTON, Jan 9.-New Years da.
passed OF with all the flourish of one of Wag
ner's operas. There was the beating Of tn
society drum and the whstling of the societ,
fife, and we arc now in the midst Of one o
the livcliest seasons in our history. II is only
six weeks until Lent, and the winning and tn,
dining and counting and cooling must he al
crowded into that short season.
There are number of heiresses here this
winter, and Senator Stanford has bevy Of
girls from the Pacific slope about him. Tn,
ma jority of the new senator's are rich, and
not few have daughters with them. Sena
tor Paddock can give his two girls nee mar
rage portions, and Senator Quay is by ne
means i'll hccled Don Cameron's little girl
will probably own her own house at least il
she marries poor, and as for the daughters of
Sherman, Evarts, Waite and a score OF
Others they are by no means badly Off, either
in this worlds beauty or in the prospect of
this worlds goods.
| Washington society girls are noted for
their brightness and there is no place in the
world whore the social grindstOnc tends so
much to sharpen lady'S wits. The contact
with the greatest statesmen of the country,
the minging with the noted authors and
! litterateurS who make Washington their
winter home, and the Introduction TO the
lions of the world who assemble here each
winter, keep the young brain ON the 20, and
if there is anything III it, either Of repartee
or thought, it is sure to be brought out The
girl has to keep well posted as to the men She
meets, too, or she will be liable to ask some
ridiculous questions, as, for instance,
"Whether Sam Randall is in the house or
senate or whether Gen. Sheridan was
commander of cavalry or infantry
Such interrogatorieS would, of course, be
objectionable if made to the gentlemen
above spoken Of but they are no more out of
the way than that which supposedly well
read woman made to Howells, the novelist,
last year, when she asked him what books he
had written, and remarked that his CONVEX
sation was so fluent that she really thought
that he could write for the newspapers
Another lady asked Commodore Schley, Of
Arctic fame, what noted thing he had done,
and one Of the humorous editors greatly in
suited Winfield Scott Hancock by asking him
whether he belonged TO the army or navy"
The danger of such mistakes keeps the
fresh society girls alive. They read up on
the men they have to meet, and they learn to
give "taffy" as well Us do the diplomats
This taffy giving and compliment paying,
which prevails to 50 large an extent in Wash
ington society, invariably attracts the atten-
ton Of the stranger in Washington 1t is,
however, a custom which prevails in all court
society the world over, and one which the
politest of nations most affects. Indeed,
"taify" is the grease which makes the wheels
Of society run smoothly, and little lying of
this kind will undoubtedly be pardoned 1t
is just as easy to say 'You are looking WELL"
as Damn you eyes," and the first remark is
always better received
Don NJ. Dickinson promises to be quite an
addition to the cabinet circle, and the change
TO him from Lamar, which comes about in
directly by Villas taking the interior port
folio, will be well liked. Secretary Lamar
has never entertained to any extent, and his
wife is rather retiring than Other wise Mrs.
Dickinson is a TALL stately woman, with
brown hair and dark brown eyes. She is one
Of the leading society women of Detroit,
which is city that pays considerable atten-
ton to social observances. Her home on
Fort street is magnificent mansion, and she
and Mr.. Dickinson have been noted as So
ciety people. They have now taken house
On Farragut square, in Washington, which
Is about three squares from the White House,
and is in the most fashionable quarter of the
,ity. Senator Stanford lives very near them,
md the Russian minister is just across the
way. Mrs Whitney is only step on the
,ther side, and Mrs. Dickinson will find
many noted neighbor with whom she can
gossip without danger of getting her feet
wet by long tramp, or the necessity of Or
lering out her carriage.
Mrs. Villas is not yet very strong, and it is
4 good deal of a question whether she will be
able to remain in Washington society this
winter or not The tour she took with the
president, with It's series of accidents, was a
shock to her nervous system, and she thinks
ZONE OF going back to Madison, Wis, be-
tore the season is over Miss Mollie Villas
has been spending the holidays here, and she
has enjoyed her boarding school vacation.
Secretary Lamar went south for Christ
mas, and | am told by one of his intimate
friends that he has decided not to board this
winter, and that Mrs. Lamar viii. spend
much Of the season in the south l don't i'm
agine she is very fond of the rush and tear
Of Washington society, and the secretary him
'elf likes quiet life.
Secretary Bayards daughters are to do the
nonors of his home this winter, and his
daughter Nellie has been spending the holt
lays here. Mrs Secretary Fairchild will
probably entertain considerably during the
season. She has one Of the biggest houses in
Washington, and there is enough glass in
ner conservatories to roof country court
house. These conservatories face the south,
md they will be turned, | venture, into
corridors during the winter. The
sun is very warm here, even now, and you
10 not feel the need of fire when you have
|, glass room with a southern exposure
Mrs. Whitney and the secretary intend to
,ivea number of entertainments, and they
will have some friends here with them dur
ng the season Willie Vanderbilt, the son
If one Of the millionaire Vanderbilts of New
York, has been spending the holidays with
The Whitney boys, and l can tell you the
youngsters have as strong voices and us
ardent Christmas imaginations rs you will
ind in boys Of poorer parentage. The little
Whitneys chung up their stockings" about
The wide mantel of the rOrpeous fireDlace in