St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-07-28

" " IW
"GOing to the races?'
The daily programme arranged by the
Twin City Jockey club at thesstate fair
grounds makes the question a leading
one every day in the week. 1t is always
easier TO ask questions than to answer
them either truthfully or intelligently.
Now, how could a young lady tell
whether or not she is going to the races
when, up to date, no young man has
begged her TO accept his escort and help
him spend his boarded cash?
The girl who was aTtfui or fortunate
enough to secure a complimentary or
an invitation week ahead persisted i'll
asking her dearest friends il they were
going too, ana what sort of dresses they
were having made? That's one of the
little ways by which women show their
friendship for each other. Whenever
the aforesaid fortunate girls asked me
about going to the races, | frankly re-
piled: Certainly. I'll be there" but
was conveniently deaf to her hints about
minor details of time and place. was
there, and tried to see all there was TO
see. but ii might incidentally be men
toned that my observations OF the races
were made in a solitary state-Father
from necessity than inclination. |
heartily sympathize with the girls who
didn't get a single invitation to attend
the Derby. I'm one of them, and can
testify how lonesome and ancient 1t
makes one Re =.
A press ba0ge covers a multitude OF
eceentricities, so [ concluded to cloak
my solitude under that guise. The city
editor happened to be in a gracious
mood, and l fastened to improve the op-
pOrtunity by borrowing his badge and
admission coupon. The Twin City
Jockey club issued a unique badge of
pastebOard shaped like a shield, about
as large as the palm of ones hand. Mine
was taStefully adorned with the words
"GLOBE Reporter and an added eau
ton about keeping it in plain sight. l
dutifullv Obeyed the injunction by fast
ening it to the left lapel of my jacket,
In common with other women. l have
an awkward habit of missing a tram
unless a member of the SteTner sex IS
along to remind me of the time.
The far grounds train had left Just
one minute before l entered the union
station at st. Paul. There was a half
hour to be spent in waiting. Waiting
isn't such a slow amusement if you
have plenty of people to keep you COM
panv. There were nearly 200 of them
in this instance. | saw several other
lone women, but they went in pairs.
" Onder why woman always thinks it
a sort of religious obligation to get
another woman to accompany her in
stead of going alone? Perhaps because
misery seeks company.
These lone pairs prOmenaded about
the ladies' waiting room. mutually adj
mirlng each other and INDUCING in
those little ELUSIVE Outbursts of atfec-
ton which make them appear like wing
less angels, and it does seem a veriJable
pity to see so much sweetness wasting
ON the desert air.
[ sauntered about idly watching the
various groups, and finally became con-
sciOus of attracting attention to myself.
A trip to the mirror assured me that |
looked as plain as usual, and that my
chambery dress. although neat and
spOtless, was yet quite unobtruslve.
What could it be?
After some minutes of suspense, l
heard a YiyaciOns young lady saw:
80 look at that reporters badge; isn't
that Just too cute! She can go any
where and just have lovely time She
Just looks around and hears things and
don't have to do any work."
1t was the badge. not |, that attracted
attention. That girls delightful ignO-
rance and enthusiasm about reporters
and their duties was quite refreshing.
The grand rush for the train prevented
my hearing any more fanciful remarks.
The trip to the race course was made in
ears which were literally "antiuue.n
and not any more comfortable on that
account. OdOrs of departed emigrant
luggage hung about the faded plush
cushions. The windows and blinds
slipped their fastenings with bang and
came down Just as the train started.
During the short trip to the fair grounds
the gOOd-natured passengers amused
themselves by holding up the windows,
losing their tickets and chasing flies.
The conductor was the only man who
didn't look happy.
The grand stand was crowded when
I reached the main entrance. although
it was yet twenty minutes before the
time set for the first race. l laid my
conspicuous badge away, bOUghta palm
leaf fan, an official programme and a
package of Honolulu chewing gum. then
watched for a good seat. The grand
stand is not fitted up with opera chairs.
1t struck ME that a seat by one of the
upright posts would add to the COM
fort Of one who is not graduate of the
Jenness-A Miller school Of physical culture
and consequently still conscious of pos
sessing a spinal column. My coveted
place. being Just back of the
Judges stand. had already been
annrOnriated bV three prettV VOunU
misses. who came with papa, you
know" Papa looked bored and pres
entity meandeTed down to the pool sell
ers to wager his loose cash on the favor
lite horse. Hardly had he disappeared
when the demure misses we're cordially
greeting two young chappies who had
presumably come with mamma: for I'm
sure no careful matrOn would for an III
slant think of letting those combina-
tiOns of plaid trousers, silky mustaches.
giddy ties and cumbersome canes go
about all by themselves. They must
have accidentally escaped her watchful
care. The whole group moved off to
find some field glasses. l appropriated
the good seat and busted myself watch
ing the various types of st. Paul girls
who filled the grand stand. making itan
amusing place to spend an hour, even if
there we're no exciting races yet to come.
There was the Jockey girl. She goes
10 young ladies' seminary at the Droper
season, and spends her vacation vibrat-
ing between Minnetonka. the races and
the base ball games-that is, all the
time that her mamma will let her spend