Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-11-28
ST. LOUIS, GAlETIEs.
An Interesting Letter From Weat Vir-
ginia Lady.

An Interesting Letter From West Vir-
ginia Lady.
ST LOUIS, November "a.
To De Editor of1le Register:
SRA person coming from Wheeling
to S.. Louis cen but wonder al the vast
difference between persons and things some
ak hundred miles change of locality can
make. In the former place, the steady
workings Of trade 10 on quietly, day by
fsy-in the latter, life is all rush aud
hurry aud excitement. Wheeling seems
almost Southern town in comparison 80
the Western go ahead" that Distinguishes
the "Qoeen Of the Mississippi"
Western il ia, emphatically, ana yet,
Sith a something about IL not common 10
o.her cities Of the West, az one would find
by comparing it with Chicsg) or Kansas
City This peculiarly is due, probably,
70 the French element still eXtant he.e,
clinging with cld-time conservatism to the
memories Of the past.
In early days, before the period Of rail
roads, ST. Louis was in the zsnith Of her
power The great steamboat lines, plying
up ard down toe Mississippi, opsned TO
Der ths gtest cotton sud sugar markets OF
the South, and established trade wide IN
proportions ard financially valuable to
her citizens Then followed the IRON sge,
the reign of the locomotives. Shorter
highways 10 the Est were found. River
trotis Was killed, and tbs city Tor awhile
was psralyzsd. 1t was from this shock
she had to recover. Slowly, however, the
uushirg, restless spirit Of the West has
crept in, and ST. Lous now stands large
citv. WITH future before her.
Tue old French quarters, with it narToW
streets and tall buildings, adds a pictur-
esQue clement TO the city, leaving ost o
hint If older days. New st. Louis is
striking ia cOntrast-brOad streets, stately
avenues aud pretentious dwellings.
But it IS hardly my purpose to dwell on
the business aspect OF the city alone.
would make my letter in some degree e
social one. Doubtless it would be Of 10
terest to the fair Wheeling bellies TO hear
some account of their Western sisters.
Strolling of a bright afternoon on Fifth
asd Sixth streets, the region Of the great
dry goods emporiums, one sees the fem
inine world "out shopping. Il is 3 pecu-
Esrity eff the St Louis woman that she
shops and shops. She is never done. And,
without q doubt, there is sufficient temp
tation ia the magnificent stores that abound
with every thing the feminine heart most
loves The windows, even, are visions OF
loneliness. Here displayed dainty six
and lacs uudergsrments ft for a princess,
over there, those silky nets and grenadines
and creue lisses with which Dame Fashion
drapes my lady's bali gown. 81. Louis is
CITY of tailor made women. Their street
gowns are made up in dark colOrs and con-
ventional styles. They wear the most
severe STYLE Of couture, and the most de
mure little Capotes above the sharply
pointed bang As a rule they are not
pretty, bat tall, handsome, strong, supple
looking women, walking with the same
quick -lcpg stride rs the men. There is
nothing delicate OF dainty about them
TGey e,joy a walk Of three or four miles,
they play tennis aud billiards, they roll
ten pins and dance all night without ia
ugue themselves.
Probably the best best place to view the
St. Louis woman is near the door OF SONS
large theatre at the close Of Saturday
matinee. she is there in full force, robed
In less conventional gowns. wearing Big
pic uresque hats, welding her lorgnetie
numerically on the admiring youth who
waits at the corner to see her pass.
The recent excitement here was the visit
of the Pan-American Congress, aud their
entertainment during their sOjOurn. They
did the city thoroughly, and were so teteo
and feasted that digestion stood in danger
of being forever wrecked. The writer a.
tended a reception given in their honor,
and surely South Americans are no lag
CARDS in the pretty arts Ct chivalry and
conversation. Sober looking men they are,
tut elegant aud Courteous. Finely edu
Gated men, too, speaking several languages
one little episode will serve to show that
$ iuth Americans are the equals if not the
,uperiors Of heir Northern brothers in the
art OF n sitsTy.
A Young debutan;e OF the pure blonde
tgoe. rohed in in gown Of white lisse,
was heard 70 ask an attache Of the Mexican
legation. Are you in favor Of 81. Louis
for The Worlds FAn?n "Ah, senOrita, "
he exclaimed, bending look Of undis-
euised admiration on the fower-like face
st. Louis has already the fqiret OF the
worlds fqir.n Pretty, wasn't itH And
rumor has it that the little golden head
tossed restlessly on It's downy pillows that
ni,bt. while visions of great dark eyes and
whispers Of soft Southern fattery disturbed
lbs cain repose. Ii isl question that asst
now ia disturbing the whole city. Will
St Louis get toe Worlds Fair? She will
work for it at aoy rate. Enthusiastic
meetings are held every day, and patriotic
cit'zsns have subscribed large sums Of
money. Sue proposes to offer Forest Park
probably one Of the most bsauh
fol parks in the United States,
aud nmoog the largest, cOmprisioR
thirteen bundled acres as a site for The
great international exposition. The claim
80 far % the West and South are concerned
iIs FOOD, but it is doubtfulif the East aoo
Northwest will allow so great prize to D,
snatched away from them. Such is the
degree Of hope prevalent that hotel men
and aTchitsc's, even now, sfe busy WITH
plans for the accommodations for the yisi-
tore ia 1892.
A word, e'er I close, 10 the fair SIX OF
Wheeling, with regard to the pretty AT
Homes so popular in larger cities. Tne7
are a source of wonderful convenience to
persons whose social duties are heavy
These attractive, informal weekly
receptions, with cup Of ter
or chocolate to chat over,
are so conducive to tbs gossip dear to the
feminine race. It is just the time 10 dis
cuss Mira KS tea, the latest rumored
engagements, and 70 critic.ss your neigh
bcr's gown. Adopt the custom. Somspy
hosiesses as Wheeling boasts CT should
make 10 q thorough success
fore ending this rambling epistle, lst
me remark that Front has reached st.
Louis and has bsen reviewed oy the wri-
Ter. ] will make 10 comments. l Will
merely say that Wheeling and her inhsb-
itants, be they workers in literature, edi'
tors Of the REGISTER, or engaged in manu-
featuring industries, are bound in the end
to come to tine Front LADY JANE.
WOODEN MILLS BURNED.
Huntington Has Costly Fire-The Iusur-
ance Small.