St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-23
The FAIR AT REST.
Society at Washington Takes
a Few Days Of Dolce Far
Niente.
The Minnesota Queens Have
Taken a Lively Hand This
Winter.
In the Number Of Entertain
ments the Windows Lead
the Northwest.
Mrs. Governor Merriam, Miss
Cook and Other Leading
Ladies.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-Lent has put
a sudden stop upon the wheels of So
cIety at the national capital. The sea-
son that has Just closed has been one Of
exceptional Quietude. 1t has been
marked with so many tragical occur
rences in high official circles that enter
tainments on a large scale have been
conspicuous by their absence. OF
course there has been the regular rou-
tine Of afternoon receptions and teas,
an occasional evening reception, the
regular assemblies, and a few presi-
dental receptions. Only two balls have
been given in private houses, those at
Madame RomerO's and the vice presi-
dents. Now that is all over, and the
wives and daughters of officials aud con-
gressmen are taking rest preparatory
to the Post-Lenten festivities, it may
be interesting to recall the position that
the "Reminiscences have occupied in
the social swim. If the Windows may
be called Northwesterners they take
precedence. Their house has not been
the scene of much gaiety. Mrs. Win
dom's receptions have invariably been
crowded with the motley throng that is
TO be found in the houses of all officials;
throng as cosmopolitan in its elements
as can be found anywhere in the world;
a throng composed of the most dis
finguished men and women in official
life, of all the members of the diplo-
matte corps, of the
WIVES OF CONGRESSMAN
from every state in the Union, with Oc-
caSlonally the congresSmen themselves:
of that peripatetic crowd, who are
known to nobody, but who 90 to every
house where there is anything to eat
and drink, imagining that i'll this way
they are getting into society. The
house of cabinet minister contains
more heterogeneous, because larger,
crowd on reception days than that of
any other official. A few quiet dinner
parties and one official cabinet dinner.
are the only social events of any i'm
portance that transpired at the
Window residence on Massachusetts
avenue. Every other cabinet min
ister's house has shared in this
paucity Of entertainment, the OBJ
vious reason being the clouds
that have descended upon cabinet cir
cles. Next in order of rank came Sen
atOr aud Mrs. c. K. Davis. The SEN
GRlOA lioC IIlCiC lOl SOClGlJs anu lldO
only appeared once or twice. He was
at reception at the postmaster gener-
ais, at Mime. Romero'S ball, at the vice
presidents reception and once at the
White house, and Oh a few occa-
sionS he and Mrs. Davis have
been to dinner parties. Mrs. Davis.
however, has been fully capable of
''doing the society act" for them both.
She is fond of society, and society is
fond OF her. Her receptions have al
ways been attended by large crowds.
She invariably succeeds in securing
half dozen pretty girls TO assist her,
and her house is one Of the most popu-
lar in the city. Almost every after
noon, except Thursday, when she is at
home, finds her out visiting. There are
so many calls that must be made, and
so many others to be returned, that the
duty becomes
ALMOST ARDUOUS.
Her intimate friends are numerous,
and her acquaintance legion; in fact,
1t is safe to say that few senator's wives
are as popular as Mrs. CuShman X.
Davis. Senator Washburn has not fig
ured much in society. He has few
intimate friends, and has confined him.
self chiefly to them, not caring to make
many new acquaintanceS. He has
always given hearty welcome to
any Minnesutans who have been to see
him and has endeayored to make his
house as pleasant as possible TO visitors.
Senator and Mrs. Gilbert A. Pierce have
succeeded in making for themselves
host of friends. Coming down here
comparatively unknown and taking a
house on Capitol hill, were not con-
duclve to making an extensive circle,
but they have overcome these obstacles
admirably, devotiug much of their time
on first arriving to making calls on the
wives of other senators. The Monday
afternoons on which Mrs. Pierce and
her charming daughter have received.
have always been signalled by crowd
of carriages at the corner Of North Cap
itol street and B street northeast. Their
pretty parlOrs have always been
thr0nged by select number of callers,
and the warm welcome given has en-
deared them to the hearts of many new
friends. Miss Pierce has sort of frank
and hearty manner, devoid of any trace
of affectatiOn;
HER PRETTY FACE,
lovely golden hair and bright blue eyes,
making her charming woman to look
at, and her easy flow of sparkling con-
VerSatiOn most attractive companion.
She displays some originality, too.
which is very taking in this city of
stereOtyped conventiOnality. Senator
and Mrs. Moody have also become very
popular. The senator has not gone out
much, but Mrs. MoOdy's receptions are
evidence of the fact that she has not
been derelict in the duty of calling.
Her charming home has been well filled
every Monday afternoon, and, assisted
by from two to six ladies. she has suc-
ceeded admirably in giving a warm well
come and hospitable entertainment to a
large circle of friends and acquaint-
ances. Mrs. Senator PettigreW has
generally received alone, but is capable
of entertaining number of people her
self. She has hot been out much.
but In the course of the '.duty calls''
incumbent upon her has gathered for
herself quite circle of intimate friends.
Mrs. Casey lives so far out OF town that
many people who have desired to call
have postponed their visits until late,
and consequently not got out that far.
Still the beautiful manor house of Cliff
burn, on the Columbia road. has been
the objective point Of long strings of
carriages every Thursday afternoon,
and all who have called have been glad
Of it, as their reception has been most
cordial. Capt. and Mrs. Snider. Though
new corners. have received vast
amount OF attention. Their beautiful
quarters at the Elsmere are so well
adapted TO entertaining that large num-
bers of people have been present on
several occasions without any incou
venient crowding. Mrs. Snider
KNOWS HOW TO ENTERTAIN
and her table is always spread with
most recherche lunch. Her guest.
Mrs. Greenleaf, of Minneapolis, has
contributed in large measure to the
pleasure derived from calling at the
Elsmere Her queenly presence and
gracious manner have made her vastly
nnnniar Mrs Snidnr hos nanarnlIu a :,