The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-05-18

Don't think that always get up as late as
this" said Mrs. Senator Davis. as she came down
in a soft morning gown of black damasse to greet
a HERALD writer few mornings ago. 1t was
about II o'clock, and the caller had been kept
waiting q few minutes, as the maid explained,
because madame had but just risen, and had not
finished dressing when the card was taken up to
her.
when have been out or up late the night
before" Mrs. Davis continued smilingly, VI take
my beauty sleep in the morning. Usually rise
at an hour ~ ost people would consider unearthly.
get up at 3, breakfast at 6, and when the morn
ings are fine am off for canter IN the SUBURBS
with couple of gentlemen-old gentlemen, as
sure you,'' the lady fastened to add, with lively
smile and twinkle in her dark eyes. Besides,
their wives and daughters are always OF the
party. We gallop away over the hills, along
Rock Creek, or to Great Falls even, and can
assure you it is glorious exercise these deli
.ciousy cool spring mornings. L am an enthu-
siastic horsewoman, and often tire out my COM
panions before we get back"
do you belong to the riding school CLASS!
the reporter asked.
mot much | am an old rider, and can take
moderate ditch. am ambitious to ride cross
country after the hounds and vault over fences
with the boldest and best of them-and mean
to do it soon, too Therefore, do not belong to
the riding class. have ridden for years, learn
ing in the open, on the boundless prairie. AS Tor
riding in a ring, I couldn't be induced to descend
to it, and the speaker shook her head with
charming air of mock scorn.
The rich black morning gown which Mrs. Davis
wore fell in graceful folds about her figure, the
full beautiful curves and outlines of which were
now and again revealed to the fascinated eye as
she grew animated in conversation and the soft
fabric was drawn more tightly here and there as
she moved from side to side or raised her arms IN
gesticulatiOn. Little bows and splotches or vel
low ribbon disposed carelessly here and there
Trr, 1hrnI1 a.
the richness of her complexion and brought out
in clearer contrast the bit of white throat which
was disclosed. As she described the delights OF
her morning gRllops over the country roads
Mrs Davis's dark eyes sparkled with animation,
and the natural rose-glow in her cheeks grew
deeper still.
~ believe in hand-shakipg," the lady said, the
conversation having wandered off to subject
which has been much discussed in society the
past winter. Il think can read character from
the way in which people take my hand in greet
ing. like Washington society,"" she continued,
in answer to question. II have not been dlsap-
pointed in it, I have found it charming, and
have enjoyed myself thoroughly this season.
"Of course, am fond of young girls" Mrs.
Davis went on, by way of answer to remark of
the reporter, land made up my receiving parties
mostly of them; but this was not wholly because
| prefer them to matrons. When was a young
girl nv father lost his property, and was denied
the pleasures of society just at the time of life
when they are lost eagerly longed for found
that cou!d longer keep my place IN the
circles to which had been accustomed, and it
was a bitter experience. So l resolved that
If ever were as fortunately situated as some
women knew and know, would make it my
object to afford girls who might otherwise be
denied them the social opportunities from which
had been cut Off know that some of the
Young women who made up my receiving par
ties the past winter were not drawn from official
nnn OFT fha hrip of
them was the daughter of a lady whom loss OF
fortune had compelled to take position in
Government Department. and another, as sweet
beautiful and modest girl as ever lived. was
the daughter of an old friend of mine, also a
Department clerk. But these girls We're accom-
plished, intelligent, and charming; and chose to
choose my companions, and claim the right to do
''Do you know the lady continued, while a
smile of amused siggni1eafpce played over
came TO me one day last winter and told me as
piece of news these things about the girls
have been telling you, as II did not know it ALL
She actually began to demonstrate with me about
the matter, but quickly informed her that was
not to be iectured on my social obligations by
any one, from my own or any other State That
closed the discussion once and for all I"
the tak FREY IN more ire 6e noar pc f
morning gown which Mrs. DAVIS wore.
This Is my Lenten gown" she SAID. VI AFFECT
black 1t is one of my faVorite cOlors. White is
the other and an orange ribbon seems its natu-
raj decoration to me. But come up into my
show you something that may interest you still
more 1t is still in its winter dress"
The room was exceedingly pretty III its decora-
tion; one feature was almost startling at first
glance. The graceful dressing-c ease and chest of
drawers were of light wood while in the strong
est contrast was the deep black drapery of the
high posted brass hedstead. On the fold of the
black silk sheet and on each square pillow, dan-
tily worked in wash embroidery, a mono
gram of orange hue. AS may be imagined to
an eve accustomed to the snowy whiteness of the
ordinary bed drapery the effect was striking,
"In winter | sleep in black -draped bed al
ways" she said, "and my Gowns match in color.
They are Bishop gowns of soft India silk, and
two of them will outlast half dozen white mus
lin and lace night-dresses."
All of Mrs. Dayiss winter underwear is of
black silk, with orange trimmings. She wears
long black stockings, (really tights,) a black
satin corsage over a black ribbed silk vest. and a
thick black satin petticoat with narrow pleated
ruffe on the bottom.
"You dom know how convenientand econOmi-
cal this dress is. 1t can't be beat for either I!
Last year / went with n Senatorial party to Cali
fornia I carried two suits of black silk through
out In case Of accident would not look like Il
ghost and feel ashamed OF myself, and the dirt
shook off of my clothes, while ii clung persist
entity to the skirts and underwear Of my lady
companions, who We're never as neat as they
wished TO be, hutwere always changing clothing.
When we stopped for rest and repairs 10 ward
robes in the shape of laundry work the Immense
advantage OF my simple washable black SILK un-
.derwear became apparent. A laundress could
into shape, and almost dispense with the iron,
fl.t 9th la1 hoH