The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-05-31
GOSSIP OF THE GIRLS.
Alice Confides to Dear Louise the
Goings On in Washington.

What is left of society is giving itself to be-
nevolent work in the shape of strawberry
festivals, pound parties, ETC., for the benefit
of the young of the human race left to the
proverbially "cold charity" of the world. The
only excitement we can anticipate is the June
wedding season, when several ceremonious
ceremonies are on the cards. AS the most inn
portant preparation for the summer fitting,
the girls are getting up stunning wardrobes,
great In variety as well as number. The lat
ter point is essential, for many fresh changes
in summer gowns are de riguelr.
In the way of freshness, is there anything
more difficult to keep presentable than the
pretty suede shoes now so fashionables But
can impart to you valuable wrinkle in this
matter, and you will always have your pretty
little foot-coverings as dainty and fresh as
possible. Use gasoline-nothing is SO effect
i've for cleansing suede-and nothing is
cheaper About cents worth will cleanse two
or three pairs This is the rule: "Pour little
only at time in saucer Qt eyaporates
quickly and dip cloth therein. With this
cloth rub the soiled surface gently and every
trace of dirt will disappear. Gasoline is ex-
celent for removing the shiny look from we'll
worn black silk. There is no Objectionable
smell nor the slightest danger OF injury to the
most delicate shades of suede.
The Wanamakers have sailed away and the
announcement was made, as IL by request,
that London would not see the Postmaster
spend their time abroad at Carlsbad and Paris.
| don't see why Miss Minnie shouldn't have
chance to go ito London and see the queen"
and enjoy the entree to the American circle
settled there for the London season. Her
papa's money was and is being piled up In
the same trade In which Mr.. Letter amassed
his, and Mrs. and the Misses Letter have,
from all accounts. "auite fling" In London.
OF the New York Four Hundred Mr.. and
Mrs. William Waldorf Astor are the distin-
CHI aI foffu In
toric Lansdowne House, Berkeley Square, for
which Mr.. Astor pays rental of 5000
year. The Postmaster at Newport will find
things greatly simplifed this season, and his
letter-carriers and himself have much to be
thankful for. Mrs. w. w. Astor is reigning
over a house with history dating back to the
days of George III. 1t was once the home of
Lady Sarah Jersey, and there she held her
court with her three beautiful daughters, the
youngest of whom is said to have been the
very last bride ever married at Gretna Green.
If the shades of aristocratic Lady Jersey and
her daughters ever wander through the his
toric mansion they must see that the world
moves, when the descendants of the butcher
of Waldorf hold almost regal court in the
grand old house In magazine article
on s'The Bowery and Its Story" [ found the
following: "Henry ASHORE, or Ashdoor, as
his name was sometimes written, had come to
New York as Hesstan soldier under the
British flag, and when his term expired had
begun business in a small way as butcher,
having learned his trade in his fathers shop
at Waldorf. His younger brother cameghere
after the War of the Revolution. and the
world knew him before long as New York's
most adventurous and thriving man of bust
mes, founder of Astoria, and patron of Wash
ington Irving-the first John Jacob Astor.
In an humble way, Henry Astor, too,
achieved success. He had his residence on the
Bowery, where he lived quietly with his rosy
checked wife Dolly, Of whom he was 'accus-
toned to say: MY Dolly is de pink of de
Powery.' They had no children, and at his
death his property on the Bowery, then esti-
bequeathed to his nephew, William B. Astor."
1t is said that Mrs. William Waldorf Astor,
who was a Miss Paul, of Philadelphia, will
henceforth reside abroad permanently, as she
intends to make princes and prncesses of her
children Mrs. Letter, on the contrary, ap-
parently has not the same ''vaulting ambi-
tion," for 1t is understood that Mr.. Letter has
renewed the lease of the Blaine mansion for
two years, at the expiration OF which period
his own palatial residence on Dupont Circle
will have been completed. The foundation
has been commenced. The mansion will be
classic edifce in white marble and white
terra Gotta.
The Washington Club, for which long and
brilliant existence is predicted by its MEM
bers, is thus described by ruthless IoWn
Topics: 'sThe Washington Club is managed,
as everything else in Washington, by ring,
and is a strange Onpniunl gdtherin. OF blue
bloOdS and paryenus, the former being in an
attenuated minority, and only admitted or
tolerated because of their ability to pay
their fees and entertain. The makeup is al
most as striped as Wimodaughsis; but, SO far,
no colored women have made application for
membership" This, no doubt, will make the
members of the club smile.
Mrs. Mckee and Mrs. Russell Harrison will
soon sail away for their summer triumphs In
Europe. Mrs. Harrison and the Mckee
children will go to Cape May about the middle
of June, and old DIR. Scott is going in the
direction of the setting sun, to remain in the
far West all summer-so the Jersey mosqui-
toes will not have chance at him. Mrs.
Dimmick will probably be taken along to Cape
May 1t is yet matter of conjecture as to
the mountain resort at which the Presidents
family will wind up the season. The Presi-
dent, it is said, has ''put down his foot' on
Cresson, which did not please him last sum
mer. Mr.. and Mrs George w. Boyd were the
guests of honor Friday evening at White
House dinner, when Mrs. Harrison brought
around the festive board the members of the
Presidential party on the recent triumphal
trip to California, the glories aud delights of
which are a neVer-ending theme with the
Presidents family.
By next Decoration Day the Washington
and Arlington Railway Company will carry
hosts of visitors to the gates of the cemetery
The work ON this road is to be pushed for
ward rapidly, and thus beautiful Arlington,
which is a Mecca to us in this part of the
country, will be within easy and comfortable
reach. And we may hope in the near future
the same good things for pilgrims to the coun-
try's Mecca, Mount Vernon. Ever yours,
ALICE.