The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-15

who is that womanf' gentleman asked
me one evening not long ago at full dress
reception. The inquirer was a man of af-
fairs, man who had seea the world, but
doubt II ever in his whole career as a diplo-
matist he ever had occasion 70 elevate bis
nose to quite such an angle.
The woman in question was not far from
90 years u age, had been married five
times, and because Of her money and the
smartness Of her vulgar career had kept
corner OF society, which made il impossible
not TO meet her on certain occasions She
was painted and powdered 10 the last de-
gree Of facial establishment, but this fres-
Going had only served to emphasize her
wrinkles and the other marks of age She
wore white silk gown-a Worth, or a
Felix, l do not know whfch-wtih
lace that was priceless. and jewels that were
fabulous. Her husband. a sensible and fine
looking man, accompanied her. and ap-
peared to be quite proud of the effect of the
most awful decollete gown that ever saw
In all my life, and have looked upon a
good many.
"Why, that is Mrs, - IrepIied "Is
it possible that you do not know hers Shall
l ask one OF the reception committee to in-
troduce youP'
God forbid" said my companion. sAnd
may ask, he added, "what you ladies can
be thinking of TO have such creature on
your llst Oh dcQualutdnCeSF
why, we can't help it,n I replied
THOSE who do not wish to know her are
more OF less in touch with those who see
much to admire in her character, and those
who are under obligations to her for fayors
received, and as these women are among the
best we have, what can we do? am not
sure that her style of dress is more pro-
nounced than that of many of the wives of
our most distinguished men at home and
ahr
dinner party there will be ten women to
this one in a similar condition.
Perhaps" was the contemptuous an
swer, but this woman is vulgar to the
marrow Of her bone. She is not, she can
not be. possessed Of a single womanly
quality. loathe the fashion under all CIR
cumstances, but it remains for New York
woman to furnish the browning instance Of
deoollete depravity. / wouldn't have had
my daughter here tonight fer $5,OOO.n
Could he have said more of the worst
place in the land, and this was one of the
most brilliant and high>toned receptions.
respected that man. Five minutes later
saw him taking leave. His spiritual
stomach had been turned, not only on &C
count of this exponent Of vulgariSy, but be-
cause decent women would be seen in her
company. l belonged to the com-
pany, but not to her coterie,
and yet l was under the ban,
could not help recalling story once heard
told of Daniel Webster, who had deep
rooted aversion to the decollete. A lady
who was very stylish" and who always
appeared whenever she could consistently
do so, in very low neck and bodice and
short sleeves. once appealed to Mr.. Webster
for help in some suffrage scheme for
women. The distinguished lawyer treated
her with such scant civility that she asked a
friend-a gentleman-to try and find out
what was the matter.
"Enough's the matter, )" said Mr.. Webster,
when woman who hasn't brains enough
to cover her nakedness comes whimpering
to me about the ballot for her sex. Mrs.
--- was a most unfortunate representa-
tive" ELEANOR KIRK