Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-07

made up his mind TO accept theineitation.
when horrible thought occurred TO him.
suppose Colonel j. Catlett Gibson or some
OF the other Older members should get up
on the floor and mako fun OF him after the
bali was over How they would ridicule
his white silk pants and his delicate finery.
The very idea frozo the youthful legisla-
tors blood. lie pictured the twinkle
IN Colonel Gibson's eyes as he poured
forth his words OF good-humored derison.
Tho thought was too much. The plucky
little statesman decided that " discretion
was the better part Of valor." so he did not
dance. But gallant Young member OF
the "dignifed Senate" did. He not only
danced in the Saraband. but he danced
beautifully and looked positively pretty
no other word will express n. This sena-
tor had courage, and although he doubt
less apprehended the coming storm he
took his chance. Nearly week passed by
and not a single member Of the upper
branch commented upon his public ap-
pearanco in those beautiful short pants.
The incident seemed 10 have been forgot
ten but Thursday the storm burst. and
Cyclone jim was the man who started
the tempest. lie fairly tore those satin
clothes TO pieces IN his forvid oratory and
words Of ridicule. Tue other member OF
tho General Assembly who didn't dance
the Saraband now cbuckies in ehouliest
glee. -
Society has been unusually active this
year. SO active IN fact that / have fire.
ouently had occasion to borrow my neigh
boris best clothes and SO forth in my Off
oial capacity 20 view the frivolities Of
mankind and womanknd. Whether az a
german, a dance. or reception. i ALWAYS
keep an eve on the weaker sex" IL IS
not q suspicious eye, but an optical organ
of the most intense admiration. As some
gorgeous belle fits by Inc gasp in amaze:
ment and delight. and adore every inch OF
the crepe de chine or lie which sdorns
her fair fOrm-nay. ] even worship the
roses which mingle their fragrance with
tine bloom Of youth. q never look at OLD
ladies.) But III this lovely world OF
fashion, IN which / am sometimes
allowed 10 enter. l wonder If there
be much intellect--much stability OF
character and much genuine merit.
There are 80 many pretty faces, bright,
happy. and smiling. and yet, what does
closer investigation yieldf ! viii not say,
but LET me speak IN favor of the sensible
Girl, who, after taking on her party gown,
eau converse easily and connectedly ana
show her familiarity with current events.
These intellectual ones are not always
PLAIN and unattractiye. On the contrary,
some of the leading society belles-a mi
gent as possible. j can recall no moro Mt
ting illustration of this class than Hiss
Martha Bagby. She comes from q dis
tingushed family. and Is daugh-
ter OF the late DR.. George w. Bsgby:
Though prominent IN society. and
universally popular, she has by no
means neglected her education. Upon
eyery- subject she cOnyerses fuently.
Whether amidst the whirllng waltz OF at
reception or public gathering she always
has something GDr0pDs 70 say-somethlug
bright aud sensible But. after all, some
times think her intellect almost super
huous. 1t would be a pleasure to visit
her, even though she maintained strict
silence. for she Is strikingly pretty. and
one can always derive pleasure from mere
Iy looking at her. Her figure, though
yetiie, Is wonderfully graceful, while her
face. at all times handsome, Is an index OF
her character aud brightness. Miss Basoy,
whether III Richmond society, az the
watering-places, or elsewhere, has always
won that recognition and prestige which
/ consider 50 justly due. 10 the bright,
pretty. sensible society girl.
-
II is conceded that the ladies' reception
given by the Westmoreland Club last We'd
nesday evening, was by far the most bril-
liant affair known to the history of that
exclusive organization. OF course, | am
not now gong TO Tewrlte an account OF
that beautiful event, but do want 70
give credit where It is due. II was by far
the hest managed "bign entertainment
that has been given IN Richmond IN many
wears. Every detail had been carefully
planned and every plan was perfectly ex-
ccuted This - largely due TO the I'M
ceasIng efforts of the Executive Commit
tee. which consisted OF Messrs. Otway >.
Allen. G. d. Lapghorne, and Thomas
rutherford, who had general charge OF all
arrangements for the reception. Even on
the evening OF the affair the peerless man
ners Of the first-named gentleman were
spoken of by nearly every one. Good
uatured-and- always jovial "Chelli Lang
horne was in his brightest humor, and
what can be said of sedate Mr.. luther
ford? Why. he was one OF the most agree
able of hosts. and all OF the pretty ladies'
had a smile for him.
A few days ago a friend called my at
tention 10 the striking resemblance be-
tween DR.. NJ. J.. James aud the Hon. James
G. Blaine. / had often noticed the emf
nept Richmond physician and somehow he
always worried me, for he reminded me OF
some one and / could not think who 1t
was. do not know whether any acquaint-
ance has ever told the Doctor OF hls like
ness 10 the "Plumed Knight or whether
he would take II "a compliment II he
were 80 informed, but II seems 10 me he
OUGHT TO feel hattered jimmy certain
ly has fine face, and although | am one
of the "unterrited Democrats" Unjust ad-
init that L consider him man OF great
apilitv. TIE IDLE REPORTER.
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