Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-08
1.-THE STAY-AT-HOMES,
They Find Pleasure in Remaining in
Washington All Summer.
How Some Ladies' Manage to Get Comfor,
and Enjoyment Even II They Don't
Go to the Seaside.

; all right SO far and any lapses in its good be-
havior are, at all events not one bit worse than
anywhere else. Last weeks cool breezes gave
everybody reserve strength to face the more
heated atmosphere Of the present week, andits
a poor philosopher who could not strike an
average Of great comfort and satisfaction out
OF the combination.
A majority Of the members Of the stay-at-
home club are so by necessity, but many are
by choice. These are the folks whose opinions
are worth having on the desirability of Wash
ington a summer resort Ones social posi-
ton in this city does not depend on how many
months you are out Of town. There Is an es-
sence of Ro-as-you-please in this atmosphere
that probably does not exist in the same degree
in any other city in this country. One potent
reason for 1t is doubtless found in the fact that
many officials are obliged to stay, and their de-
voted families remain to keep them company.
in the front rank Of society at Newport or Bar
Harbor, 1t makes no particular change in your
standing when the clans gather home in the
fall. That is what braces up the faltering
spirits of the stay-at-homes when they read Of
the gay doings Of their next door neighbors
ut the summer circles Of fashions devotees.
SUMMER PROGRAMS VARY.
Washington society has plenty such and is
proud Of it, are exasperated with their rich
friends, who can travel and will not, because,
as they say, they can get more pleasurea at homo.
30 now what constitutes the pleasure of society
when 1t spends the summer In Washington?
Just as the degree Of heat that person feels
depends entirely on the condition Of the blood,
so do the summer programs vary. Some peo-
pie find their pleasure In absolutely doing moth
NHrv 49,. -
rest OF the year they can be relied upon to keep
quiet for these two months. II they are not
compelled to 60 abroad on bread-winning ex-
petitions their public appearances are pretty
well limited to the front door step in the even
ings.
their hands in the summer are wild to employ
every moment of 1t to the best advantage. You
see them chasing around the stores after the
deusive bargain or they at the libraries
hunting up authorities, or they are at homo
deep in reading.
How SOME WOMEN PUT IN THEIR TIME.
One of the prettiest women in the congress
sional circle always remained here with her hus-
band during the long summer sessions, and she
managed to keep cool and pretty, well occupied
and thoroughly satisfied with her surroundings
as if she were facing the breakers at Newport.
She was very systematic about it, too. Keep
early morning market trirs each week. On the
alternate days she spent two hours or 80 at q
Turkish bath. The afternoon hours she was
invisible. A white wicker furnished sitting
room. SO situated rs to catch such cooling
breezes as were going and temptingly supplied
with the latest magazines and books. was where
she really spent the time. When the House sd-
tourned her husband found her waiting for him
In light carriage, she daintily arrayed in the
most fetching, but. at the same time, the SIM
plest Of cotton dresses, with null hat. An
early dinner and country drive were regular
features and then balcony gathering Of friends,
the conversation broken at intervals for cooling
drinks to be passed around, was the special
attraction Of this house. Nothing but a rain
storm ever spoiled this latter feature Of their
Washington summer.
Another lady who stays here all summer be-
cause she can't help herself finds enjoyment In
making up all the new linen her house will
require for the next year. She il always busy
and never hot because she does not have time
to think about it. She makes beautiful en-
broidery when the other work becomes monot-
onous and at the end Of July and August her
linen closet is the envy Of all her acquaintance
SUBURBAN RAILROAD EXCURSIONS
Since the suburban railroads became so
numerous the enjoyments OF the stay-at-homes
have been greatly increased. Two or three
years q 60 only those who had carriages knew
anything of the beauties of the environs Of this
city. Now a quarters worth Of street car
tickets opens up great possibilities for willing
away an hour or two on q hot evening It
might seem strange to many people who know
all about every new enterprise that there are
others who know little or nothing Of either the
number or the routes traversed by the suburban
railroads. Two ladies who have plenty of horses
and carriages are afraid Of accidents that
their coachmen were always warned to avoid
any neighborhood where the electric or cable
car lines run. They wanted. however, to improve
their knowledge Of the geography Of the neigh
borhOods over which the electric roads 60
whizzing and they have been giving their morn
ings to this enjoyment lately. They have done
the Glen Echo, Bethesda, Chevy Chase and
Silver Spring routes and have yet the ride to
Mount Vernon before they feel that they have
accomplished all the wonders possible
in the way Of home sightseeing.
Great larks these suburban trips can
be made. too. on moonlight nights or even nights
when there is no moon. A jolly party were do
ing the Glen Echo ride on last Monday night
The lightning paralyzed the motive power, and
for an hour SO, until connection was made
again, the occupants OF two cars, like babes in
the woods, had to entertain themselves the best
they could telling stories and giving swaps.
PORCH PARTIES.
The front porch, and the back one, too, for
that matter enters lar gely, and always did, into
the summer life Of the capital. The balcony
salon is a greatly enjoyed institution, and par
ticularly so among the oldest resident families
Some houses are very popular in this regard
You are sure to meet charming people, who
know how to tell good story, and the amount
of general gossip and information after one Of
the evenings is something marvellous.
REAL ESTATE SHOPPING.
There is another source Of employment for
leisure hours that several clever ladies are
working for all it is worth. They desire to
make investments in real estate or they want to
select q site for a home. The first step is to
let the real estate dealers know these warnings
and they will take care Of the rest. One lady
in particular-but the conditions would prob
ably fit fifty who are busy on the same quest
has determined that this summer will not 20 by
without her securing q home such as she de-
sires. Naturally, as she 10 regarded as a good
purchaser, owners and dealers in ideal homes
are showing her lots Of attention. She il being
driven around day after day by one or the
other, and while she has not yet found the
exact thing she wants. she is fast becoming a
compendium of information as to sites and
values in land and styles and fancies in archi-
lecture.
This time next month the population will be
considerably augmented by Congress and those
who come in its train. The most Of this influx
comes unwillingly and nobody blames them.
For Westinghouse summer Congress always
makes hot weather hotter. because the weather
becomes such a never-failing sourch Of CONVEX
sation. Toall these legislators Washington offers