Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-03-15
,UR WASHINGTON LETTER.
CABINET DAY.

These many years, L nave WOnfeRe
why one goes 10 receptions nnd WY
one enjoys going. Bat it Is wonder ful,
the novelty of color ard brightness, The
lights ard shadows on tspestried walls,
the spell of human faces, and the mys
terry of hum IN voices, the contact with
the world of women in high public
places: women who toll all the year in
off ;e, counting loom and shop, fresh,
unspoiled rosy faces lovely daughters,
Just from the school room. filed with
the novelty of dances, teas and pretty
gowns; as birds love the spllngtime
and the sunshine, artists rave over the
atmosphere of a picture, but the very
atmosphere of faces can be felt.
Women covered with jewels, old In
pow der aud paint, frl2zes and bangs.
One hates to talk about them, but they
are everywhere in big cities, Even
senseless people must livel
Wednesday, the eighth of February,
WAS the LIST cabinet Day" of the sea-
son Homes were never lovelier nor
the decorations more beautiful. II l
could only send you a photograph of
the light, the odor, the sound of music,
tina tall vases Of American Beauty
roses, white lilacs and tulips, all as
they were that day, it woald thrill you
with joy On the darkest, stormiest, bit
terest March morning.
! Just how the ladies of tha Cabir ct
keep their faces So bright, their hands
so full of cordiality i'll the weary hand
shaking, their words so CHEEKY and
welcoming, one can't see; but they are
always the same, throughout the season
of official duties. If some of us were
to feel it a necessity, Gun tenlefs would
be ruined).
The weather was not beautiful but it
did not storm. The wids avenues and
streets we're filed with rushing car
riuges hurryIng from door to door, to
make sure of all the places, between
four and sixi In Washington people
walk in the middle of the streets, they
are so so much better than the best of
sidewalks in other cities. You see!
We chanced to begin with Mrs. Ell
kins. whose husband is the Secretary
of War. They live in the elegant house
built by Senator Palmer, and one of
the finest Ill the city. One passes
through the handsome hallway, hung
with illuminated drGpery; great stones
Of Tiffany glass, IN colors of ruby,
amethyst, emerald, and topaz, set ID
dark Persian cloth. This is draped
from the mantel and stairway in heavy
folds and lines. In color, like the Tiff
fany doors in the White House corrI,
dors
Mrs. Elkins is young and lovely, soft
llue eyes under very dark ashes, brown
waving HAIR and clear colorle s com.
plexion. Such merry, big dimples are
IN her cheeks that you want to hear
her talk long time. She is charming
in a social way, and we want to ask her
about her children, whose laughing
portraits hang on the walls. She says
''Oh, they are getting grown up.
Mrs. ElkIns wore a gown of soft grey
and mauve silk, and was assisted by
Mrs. John Drexel, of Philadel phis, he
was elegantly dressed in satin, witt
pearl trimmings.
Young lady de6utantes in pretty
empire gowns. sal at the table to serve
Iea and chocolate. White lilacs, lille:
of the valley, and maiden hair ferns
decorated the centre, and about the
table were fairy lamps, in pale greer
shades of silk.
The Virginia home of the Elkins
"HalIIehurst" is named by the
Secretary in honor OF his wife Halle
and with its ninety rooms, its vas
grounds and the personal supervision
of its mistress. is genuine home, an
the most delightful resort for the fam
lily and their hundreds of friends.
Adieux were spoken, not in hun
dreds, but in thousands. At the Vice
Presidents three or four thousand PeO
al IN OF &c
Morton, tall, distinguished and beau'i
full as she has ever been. Simply gra
cious and womanly, her carriage ant
her face, her hand shaking and smile
| are all to the ''manor born"
Mrs. Morton's gown was of pale pinl
! brocade and soft pink lace falling from
the throat and sleeves. Crystal trim
mings sparkled on the lace, and tn
rare family pearls-so famous in Pari
receptions-besmed softly around tn
. high neck of the gown. Mrs. Senate
, Hale and many prominent ladies wer
with Mrs Morton, receiving. "
, missed Mss Ei1th Morton, who wa
her mothers helper the week before
She is a tail, beautiful girl, with re
fined face of strength and character
This is her first year in society. an,
she is altogether unspoiled and girlish
but full of dignity.
Mr.. Morton stands in the secon
drawing room, assisting his wife IN tn
same cordial unaffected way. 1t
such pleasure to meet theml Ele
giant, as TO the public etiquette o thei
: honored position, showing the simple
] itv of "gentle folks" and the ease O
. association lit the noted people Q
the old world and the new. Every
, thing is in good taste; with a loya
! American bigness, which no other
country can boast?
Chinese and Turkish draperies
! creamy walls, many palms, softest rugs
, and easy chairs, quaint ornaments
from foreign lands; celebrated pictures
tempting books, a glowing wood fire
and one only has a glimpse of thi
rarely beautiful Interiorl When yo
see Mr.. and Mrs. Morton, on busines:
for magazines or newspaper work. m os
, terrific of all calls) you are given
seat by the Young American bov, VIII
: takes your card, and soon ushess 70
into the delightful library, where yo
, meet the Vice President or his wife, i
the simplest manner, receiving fror
them the most attentive, prompt re
, cognition. No red tape, but a genuin
: American welcome and you may, tn
l very next day, receive by mail or me;
serger the photograph or pictnr
asked for, with a cordial note write
: by MIR. Morton himselfl
The famous house on south stree
now occupied by the Postmaster Ger
ersl, was even more crowded tha
usual. On used to say, the Viii
1 ney's entertained with more elegance
t and unseldsh. unceasing hospitality
' than had ever been shown at the Car
p ital. The Frelinghuysons, Evart
and Arthurs were charming in hosp
talities in their home, but the warn
hearted, Democratic Wanamakert
gather around the fine old place, III
whole official and social life of Wasi
lngton. Crowds blocked the way, an