The morning call., 1894-02-26
Denies That She Was Shocked at
the FeStaI Board.
THE STORY BRANDED AS A LIE.
Society Women on This Side of the
Bay Say There Is No Gossip
at LunCheonS.


through an incident which it is charitable
to say was misunderstood. 1t originated
in the Lakeside SET" which comprises
Oaklaud's upper ten and has an affinity
with social leaders in this city. So the dis
agreeable suspicion spread until there are
many prominent ladies on both sides of
the bay who wear looks OF concern and
affect horror at the thought.
There is little doubt now that an esti-
mabIe lady's motives were either mistaken
or became so distorted by this very gossip
itself that surmises have been stated for
facts with a result remindfui of the bow
who became so accustomed to lying that
he at last believed his own uniruths. But
whatever may be the merits of the story.
it has presented this question at society's
expense.
A rumor has been going the rounds in
Oakland's four hundred TO the effect that
Mrs. Charles Webb Howard arose from
the table al a select luncheon in the home
of Mrs. a. a. PennOyeT, on Alice street,
and left the house because the ladies pres
ent gossiped about their acQuaint ances.
This happened to be serious affair, as
the most prominent society ladies were at
the luncheon. 1t is known that Mrs. Rob-
ert Watt, Mrs. ii. Z. LiyermOre. Mrs.
Henry ChadswOrth, Mrs. A. p. Brayt0n,
Mrs. A. J. Ralston. sMrs. Prentiss Selby,
Mrs. Elsie Gregory Mrs. j. Z. McElrath,
Mrs. Durham and Mrs. Spear were pres
ent. AS the story goes Mrs. HOward'S at
tltude regarding gossip is fixed and ex-
alted. and because the company failed to
observe her well-knOwn maXims she with
drew Indignantly. Mrs. Howard attended
the luncheon and did leave early. Then it
was said she left because ladies INDUCED in
gossip.
That the story is true Mrs. Howard in
dignantlY denies. my answer to it can
be given very emphatically in word of
three letters-l-i-e," she said with a good
deal of feeling yesterday.
Mrs. PennOyer paid a visit to Mrs, How
ard IN the afternoon. when conversation
turned upon the newspaper accounts OF
the luncheon incident. Both ladies were
as friendly as ever, and both had COM
mon grievance. Still there is no eruption
in the select circle near Lake Merritt. for
explanations satisfactory to all concerned
have been given. Only gossip is 30 blame
for giving birth TO the story.
Il accepted an invitation from Mrs
Pennoyer to attend luncheon" said Mrs.
Howard, but it was on the understa nd
ing that | should leave in time to keep a
previous engagement at . o'clock. But
never thought of leaving abruptly for the
reason stated by some person who knew
no better"
AS no explanation was given for Mrs
Towards withdrawal the guests felt con-
gerned. Then the incident created gossip
and eventually reason appeared, plaus-
lble enough but without the very main es-
sential of truth.
BY putting together this fact with that
suspicion wrong conclusion was reached
But what could the refined and sensitive
ladies think? The trouble was Mrs. PEN
meyer forgot to state that her highly
esteemed friend had been kind enough TO
attend the reception although it necessi-
tated her hurrying away 10 another en-
gagement that afternoon.
Out of all this one fact seems to have
Deen enthusiastically had INDUCED
in gossip. and gossip being impulsive is
liable to err on the wrong side. But who
is the gossip? The absorbing question in
Oakland is, Who gossips? Does society
gossip?
That Mrs. Howard's name should be
connected in this way with an unpleasant
matter has caused her much ANNOYANCE
and torment. Ladies understanding her
high ideas and her solicitude on behalf of
society in its broadcast sense feel az
grieved.
Mrs. Edward Martin. when seen last
night at the home of her sister, Mrs. Peter
Donohue, on Bryant and Second streets.
and asked if she had seen the account of
Mrs. Charles Webb Howard leaving the
luncheon Of Mrs. Pennoyer given at her
Oakland home, on account OF gossip being
INDUCED in by the ladies, as published In
IHE CALL, replied:
Yes; we have just a moment ago
ceased discussing it,"
well, is it customary for ladies' at
luncheon to engage in gossip concerning
their ueighbors"
mo, indeed il is not; at least it never
has been at any luncheon that | have at
tended. have been at a great MANY of
them. and can say that at none have /
ever heard what would be called gossip"
AT luncheon is it a custom to speak
OF or indulge in conversation regarding
absent friends ?"
We'll, OF course ladies are not inclined
TO SIT still without some entertaining sub
Ject to occupy their time. Friends names
may De mentioned in connection with some
subject, but not in the light of gossip"
would the mentioning OF friends
name be liable to lead up to a criticism of
the acts or manners of that friend?"
mo, / would say it would not, for If IL
did that would be gossip, and, as I said
before, that is not INDUCED in at those
little gatherings"
SHOULD these conversations lead I'D tn
gossip, would you consider ii proper for
any lady to withdraw from the company?"
II certainly should, or from any com
pany engaged in gossip"
Miss Aileen Goad was seen at her home.
corner of Washing ton and Cough streets
and asked for her opinion regarding Mrs.
Towards action.
"Mrs. Howard is very dear friend of
mine, and | really do not wish to say any,
thing about the matter"
But Regarding the practice of ladies en-
gagiDg in gossip at luncheons would Won
say whether or not it IS the case. Do they
gossip"
mo, not to any considerable extent"
do you mean by that that gossip to
some extent is the factor az luncheon
parties?"
well. now that entirely depends on
what you call gossip. Nowadays every
thing, except politics and religion. is called
gossip"
do ladies at Iuncheons speak of friends.
their faults and habits in lieu of other
topics?"
''They talk pleasantly about their friends
in the course of ordinary conversation.
but it is not a custom to make any CONVEX
saton regarding them partake OF the form
of gossip"
HARES AND HOUNDS.
Lively Coursing at the Ocean View
Park.