The record-union., 1894-03-31
From Letters of a Sacramento Girl in Paris
to Her Parents.

From Letters'of a Sacramento Girl in Paris
to Her Parents.
PARIS, March 4.-Thursday was the
grand fete of Mi-Careme. A finer sight
never saw. The Mardi-Gras was nothing
compared with this.
Fortunately the day was bright and
clear and as mild as May day; very
welcome, as we have been having gray
days. About 2 o'clock the procession
passed right in front of our windows, so
we did not have to get into the crowd to
see it; and such a crowd as it was The
broad sidewalks were packed to suffoca-
ton, and the streets and boulevards were
cleared of vehicles, and then filed with
surging masses. During two and half
hours the procession was passing US, and
the interest never abated for an instant.
The students of Paris and all the wash
houses get up the parade, and they make
a very creditable showing.
There is a queen chosen among the
blanchisseuses, who receives a great
many honors. She is chosen for her good
behavior and for her good looks. The
President gives her dOwry that is en-
viable, and her companions give her
white satin gown and trousseau, while
some OF the big newspapers here give her
handsome jewels. She was seated on a
gorgeous throne, surrounded by her
maids of honor, and she received great
deal Of admiration.
The students display was entirely diff
ferent; naughty, but nice. OF course, it
is a Well-known fact that a student is
never received by any decent people; that
they are the most openly immoral class
of people on the earth, so you can inn
agine that their display was not as re-
fined as it might have been. They had
ballet girls, street characters, old women
and great many ridiculous costumes,
but there were some which were very in
structive and amusing. For instance,
they had the costumes of the students
from Richelieu's day until the present
day. Now they do not wear any particu-
lar costume, although you can always
tell one when you see him. They had
King of the Carnival, soldiers OF all the
ages from the twelfth century, and a
King Bourbon. The latter was an effigy
and was burned that evening.
After the procession had passed and
the crowd had scattered we ali went out
together on the boulevard, and threw
confetti at everyone we knew. There
was still too great a crowd TO start any
jolly battles, and so the afternoon was
not as gay as on Mardi Gras. We stopped
at a large cafe and had some lemonade,
and returned home. In the evening it
was much gayer, and fortunately we saw
better class or citizens and costumes.
Cousins Ruth and Donald were as happy
as any two children could be. We had
worked very hard and got up for each
little costume which we consider success
tul. Ruth was a little Dutch girl In her
wooden shoes, red skirt and black bands,
W hite apron with red ribbons, white full
waist, aud black velvet girdle. Aunt
Kate had bought one Of the frames which
ord i'm aQY Y1090Q q hQQ6-
dress for Juffrow Ruth.
Donald was ''fou" fool, with start
ling suit of yellow and black sateen hung
with bells. a pretty cap and a FOOLS
baton in his hand finished him off in fine
style There were very many children
in fancy costume-hOw l wish Toots
could have seen them Little brides and
grooms, ballet dancers, Pierrots and Pier
rettes, little soldiers and paysannes-in
fact they were gotten ny in thousand
different costumes.
The trees on the boulevard are so gay
with the serpentines, the long ribbons,
which were thrown on Thursday. They
damage the trees, for they prevent the
young buds from pushing forward, but
the sight is pretty.
Saturday evening we had little fancy
dress dance IN our clearinghouse, and [
tried TO trim the rooms with these serpen-
tines, bat l could not arrange them so
'
the wind blows they f1utter and wave,
and give one an idea of fairy trees.
For our traveSty ball l took the cos
,ume of 'Mignon." 1t was simple and
effective. l put my hair up in papers for
twenty-four hours, and then let it hang
in loose curls. 1t is funny the way these
foreigners, in the most natural and child
ish way, stand and compliment girl for
fifteen minutes. l had invited Nellie
SiddOns, and she came as Carmen"
black lace dress and red roses. She did
look pretty, and charmed all the people
Of the house.
PARIS, March BY Yesterday afternoon
the whole family, including NJ. and Nine.
Ayme, went out to the Jerdin d. Acclima-
tation and had u regular foreign holiday.
Arriving at the edge of the Bois we got
into a little railway train, consisting OF
two light cars drawn by the smallest
horses imaginable. They went so fast;
my, how they whiZzed along!
We saw the first leaves coming out and
saw the ground so green and fresh.
Some people were rash enough to sit in
the grass, which was risky, though it
looked very springy and refreshing.
We saw all the birds, fishes, dogs and
rare animals, and saw in big field some
of our little prairie dogs.
There was a large conservatory, with
some valuable plants in it, very artistic
ally arranged, yet the show did not come
up to one OF our California gardens. Then
we came TO the elephants, camels, horses
and donkeys The wild idea came into
our heads that we wanted to ride an ele-
phant, so tickets were gotten and Aunt
May, Donald, Ruth and | cliInb bed up on
top of an elephant. Try to imagine this
family party kicking their heels over the
side OF an elephant or sitting with grin
ming faces in a howdah or punkah, or
whatever you call it.. After this escapade
we went to a cafe and had big cups OF hot
chocolate all around and a cake, then
came home. We had a dollars worth OF
pleasure, but the entire expense was only
1orty-four cents apiece.
Saturday l did the greatest deed of my
life; | bought two dresses. | ordered
made dark blue serge, which l shall
wear for travelling. 1t is a fine piece Of
serge, will have black soutache braid on
the waist and skirt, will be lined with
new kind of silk, that is warranted not TO
split: there will a handsome blue serge
jacket lined with surah to go with it.
The other dress Is q street suit or a call
ing gown. 1t is light gray, with white
vest, lapels, collar and cuffs. When | get
the hat I will wear it before the camera,
and send you a picture of your ugly
duckling." The dress is 10 be lined with
silk, waist and all. The material and
style will be of the best.
[ am going to have fine chance to
wear it on Friday night. Then Sybi
Sanderson makes her debut at the Grand
Opera 10 "rhais," the opera that Mas
senet wrote for her, and we are going.
Last evening we called on Miss Gertrude
Auld. She is living in an American
home and studying under Nine Mar
chest. The latter is to give her concert
at the British Embassy next week, and
of course we hope she will make a sue
cess of it.
Shall l buy some things here for my
new hahv brother? The Eranch babies