The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-12-13

4 those whose friends at home are enVylne
| them their Paris residence. observe
them skating round the rink. They know
they have not the American honest lib
erty, and yet they have not the deceit MOI
| the Imagination to pick up sly little So
laces in the French fashion. They skate
alone or with half dozen wooden En-
| glishmen, who do not hesitate to leave
them CURLY the moment the chance comes
| to pay their court to some French girl
they know by happy luck.
AMERICAN DRINKS POPULAR.
1t is the afternoon. The morning price
of 90 cents is now raised to 81 for these
hours of high society. The very walters,
busy with mixed drinks, swell and de-
mean themselves with even more prodi-
gious dignity, because Princess Eulalie
is now skating, because Lord Dutferin IS
going round and round.
Two things are noticeable. First, how
the ladies go for strong and mixed drinks
-sours, cocktails and other burners.
There was q time when it was thought
bad form in Paris to take these Ameri-
can connections. Just now it is high chic.
The circle of small tables round the ice
is handy to the prOmenaders and the
skaters. Each lady, each young bud of
high society, has her stiff drink upon a
handy table, where her mother sits, or
chaperOn or friend. "Garcon, another
cocktail, gin this time"
The second observation has to do with
the attendants, skating masters, very ele-
CANT in dark green fancy suits all edged
with astrakan. Knee brceChes give an
opportunity to show their splendid calves.
There are more than half a dozen; all are
men of fine appearance, strong, attractive,
sympathetic, watchful and cOmplaisant
1t is their work to skate with any lady
who desires them. COuntcsSes and even
prncesses desire them. Sometimes the
ladies skating with their cheap Adonises
stop, flushed, moist-eyed, to rest. You hear
the lady's confidential tone, carressinG,
playful, as a rich young blood would use
in chatting with pretty shop girl in the
half lights of the Paris evening time
upon the street. Sure they are lucky
skating masters in the afternoon, and
they appear a bit too naughty even, some
times, at first glance. But then, reflect
that they must keep the ladies at their
proper distance. If any lady feels that
she has been snubbed by naughty skat-
ing master in the afternoon, she may
console herself by knowing that the stuck
up fellow will he put in his right place
this evening by the ladies of the demi-
monde. The demi-mOnde would scOrn to
squeeze their hands and lean upon them
heavily.
A GAY SCENE.
Toward ; o'clock the strcter-minded
ladies leave. They do not wish to rub
against the demi-monde, which now be-
gins to make its entry. Gentlemen who
stay have now a double duty. And to
be polite with ladies of the half world in
the same room with ladies of society takes
all the finessc all the practice of special
training and hardened nerve. The la
dies who remain-We must not get these
ladies miXed-I mean the real and bona
fide ladies who remain--stay to observe
the cOcOttes' clothes, to post themselves
up on the latest fashions, which these
other ladies-Of the demimonde-se for
them.
The demi-mOnde and fashionables skate
along together now till dinner time, as
amicably as the clean and unclean ami
mails in Noah's ark doubtless amused
themselves while it was raining Two
hours of skating is long time in that
where biting cold is mixed
with heat. The cold comes from the real
ice on which people skate. The heat is
from the decorative stoves around the
promenade which circles round the great
arena. The building was originally
raised up for cylcorama. Being round
in FORM with one broad gallery, the skat-
ing surface now looks like circus ring.
The circle of small tables is like the
front row of seats around circus ring.
You sit at one of these small tables, now
50 crowded. Danes and demoiselles in
silks and precious stones sweep
past you. Clubmen chatter with them
unafraid. More silks, more splendid
cloaks and capes. More brilliant faces,
lips too red and eyes too black. Young
girls of good society, pale like wan morn
ing stars. The married ladies' knock
their skates off spitefully. 'Come, Lucie,
Helene, it is time to GO"
STERLING HELLO.