Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-12-20
SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON.
tiOm's capital Are Now Thinking
About.

What the Fashi0nables of the Ma
tiOn's capital Are Now Thinking
About.
From Our Regular Correspondent
One of the customs of life at the
nations capital which a housekeeper
especially when she halls from the
north, is obliged to get accustomed to
is the one which fixes upon the fall
rather than the spring as the proper
period for going into a new home OF
establishing the household goods. AS a
rule the term of the rental season foI
houses begins and ends in the fall, and
it is at this season of the year that
good housewives perplex their brains
with intricate questions OF how to
make the household interior look as
good as new at the lowest possible ex,
penditure of money.
There is OF course a species Of house
cleaning in the spring, but it consists
mainly in taking down hangings and
taking up carpets and rugs, and in fact
stripping the interior OF every.
thing except the articles Of
furniture OF barest necessity. There ia
nothing left to obstruct the passage
way of air through the window open
ings and through the rooms, and in
fact after the spring undressing, as it
may be termed, the house has cooler
appearance. and this is great consid
Grafton in climate where hot weather
practically continues for five or six
months.
All the furnishings and bric-a brsc
which is now required in fashionable
interior are slowed away, and the win
ter clothes are also packed out of
sight and camphor is used freely. The
family, or such fragments OF it as re-
main in the city during the summer,
then proceed to camp ont" in the
denuded house.
Everybody OF course is not out OF
town during the summer, although
that is the common belief. A great
many people spend the large proper
ton OF the heated term in the city
and enjoy all the comforts OF their
home. But whether they 90 away or
remain the practice of preparing the
house for the summer, as above des.
cribed, is a universal one.
1t can he readily understood that
the task which confronts the house
keeper on her return to the city in
the fall is a rather formidable one.
This is what the society leaders are
looking forward to now. 1t is posi-
bic that the furniture and hangings
which were taken down in the spring
will not be suitable for use during
another season. They must be re-
placed.
Unless one has the fortune Of a
Gould, and the recklessness of a
"Coal oil Johnny" a great deal OF
time and thought must be devoted to
the fitting up OF house for the fall
and winter season. 1t may be neces-
sary to secure new corps OF servants
and to make other changes in the
domestic arrangements. All this re-
quires personal supervision, and the
home coming of the society leaders
marks the beginning of time of con-
siderable anxiety and good deal OF
hard work. This condition is com.
mon to all, whether they are at the
head of large establishment or one
of rather humble dimensions.
The fall months in the experience
of the people who adorn the social
circles of the Nations capital is the
period of preparation. and also one of
enjoyment OF the superb weather
which is usual at that time of the
year. The social season, however,
does not open until after January LIST,
when the President gives a reception
to the Diplomatic Corps, the members
of Congress, and the rest of the world.
This is the signal which sets going
the wheels OF society, and from that
time until Lent there is q constant
round of parties and receptions and
teas which occupy fully the time and
attention of those who indulge in this
sort OF life. In the fall OF the year,
however, one may witness in Washing
ton the business side, as it may be
termed, OF society life, and the CONVEX.
sation of those who are the social
leaders 10 apt to be mainly OF prices
and their troubles and tribulations
with paper-hangers, furniture men and
decorators.