Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-06
FREAKS OF THE RECEPTION.
People Who Do and shy Funny Things
at Other Peoples Houses,

People Who Do and Say Funny Things
at Other Peoples Houses.
ut has been my pleasant task to help
receive on more than one occasion at
houses of members of the cabinet" said
young society woman of Washington I'm
cidentally. j have obtained not little
amusement from a study of the strangers
who came in-people unfamiliar with con-
ventional social doings, though anxious to
acquaint themselves with the fashionable
side of life at the nations capital 1 wish
1 could remember all the funny things 1
have seen them do and heard them say,
During recent convention of advanced
thinkers in petticoats, three or four of
them attended reception where 1 hap
pened to be pouring out tea. Evidently
they were very tired. having been engaged
in seeing the sights of Washington Crate
ful for the cup of tea and other trif1ing at
tentions which l proffered, one of them
beamed upon me with a most amiable
smile, and said:
You have been very good to u.s. 1 hope
you will come to one of our meetings We
may not be so stylish. but we are brainy.'
Quite amused, 1 replied:
:" Being rather a fool myself, I am afraid
of brainy women.
why, I'm surprised exclaimed the
visitor From your looks I'd have sup
posed you were one of u.s.
1T was on another occasion that 1 was
fortunate enough to make myself pleasing
to woman from Texas, who wore as l
well remember. a most remarkable bonnet
with yellow ribbons. AS she finished OFF
her second cup OF tea at single gulp, she
remarked: 49,.
&" You look very fresh for a society lady,
What she meant doubtless, was that 1
had not that jaded and worn appearance
which too frequently comes from excessive
indulgence of balls andreceptions
4 must not forget d man, obviously from
the distant west, who sfrayed one Wednes-
day afternoon into a cabinet reception.
had charge of an urn OF bouillon He had
huge umbrella under his arm, of the
| style one nowadays sees only on the stage,
made of cotton and very bullying. Said he
to me: e: ats
Whats that you're a-pourin', miss?'
" 1t Is bouillon. sir -lreplied.
- don't know what that is he re-
sponded. but I'll take some anyway
He tasted 1t doubtfplly, and then drank
he: 'si2 Hh
Out whar live they call that SOUP
Do they, indeed2'r 3D.
-" Yes. he said, 'MayfJ have some more?
That last was rather small for Its age
Il flied his cup again, and this time he
slipped its contents In a contemplative
manner. looking around the table as he
did SO. Finally he remarked:
Seems to me Washington folks must
have mighty small appetites.
Why do you think SOP I asked, trying
u suppress SlSSle ana making distinct
failure of it.
We'll. he explained. suppose thar
must be seventy or eighty people here
and thar amt any more grub on the table
than l could finish off myself AS for
the soup, it's good. but small for its age,
as l said afore. I'll thank you for another
cup, miss
won't you try sandwich 1 sug-
gested. indicating a plate of them that
was close at hand
Call them things sandwiches? he said.
Why. it would take six of 'em to make
bite. But I'll try little more of the soup,
if you please
II filled his cup once more.
I think you're very nice young lady,
he remarked.
u am much obliged, I am sure re-
piled.
I'm fact he continued, stroking his
beard you remind me of my gal at home
am fattered, indeed said You re-
fer to your daughter l presume?'
Yes; she's wonder. Been through
the seminary and knows as much about
books as she does about horses. You look
just like her, when she's logged out in her
finest ribbons and thingum-a -jigs. Thanks.
l will have another cup of that soup
You're so nice and kind that I'm sure YOU
can't be one of them society gals such as
have met around at the other places I've
been to here in Washington