The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-06
Social Diplomacy.

SOci0i D1pfOmuCy.
New York Tribune.
Diplomacy ranks next to tact in social
ethics and to be a successful hostess with
limited means nowadays In New York re-
quires almost the brains of Machiayelli.
How little Mrs. z,--who lives in a
bandbox of a house, with only parlor
maid to serve at her dainty table-man-
ages to get the smartest people 10 dine
with her en- petite comite, whenever she
will, apparently is constant source of
amusement and irritation to her rich neigh
Dor, Mrs. Midas. The latter, despite her
chef and her millions, sometimes finds 1t
hard work to collect enough guests for her
heavy entertainments twice or thrice during
the season, and her own Invitations are
few and far between, whereas Mrs. "a.
drives out whenever she is not entertain
ing at home.
what do you suppose Is the secret of
her success?" exclaimed one of her friends.
Certainly she seems to have very few
~ s ;s ee,, nret,Y thagh
IL must be admitted she is very chic,
but no more so than many others. She
is certainly 'sympatica, but so are a scorce
of people I could name. Her house is
dear, but as man said the other day,
there is hardly room in il to swing
cat while her dinners, which are, of
itself What Is her especial attraction is
absolutely inexplicable. and yet it is there.
the most exclusive people as she undoubted-
ly does 80.
is tact combined with diplomacy and i will
which is, Of course, only one out of many.
She. told me this herself SO l need not
for a special occasion. Mr.. @. the ceie.
brated author who is somewhat surly
lion. and seldom condescends TO roar at
any ones table except at that of Mrs.
ha Ia NJ tc N M rPy
Mrs. X. cast about in her. mind how she
could engage him. by letting him know,
ns b ne wh hsd 70 MTs drer
ing so, which would, of course, he irnpos-
sible. Suddenly an Inspiration seized her:
she wrote an invitation 90 Mrs. r.. and
put it into the wrong envelope, which, by
an odd coincidence, happened TO be adj
dressed to Mr.. -. OF course, as soon as
covered her mistake, and wrote another
note of explanation. Needless to say that
both guests came and her dinner went off
as her dinners always are sure to DO,
with the most perfect success
Christmas Giving.
Jenness Mllers Monthly.
If possible give something that is wanted.
Think over your own gifts from year to
year, and see how many have been mean
ingless. Let the gift answer want or a
wish. or, il you cannot know what the want
or wish is. at least make sure that the
gift can but be acceptable for itself as we'll
as for its intangible meaning. Remember
how stupid you thought IT was of A to send
you a volume OF Coleridge, just because
| you like Coleridge. Had she taken the least
| pains she might have found out you owned
two complete sets already, and that only
fine new edition or priceless old one
would give any value 10 another copy of
| the poet. And remember how you valued
| the glass toothbrush bottle that just fits
your travelling bag and Will take. a wet
| but ii was something you wanted.
Don't give a thimble 10 the woman who
sews for 2 living. Give her symphony
| hear any. Don't give mother some holders
and an afternoon apron. Give her some
a liking or a longing. Perhaps it win be
| new kind of cactus for her window of
plants, perhaps 1t will be hair tonic, but
| try to have it something she has wanted a
| for herself.
Of give sbs ness pa 10
| in the country. Give that to the woman
friend who pines for Just that bit of green
can't give the conseryatory owner the rare
! plant for which he is hunting the world
over. he will appreciate something quite
on Horticulture or horticulture he may have
before you hear Of II: but IL not, he would
Ike that best Of all l II the book Is inos
les beforehand as 10 the contents of his
floral library.
| In word, use intelligent sympathy as
well as money in selecting gifts. Don't give
for the sake of giving something; give. for
| the sake of giving something that Will III
| into niche of appreciation waiting for IT.
| though Ii be but a box of black assorted
| pins for the woman VINO never owned any
! thing but white pins I'm all her life, yet
| always dresses in black.
|
DO Wives Earn Money:
| New York Evening sun.
Apropos the subject, 'Do Wives Earr
| Anything" is the following. 1t come: