The evening times., 1895-10-02

man once said to me, in confidence that
he wondered this function had been left
out of the plaques OF job; he thought OIL
othersurrerinsst thisstnner wascai!edupontO
endure would have been u Mere bagatelle
i'll cOnlpa rison to this one
Yesterday" lie said, lat Mrs Nouveau's,
was given II square cup on an Oblong
saucer, which. although it was of priceless
Sevres, I could not drink out OF it, but
tpilied the weak, warm stuff, school
boy fashion, all down the front of my frock
coat. The spoon was a gold trident, studded
with turquoise, which would not stay out,
but fel! every time I moved. Finally the
minister from Bagdad put one OF his ample
feet upon it, and have been in bad odor
with Mrs. Nouvelu ever Slice
But such discomfort is thing OF the past,
and afternoon tea Il pleasure, under the
subtle influence or which tongues are
looseued and gossip stimulated. All this
occurred to ME one afternoon recently at
Il house where the hostess is nearly va cha rni
ing as the host, and where conversati ton
is always as merry as the traditional mar
riage bell.
The very prettiest, youngest md happiest
young ma trou whom met on this particular
afternoon was Mrs. War Thoron. She is
still in mourning for herrather, and the little
.lack tolue she wore with its Eodd!ny
al;rette. was very becoming. Mr.. and Mrs.
Thoron have leased the house of Mrs. Slater,
on Eighteenth street, and here is no cosie7
house in townlfor Just two people to live In.
The wonder is that Mrs. Slater could ever
have been induced to give it up.
Everybody seemed to have d great deal
to say but il stuck me as peculiar that
after months away from town. at one OF
their first reunions the conversation Of these
fl shiDnahle folk should have turned on
book; which is doubtless owing TO the
fact that in summer there is invariably an
omniyurous consumption of light litera-
tare by those people who dance and dine
all winter.
hung my diminished head at the To-
aCious eioqueacc of my cO-tca drinkers
over books that / had never heard Of.
man who has written several successful
novels himself said that Mal!oCk's The
Heart of Life" was the bouk Of the year,
but lie was disputed blankIy by a literary
spinster who sad th iS opinion was dIslUyal
for an Anerjcan. since the book was as
as possible. and written in
the inieres, OF royalty and nonarclical IT,
stitutions. She gave the palm tn John
Oliver Hobbs The Gods, Some Mortals
and Lord Wickcrham" pale little
student of psychology. who sat on the end
of a divan. and cnnsuined very much and
very weak tea made a bold stand Tor Ben
son's The Judgment Books" as the book
OF the year. AT which opinion everyone
made fun, neither would they listen To
any Iaudation of Grant Aliens hyStcrical
production, The woman Who Did,
what can one expect from such Phil
istine croUd?" he asked me, aud retired
behind his seventh cup of tea.
The conversation, at any rate, was be-
yond my depth. and was very glad when
1t was interrupted by the arrival OF Com
mander Reisinger, who came in to leave
his p. p. C. This prince of naval officers
sails on the Monocacy on Saturday and his
destination is China.
No one could make him admit that the
idea of three years cruise was distas1e-
lul to him, but Commander ReisILger is a
from his point OF view-"what-
ever is. is right" The commander was very
smiling. very amiable and very gracious,
and before he left promised to send us each
4 piece of bric-a- -brac. at which the literary
spinster, who dotes upon being called
blue stocking, begged him not to send her
4 modern piece.
One of the new diplomats, who is indus
riously learning his Washington, asked
ne, among other things, why the big brown
stone house on H street, near the Arlington
Hotel, was called buckingham PaIace. 1T
s not ieetle like ze Buckingham Palace"
le said. earnestly. And he is, of course,
light. 1t is not "a leetle" like Buckingharc.
Palace, and. after explaining to him in
French. German and English, finally made
i'm understand that this big. brown house,
,uilt more than half a century ago by
Matthew st. Clair Clark. Clerk of the
House of Representatives. and occupied by
Lord Ashburton. the English Minister, fl
lally came into the possession of Mr.. Cole
nan, from whom it descended to his
laughter, Mrs. Freeman, then to her daugh-
er, who married Lieut.. Buckingham. of
he Army, W nose friends facetiouSly dubbed
lis new domicile Buckingham Palace. 1
LII convinced thatmy foreig n friend thought
his bit of American humor very stupid, al
hough he laughed appreciatively.
re MISS MARCHMONT.
Rupert D. Powles and Miss Lula N.
'ippin young couple from Richmond,
IA, were married in the parlor of the
Toward House last night ut 11:50 O'Clock
" Rev. E. S. Todd, of HamliEe NJ. f.
,hurch. They did not announce that it
vas an elopement. bat the guests at the
lotei are little Inclined to think that way.
The young people reached the city on
he 11:10 train from Richmond and went
It once to the hotel, where DR.. Todd was
waiting them. The groom had communi
ated with the hotel clerk of the house,
md that accommodating gentleman had
'rocured the license, engaged the parson,
md saw that everything was In readiness.
Mr.. and Mrs. Rowles will remain in the |
ity until Thursday seeing the sights, when |
hey will return to Richmond.
The woman's Relief Corps, of the John |
|. Logan Commandery, u. v. u, last even |
ng gave a most enjoyable musical and |
terary entertainment a Monumental Hall, |
n Pennsylvania avenue northwest, for
he benefit of their relief fund. A large
lumber of people were present and mani |
ested much interest in the programme. |
IGong those who assisted in the entertain |
rent were Col. 8. r. Stratton, Mrs NJ. A. |
vyalor, Misses Katie and Maggie Slater, |
frs. NJ. N. Stickells, Mrs. Baxter, MessTs- /
loss and Wise. Misses Mabel and Pearl |
andothers. Refreshments were |
erved at the close of the entertainment.
The Jolly Socials gave pleasant sur
rise party to MFR. George E. Ruhl last |
vening at his residence. Games, stories /
nd dancing were indulged In, and refrg;h-
tents were served, the table being elab- /
rately decorated. The music was FUR /
ished by Aessrs. E. Brown, C. Knight, II. |
Iercer and e. Kingston.
Among those who have taken apartments
1.-THE Portland for the winterand willshortiy /