The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-05

ing an Unweicome Guest-Mrs. Bis
sell and the White Ribbon.
From the Plttsburg Dispatch.
Washington, Dec. 2S.--It is very apt to
be the unexpected that happens. One who
has gone through a season or two Of
Washington's swell functions. when the
world, the flesh and the devil are can
tering along at full speed, side by side,
realizes the truth OF this. And II is these
dainty tid-bits delicious morsels Of the
unexpected. that serve to give a dash
and go to season otherwise devoid or
interest even TO those most nearly in
terested.
Mrs. Cleveland holds in her inner MEM
DRY some experiences of Washington so
ciety that are vastly more of moment
If given forth to the world than all the
miles of twaddle that get into print con-
corning her and her doings. She Is dis
Greet, however. and holds her own coun-
sell for the most part Ii is some of the
others of the gay set who, having got
wind of the occurrence. proceed TO make
It the subject Of gossip in that inner set
of the upper tendon where such bits
are most relished.
Perhaps one OF the most curious of
these experiences was during the Pres
ident's first administration Mrs. Cleve-
lands most intimate friend outside of
the cabinet was the late Mrs. Manchester
Laughton.
daughter. who married Senior Pedrosa,
at that time of the Spanish legation, was
TO have her first child baptized, the Pres
ident's wife made an exception to her
rule of attending only official entertain
ments. Mrs. Cleveland was In fact, asked
to be godmother TO the child. The christ
tening breakfast that was to follow was
an affair Of much splendor. About nifty
guests were hidden. and precisely at noon
the doors OF the dining room were to be
thrown open. II was full hour later,
however, before this was done. The old
saying Of having a table so loaded with
good things that IL groaned under the
weight Is familiar enough. In this case
the table, loaded with dainties OF every
description and brave array OF price,
less old family cut glass and silver, not
only groaned, but went under with
crash that reverberated through the draw
ing rooms like a clap of thunder just as
the liveried servants stood ready to throw
open the doors. II was sound calculated
to paralzye both thought and action; but
Mrs. Laughton remained mistress Of her
self Though China FELL" and after the
first unavoidable start, gave no further
heed to the crash and din in the next
room.
There was, fortunately, plentiful
corps of servants. and unlimited credit
:
later the doors of the dining room were
thrown open that the guests might en-
ter. The wreck matter and the crash
of worlds" was nowhere Visible,
In the matter OF a magnificent presence
of mind when dire disaster stares one in
the face, any account would be sadly
matte breakfast given by the late Secre-
tary Blaine during the second year OF the
Harrison administration. That was some
thing worthy to be chronicled.
AT noon, on New Years day, the diplo-
matte corps. after leaving the white house,
are always entertained by the Secretary
OF State. Just as Secretary Blaine was
about to lead the way to the breakfast
room, the announcement was made that
his house on Dupont Circle, then leased by
Mr.. Letter, vas I'm flames. The news
| thrilled over the room and the guests
paused in their gay talk to listen TO the
ringing of the fire bells, but the imper-
turbable self-possesslon Of the man from
Maine never for an instant wavered.
Turning to the company, expressing the
hope that no lives would be lost, he gave
the signal to descend to the breakfast
room, where the sumptuous collation. had
been prepared. Never word Of his own
financial loss, not a breath of anxiety
about the fine property that rumor said
was in the clutches of the fire king
One Of the most dramatic episodes
went down on those unwritten pages of
society last winter. 1t was at the Coun-
try Club The entertainment was O dim
ner party, chaperoned by the wife of ex-
Senator Mcpherson of New Jersey, and
the guests were all young people prin-
cipally made up from the debutantes and
beaux Of the season. Young Padillo of
the Spanish legation was the redoubtable
hero of the occasion.
Toward the latter part of the dinner
one of the debutantes dared the DASH
ing young diplomat to ride around the
ball room mounted on the splendid horse
on which he had come to the dinner
| Quick as a flash Padillo accepted the chal-
lenge and before the remainder of the
guests were aware Of his intention had
mounted his horse, thrown open the door,
and the hoofs Of his steed were echoine
on the ball room floor.
1t was all very funny at the time and
| intensely dramatic; but the consequences
were not by any means 80 entertaining
There was a meeting of the governors of
the club, warm meeting, since the ball
room presented the appearance of having
had the floor dug up with a pick ak and
bill for damages was made out. That
was 10 be expected. But there was a
decision-happily overruled afterward-
never again TO allow any guest present at
that dinner party TO enter the walls of the
club.
of the principals in IT,, and set the gos-
sips talking in a wild fashion.
Melba, OF, some leading musical celebri-
~, sang that night: Media sang-the
Brices paid the bill. That night Senator
and Mrs. Brice, having invited the cream
of Washington society, decided to guard
against any possible mixing of the social
curds and wheys by the simple device
of preparing especial seats of honor for
the guests OF honor. To emphasize this
the gilded and tufted arm shairs pre-
AIRED for the elect were kept from the
remainder of the guests by broad white
satin ribbon.
The plan worked beautifully up to a
certain point. The British ambassador
and Lady Pauncefote. the Italian am
bassador and Baroness Fava, entered on
time, and were at once escorted to the
seats beyond the blue ribbon. Then came
several members of the cabinet who fol-
lowed suit-the remainder of the guests
looking on with wonder and some with
smouldering wrath. Then through the
doorway OF the drawing room came the
ex-Postmaster General and Mrs Bissell,
and the hostess with a wave of the hand,
indicated that they were to be seated in
the chairs of state. But Mrs. Bissell, as
soon as she realized matters, turned with
a smile to the one designated to show
her beyond the ribbon, and blandly re-
fused to be seated elsewhere than with
the company at large.
The house in which the Frelinghuysens,
Whitneys and Wanamakers lived sue
cessively has been the scene of more dra-
matte social happenings than any other
one house within the district limits.
During the Frelnghuysen occupancy
there was a memorable state dinner.
Among the guests was the late Portuguese
minister Noguerias, and his wife. Ma
NI.Fr4