The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-11

"a great deal has been written" says
the Business Woman's Journal. "sn re-
gard to the waste o. time spent in visit
ing. parties. calls. receptions. etc. In
large cities and in fashionable life no
doubt there Is much 10 call II forth. but
have Seen more OF far different aspect
o. this question. namely the absence and
putting OF OF anything pzrtaking OF
social nature until every other duty
under heaven has been attended 20. In
towns lsnal or largel there Is class OF
women who consider any leisure idieness
any thorough enjoyment sin. They viii
do church work OF various kinds. attend
literary clubs. be cook housekeeper. nurse.
mother and wife in one: but look upon
social duties as superhuous; who. in fact.
do not count them as duties I have
known women. talented. active. philan-
thTopic. Christian. 10 allow months TO
pass before going 10 see a friend % the
family in deepest bereavement. although
they lived near by / have known 9TH
ers who were helpful and kind during the
first sharp shock OF sorrow, but who, in
the trying weeks and months following
never gave their friends a cheering visit
word or note OF remembrance. A woman
comes 10 town 10 live. She has been re-
Gently married and has left behind her
parents. friends and a charming social
the same church and who meet her often.
perhaps few call formally once: but
most are constantly busy in mothers
meetings, missionary societies and Sunday
school work. They never think il a part
OF their work-nay. privilege-to go in TO
see the lonely neighbor for a social chat
once or twice each week or to invite her
and her husband 10 an informal tea, or
take friends to call on them. II simply
never occurred 10 them. but If it had.
they would merely have said; We would
like 10, but haven't time -
Some women are dying, not OF ennui
or OF a frivolous round of gayety but
from social starvation. There are plenty
Of people-nioe people-about them. bat
they rarely or never meet in a purely
cial way They see each other in church.
lectures meetings OF a temperance or
benevolent nature, or at an occasional
large reception or party given now and
then by some one 10 pay up debts but
really 10 enjoy and have leisure 10 enter
tain few friends. or 10 visit with work
or some charming. not too deep book,
a neighbor every few days. or to give up
a certain afternoon or evening each week
TO such enjoyment, is not TO be consid-
cred.
Another class of women. perhaps ne
cuiiar 10 our American towns, are those
who have an aversion TO what they call
outside work and devote themselves TO
their homes. In an excess OF zeal they
dismiss their servant or servants and per-
form all tasks themselves. II the children
are young they declare triumphantly that
II is teaching them domestic duties inn
possible with hired relp. This is all very
well. but what of the reality? Is not the
mother. rarely stroug-nervous, over
worked and often too irritable TO be the
companion to husband and children she
wishes 10 be? Is she not generally too
tired in the evenings TO read. or do any
thing but retire at an unusually early
hour? She II Is who also. declares that
of course she must not be expected 10
visit or make cslis--she goes nowhere.
she is a real home body"
While sacf women wrong themselves
and society. IL would be amusing. IL IL
were not provoking. 10 note the air of
superior virtue which they assume over
the woman who takes leisure and profits
by it,
The delightful. spring-like days of the
past week succeeded in driving from out
the hearts OF our people the ennui which
had taken possession thereof during the
dreary days that have prevailed since the
advent of Lent. and substituted a feeling
OF brightness and animation. The first OF
our society folk TO take advantage Of the
pleasant weather have been those who
take an active part IN that most fascinat-
ing of outdoor games tennis Several
members OF the Seattle Tennis Club were
on the courts Thursday and Friday. get
ting the kinks out Of their arms and other
wise preparing for the season of 1897. The
ladies' branch OF the club. by far the most
important adjunct. Will hold meeting at
the residence OF Mrs. Charles Power. 1893
Minor avenue. Wednesday morning at l0;30
O'Clock for the purpose of eiecting officers
for the season OF 1897. AS this will be the
first meeting of the year and a very i'm
portant one. a full attendance of charter
members Is requested TO be present.
With such weather as prevailed during
the latter portion OF the week just past
society was sorely tempted 20 do and go.
regardless OF Lent The devotees a the
social shrine find II difficult. with the ca
pacity TO Joy the hours away and oppor-
tunities so easily made. 70 cease the de-
lightful worship of pleasure. They feel
that dag lost which marks not a social
something. be II a call. a luncheon. din
ner or an hour or two az the theater But
the venturesome exist right here. and
while those who enjoy the grains Of social
comfort bless those who do as well as
dare. they cannot refrain in the little chit
chat circles from saying: Isn't II funny
10 give that card party in Lent2" No one.
however. refuses these social bits that
have the spice OF being stolen, and all
contend that these gatherings are the
most delightful OF all
Miss Irene Phillips. the charming laugh
ter OF Capt Phillips. OF the revenue cutter
Perry, entertained party OF young So
clety people aboard ship last Monday
night. The company was taken from Bud
longs boathouse 20 the cutter BY the
ships launch, and on boarding was met
bv the pretty hostess and her parents and
AT once made 10 feel the hospitality that
characterizes Uncle Sans naval officers.
During the early part OF the evening dane
ing on deck was enjoyed 70 the strains
Of the orchestra made up OF Jack tars.
Later in the evening 3 delicious luncheon
was served IN the wardro0m. Humorous
Rotations by Charles 2. Ciary and whis-
ting hy A Sidney Hansard added 70 the
endowment Of the evening. Miss Phillips
was assisted IN entertaining her guests by
her mother and father. Those present
were. CAPT and Mrs. Phillips. Miss Irene
Philips. Miss Winuifred Wade Miss Nun
ger Mss Clark Miss Laura Cau1eld Miss
Leslie Garfield. Miss BaEiey. Lieut. Tur-
ner. Lieut.. Daily Mr Fred Crockett. Mr..
VIII Il Hanna. Mr.. William silltman. Ar.
charles P Clary. Mr.. sidney 4. Hanssrd.
Mr.. VIII Ingl!s. sfr. Linn Reife.
Ms Manson 2. Backus gave tea last
Tuesday afternoon IN honor % her mother.
N-s Adams About sixty -flve ladies' we're
r.rsseat. Mrs Backus vas assisted ~
Mrs Mckee Mrs. Montgomery Russell
as Mrs Wlnael1 Smith. Mrs. Adams
leaves tomorrow Tor her home n View
york. she wlll spea4 month In Chi