The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-30


ately, and not through the mouth of any
fictitious personage-at the alleged chlV-
airy of American men.
Here is a paragraph describing the
leaders of California society. Perhaps
this is the way Mrs. Atherton saw
things. Could anything be more cut
ting?
The three large and aristocratically ugly
mansions of Don Roberto Yorba, Hiram Polk
and Colonel Jack Belmont stood side by side
on Mob Hill. Belmont not as wealthy as
the others, but .'palatial residence" does not
mean ilimitable riches yet in San Fran
cisco. Belmont had married a Boston girl of
far greater family pretensions than Mrs.
Yorba :, but of no more stately appearance nor
correct deneanor. The two women were init
mate friends until her husbands notorious in
f1deIities and erraticsms when under the pc
riodical influence of alcohol killed Mrs. Bel
mont. Neither Don Roberto nor Polk drank TO
excess, and they kept their mistresses in more
decent secusion than is the habit Of the aver
age San Franciscan. It would never occur to
Mrs. Yorba to suspect her husband or any
other of infdeIity. did she live in Cali
fornia a hundred years. and Mrs. Polk was too
Indifferent to give the matter q thought,
And the following bit of descriptive
writing is intended to give an idea of
the typical California young ladies'.
Surely this is not true. There are I'M
doubtedly girls like the ones described
in our State, but to call them types is
not only mistake but a SANDER:
rs that you, Helena?' she whispered.
rs 1t? Just you wait till you see met
A moment later she had clambered over the
railing and stood before the astonished Magda-
lena.
-'What-what-'
Boys clothes Can't you for yourself?
otycT will
''Of course I shall not. What possessed
you
But the astute Helena detected a lack of de-
cison in her friends voice. You're just dying
TO GO" she said coaxingly. You adore fires,
and you'd love to see one close to. Put
waterproof on and a black shawl over your
head Then if anybody notices you they IL
think you're a muchacha from SpanishtoWh-
AS I am boy I can protect you beautifully.
Wen go TO the livery stable and I'll make old
Duff give a hack. I've a pocket full OF
Doodle; papa gave my allowance to-day
Here come in" She dragged the unreslstlng
Magdalena into the room, arrayed her IN
waterproof and pinned a black shawl tightly
about the small brown face. There she
said triumphantly, you look like poor little
greaser for all the world. Don Roberto would
have a 1T Do you think you can slide down
the pillar?"
Isn't this gorgeous?'
Magdalena nodded. Her brain and heart
were throbbing too loud for speech.
I'm going to fires for the rest of my life
announced Helena, as they turned the corner
and walked swiftly down the hill. She was not
of the order which is content with one expe-
rience even while that initial experience is yet
a matter of delightful anticipation.
When they reached the livery stable Helena
marched in. holding Magdalena firmly by the
hand Il want-a hack she said peremptoriiy
TO the man in charge. And double quick,
too" The man stared. but Helena ratified the
gold in her pocket. and he called to two men
to hitch up.
Magdalena did not speak of her conversation
with her own parent. She did not want to think
of it. This night to be one of uniform
joy. They were a quarter of an hour reaching
the fire. AS they turned into the great central
artery of the city Market street, they leaned
forward and gazed eagerly at the dense, highly
colored mass of men and women. mostly young,
who promenaded the north sidewalk under
blaze of gas.
What queer-lookng girls." said Magdalena.
why do they many frizzes and sailor
hats on one side?"
They're chppies,' said Helena, wisely.
What's chippies?"