The times., 1898-11-13

theory of some unspeHable sort thft
ghosts are always AROUND If not always
In evidence. So If you have your fair
share of rats and bats. Snd are located
within hooting distance of an owl. though
far enough from Your next neighbor TO
get supernatural revefberStions from his
baying dogs, there is no feason why you
can't get along as satisfactorily with
mock spooS us you can with, say. mock
turtle.
Naturally. real ghost, would be pre-
ferable to these makeshifts-but you
mustn't expect too much in this world.
The Christmas ghost hunt IS an impor-
tation from England, where the houses
are ancient enough to harbor specters
who were there before William the Con-
queror, and that is where the fear comes
In. that the fad over here may fail. We
have no Danish towers, nor Norman
keeps. nor Elizabethan dungeons and
things where ghosts can prowl around
In costumes to match the architecture.
The American specter has TO choose be-
tween. sheet and his best suit. and the
poverty of the choice will most likely
unfit him for the spectacular part FASH
ion bids him to play.
or course. there are exceptions. for
even In this very city there is one of the
treasure re-guarding ghosts you read about,
an out-and-out buccaneer Of the Spanish
main, with cooked hat, gold lace rufiles.
high yellow boots. red jacket, and n most
unpleasant smell. Those acquainted with
him say he clinks his chains and stolen
coin TO the rhythm of women's screams.
but that otherwise he is harmless and
wouldn't be half bad to have around If
1t wasn't for a habit he has of wearing
his head in his hands.
III you have only modern home with
CHEEKY belongings. don't be discouraged,
but get yourself invited to spend Christ
mas week with some dear and haunted
friend. That is what the London gils
do.
Fashion is interested in the evolution
Of the specter. She considers It possible
that there may be such thing as the
new ghost-hence the Christmas hunts.
And their habits have changed. You
don't catch the modern ghost prowling
around moldy, midnight churchyards
and haunting ruined castles with b It's.
He turks in the warm shadows of nur-
series, where babies frolic and slesp.
Goes. incognito. to teas without bling
obliged to taste things; gets into theateis
dead head-and while the play is on
stalks around with mock Hamlet. sups
with mimic Banquo. throws out personal
insinuations concerning the specter bride
groom's cold hucklebeEry pudding, and
leaves for the electric lights of the ave
nue. the minute the curtain goes down.
This latest whim of society has already
found its critics, but after all We must not
hope to evolve fad that will suit every
body until we learn 10 turn people out
in molds like candles or measure them
like potatoes by the peck.
The Hon. Thomas w. Crid,er, Third
Assistant Secretary OF State. acc ompanied
by his bride. We're among the passengers
on the steamer St Louis. which arrived
at New York yesterday.
Mr. William German has sent out inyi-
tations for a reception to be given on Mo-
vember II, at his country place. near Ca
louisville, Nd. In honor OF his daughter,
Miss Elizabeth German. Miss German
will be assisted in receiving by her aunt,
Mrs. Joseph C. Whitney. She will spend
the Winter in Washington.
Mrs. John b. Wight wife of the presi-
dent of the Board of Commissioners OF
the District. who is visiting her sister,
Mrs. William NJ McKelvey, AT Pittsburg,
was the guest Of honor at a reception
given by Mrs. McKelvey on last Friday
afternoon. The receiving party included
Mrs. J. p. L. Kumler. mother OF Mrs.
Wight. and Mrs. McKelvey, together
with a dozen matrons and maids promi-
nent in Pittsburg's social circle.
The large hail of the residence was ar
ranged with palms and huge 1 hite ehrys-
anthemums. wif{ae the parlor wasf deco
rated with punches of red aud pink roses. :
The library had a great bunch of pink
chrysanthemums. while the din.ns-room
had one of immense golden cnrysanthe-
NUNS. Mrs. Wight has been much en-
tertained during her visit, and several
smaller affairs have been arranged for
her before she returns TO Washington.
Count Won Acro-valley. formerly first
secretary of the German embassy at
Washington, has been appointed minister
10 Brazil.
Mr.. Walter William Scott of this city,
was one of the attendant eroomsmen at
the wedding of Miss Sallie Penn Taylor
and Mr.. Augustus Fitzhugh Turner, of
Port Conway, Va, which occurred
Wednesday in St. Peters Church. Port
Royal, Va, the home of the bride.
Miss Mary Rivinus, of Philadelphia is
the guest of her uncle, Mr.. Arthur EN-
mems.
The Manor House Chapter. d. A. r,
will hold their first meeting of the sea-
son at the Riggs House. November .. at
S p. m. Mrs. John A. Logan viii make
an address descriptive of Spain and Her
Colonies in America" The National and
Washington boards of the d. A. r. will
be the guests of the chapter on the oc-
casion.
Mrs. Charles Custis Harrison. of Phila-
delphia, who has just returned home aft
er visit In Washington. was the guest
while here of the President and Mrs
Mckinley at luncheon.
Washington friends have received cards
announcing the marriage of Mr.. Charles
Henry Zuber. of the editorial staff of
the Cincinnati Times-Star. to Miss Flor
ence Adelaide Rocks. of Bonneville. Mo
The wedding was solemnized in that city
Saturday. October %, and owing to the
recent death of the brides mother was
Il very quiet affair.
In addition to brilliant gifts that have
enabled him to attain distinction in the
world of journalism, Mr.. Zuber is the
possessor of social qualities that have en-
deared him to his many friends in this
city, who will wish him every happiness
in his matrimonial career.
The New York City Mothers Club, one
of the most active and successful of all
such organizations, will give a reception
at the Tuxedo, Madison Avenue. tomor-
row. in honor of the president of the
National Congress of Mothers. Mrs T.
W. Birney, of Washington. d. c.. and
their State president. Mrs, D. o. Mears,
of Albany, n. Y.