Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-12-22
WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
Six Weeks of F'rivolity to Begin With
the Presidents First Reception.

Washington, Dec. 16.-Mr. j. Addi-
is WashingtoN's supreme authority on
the events of Vanity Fair. According
to Mr.. Porter, the social season of the
capital will open Jan. ?, when the
President and Mrs. Mckinley will hold
their first public reception. 1t will
close on Feb. IA, the eve of Ash We'd
uesday, thus giving the butterflies but
six short weeks TO fit from social
flower to flower. But Washington re-
fuses to accept such a cruel mandate
Already gayly caparisoned horses are
bearing equally gaudy lackeys on an
endless round of delivering dainty
lLtle cards of invitation
At the Russian Embassy of a recent
night the fair young daughter of
Count de Cassini made her first bow to
tie American public. Miss Marguerite
de Cassini is dainty brunette, barely
II, an accomplished linguist and an
artist of unusual talent. She is very
fond of social life, and as she is the
mistress of the embassy, Count Cassini
being a widower, Washington is look
ing forward to return of the golden
days of Nine. de Strives regime.
Miss Long, fresh from earning
laurels as nurse in the late war, is
getting ready to forget her sad expert
ences in round of pleasure. With
Miss Long may be mentioned the
Misses Wheeler, Miss Miles and Miss
Evans, all Of whom were concerned in
the welfare of the soldier lads.
A most beautiful visitor, the Coun-
tess of Gtratford, has been seeing the
beauties of the capital and incidentally
receiving much courtesy. The British
ambassador and Mrs. Hay, wife of the
secretary of state, were among those
who entertained the distinguished peer
and his American wife.
Under the holly and mistletoe Miss
Ellen Williams, daughter of Gen. Will
Jams, U. S. A, and Mr.. john Bryson
Patton, U. S. N, were married few
nights since. 1t was the first Christmas
wedding, and was attended by the
army and navy contingent, perhaps
our smartest set, at least in appear
ance.
Another army wedding which will
be social sensation is that of the
pretty young daughter of Col. Stephen
Norvel, U. S. A, Miss Alice, to Lieut.
John Elliott Hunt, U. S. A, twenty
fifth infantry. Lieut.. Hunt is one of the
heroes of Ell Caney and has the honor
of being the officer to whom the sur
render CT the hill was made. His sue
cessful wooing is the direct result of
his gallant action on that occasion.
Mrs. j. H. Bankhead, wife of Repre-
sentative Bankhead of Alabama has
arrived for the purpose of meeting sew
eral southern girls, who are going with
her to Santiago to enjoy Christmas
with their beauX, of the fifth immunes.
This regiment is composed Of Alabama
young men, and Mrs. Bankhead's son
is captain of enc of the companies
Then there are Captains Shelly, Walk
err Storm and Hickson. There are five
young women in the party. They are
Miss Bankhead, daughter of Mrs.
Bankhead, Miss Thompson of San
Francisco, niece Of former Gov Hugh
Thompson Of South Cardinal Miss
Dorothea Owen of Birmingham, Ala;
Miss Alice Stickney, now Of Washing
ton, and Miss Virginia Walker of
Birmingham. They will land in San
tiago Cn Christmas day Secretary
Ayers heart softened when the re-
quest of Mrs. Bankhead was commun-
Gated to him through her husband,
and he put at the service of Mrs. Bank
head the troop transport OLDHAM,
which sails from New York Dec p.
The ladies will carry cakes and Christ
mas gifts and will be entertained for
month in ''house party" by Captain
Bankhead, who has just put in readi-
ness and beautified new cottage for
that purpose.