The times., 1899-09-17

Washington is beginning to show signs
of social resurrection. West End ter
races arc no longer rank with grasses that
dance ragtime measures TO every passing
breeze. Imposing fiunkies are beginning TO
polish the doorknobs of mansions that
week ago were as burglar proof as bank
safe Handsome equipages are growing
more numerous on the driveways. The
shopping meccas of Vanity Fair are filing
up with chatty costumers tanned and well
groomed. and at every turn, in churches
and theatres, on the avenues and at the
stations, indications are not wanting that
the time is fast approaching when with an
apology TO the proyerb) all roads lead 10
Home. These pleasant symptoms of social
activity are due, of course, to the coming
of Admiral Dewey, who, apart from his
value as returned hero, will be addi
tonally welcome because he knew Wash
iagton before Cavite, and it is here of all
places, that he will find himself in the
midst of old friends. After his departure
nothing except of course, weddngs-will
happen to ripple the social surface until
the return of the Presidential party from
the Chicago festivities, granting that the
President attends. Those members of the
Diplomatic Corps who are not enjoying
their leave abroad are too thoroughly salts
fed with life at Lenox and other autumn
resorts TO be in hurry to return to their
various embassies and legations. So that
while there is a desirable prospec. of TAI:
weather and fairer brides, 1t VIII be a full
month or six weeks before Dame Fashion,
with an eye to her future dabutantes, viii
assemble her court and bill the season"
begin.
The sudden deaths of Cornelius Wander
bilt and former Ambassador Eustis have
thrown a hush over the end of the Newport
season, and after the three weddings Of
the next ten days are over il will be
brought to an abrupt termination. The
social history Of life at the cliff city last
week was virtually a record of the move
ments of Prince Cantacuzene. With his
hancee he has been the centre of at
traction at coaching parties, at dinner par
ties. at dancing parties. Everywhere the
black and gold colors of Russia predomi-
mated. The most noteworthy of these
events was the dinner dance given by Mrs.
Potter Palmer. The fayors for that affair
were all gathered abroad
Mr.. T. Sanford Beatty, former private
secretary to the late Calvin s. Brice, is at
Beaulieu. assisting Mrs. Potter Palmer TO
arrange for the marriage of her niece. Miss
Grant, to the prince.
Prince CantacuZene. according to New
port chroniclings. has been initiated into
that strictly American custom, the joke
serenade-
Beaulieu had gone TO sleep Friday night
when its host and hostess and their titled
guest were aroused by Russian martial
air, interpreted by brass band stationed
under the windows of the apartments
sacred to the prince Mr.. and Mrs. Pal
mer and Miss Grant literally arose to the
and while they superintended the
of the villa, the sons of the
house and Prince Cantacuzene went out to
invite the troubadours In. When they
stepped out on the lawn there was not a
sound to be heard nor a soul to be seen
The musicians had stolen away as silently
as any Arab who ever folded tent in verse.
and the suddenly aroused servants who
were preparing feast stopped as abruptly
as they had commenced. Then somebody
looked at clock and amazed the others
With the announcement that il was after
o'clock. Then, avereth the chronicler.
the lights were put out and the house OF
Beaulieu returned to its slumbers, with
the good-natured consciousness that they
had been the subjects of a joke. Puzzle:
Find the joke.