The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-13

lections In the city than appear upon w
walls. and in costly cabinets In this s,is
tocratic old home, Mrs. Thorn. as MISS
Augusta Roquet, was a reigning pehe III
Texas away back inathe '4Os. And nov,
with her three score years and Ten sne
stiil retains the stately bearing ana charn
OF manners which her friends so anini'eu
in the old days. II was delignt 10 81
at their hosptable board, decked WIN
rare china and old family silver. Inc VIZ
that was served had been standing uPsiue
down in their cellar for near thirty Yeas.
Another one Of the old homes Is tha'
OF Mrs. Candace Wheeler in twenty
seventh street. Upon the walls OF this
beautiful home are rare paintings, many
of them done by the gifted daughter OF
the house, a woman we'll known IN ar
circles in America. Mrs. Dora Wtpeeiei
Keith. Wonderful pieces Of tapestry ana
beautiful furniture in carved woods orig
inal designs by the graceful artistic owner
of the house, Mrs. Wheeler, adorn this
lovely home.
1t was morning to be remembered
when sat at luncheon In the richly APP
pointed dining room with Mrs. Wheeler On
one side and Ruth McEnery stuart on the
other, with Mre. Keith as my vis-a-Vis,
In a far distant part of the city In the
environment of the cathedral ana the van
derbilt palaces, lives one OF New YORK
favored daughters. Rich but not IN
stocks and bonds and fine establishment
but in artistic endowment and rehnel cni-
ture. Miss Minnie Dwight. She called her
delightful coterie of dllletante friends to-
getner one afternoon this week TO meet
Miss Julia Marlowe In pleasant ohat
with this beautiful woman, who Is crenlt
and honor to her profession, ! asked nef'
confidently, II the tears she sheds 40 con-
stantiy as Barbara Freitcher OF which the
critics have written and wondered so much
about. we're the genuine article. or 1u-
dicious application OF glycerine! She as
sured me they we're real tears. It's no
wonder that she nightly, NY her tender
conception of the character of the warm
hearted Southern girl brings tears 10 the
eyes of the immense audiences whicn
crowds the Criterion.
In contradistinction TO the foregoing
must tell of an edifice which has Interested
me intensely.
The Mills hotel. This is practical liy.
ing splendid philanthropy, constructed ana
operated on strictly business principles
Mr.. Ogden Mills great mind and generous
heart originated and established this great
boon to unfortunate but self-respe ting
gentlemen. 1t Is away down in the city. so
far from Fifth avenue that il seems Ike
another world. From the corner OF Bleek-
er and Thompson, the hotel building eN-
tends over a block OF ground. The struc-
ture is of marble, stone and iron. There
are 1854 bed rooms not large, but neatly
| furnished with enamelled iron bedsteads,
hair mattresses and feather pillows and
locker for clothing. There are lavatoie;
upon each floor IN spacious square halls,
| The bath rooms are marves of neatness'
Towels and bath are furnished free TO each
| occupant of the hotel, simply by showing
the tag upon their room key. There are
smoking and reading rooms. where all the
| daily papers are supplied 4 large library
with shelves fitted with the best books
The cafe has a printed menu hung upon
! the wall. Soups, coffee, meats, vegetables
and desserts prepared by good cooks
Each article is given for cents. There
are two immense courts covered in win
glass. The sanitation and ventilation are
! simply perfection in that line. The price
of rooms are 30 and 20 cents per twenty
four hours. No intoxicated man is ac-
'commodated. The whole atmosphere is
uplifting and there Is nothing about The
entire management to suggest charity,
or TO detract from ones dignity or man
Illness Mr.. Ring, prominent young BUS
mess man of the city, was kind enough 10
escort Mrs. Warde and myself through
this wonderful hotel. Il was on Sunday
afternoon that we went and ii was as
good as a sermon to realize the greatness
creatures in establishing such place for
many wandering, discouraged boy and
many a good business man reduced in
circumstances, but with all the instincts
of Christian and agenteman. Mr.. George
Francis Train has a sunny corner room
at the Mills hotel, and We enjoyed half
hours visit TO this uniquely interesting
character. AS we left his room he said
"By the way, do you know my friend
from Texas who upset Tammany while
baclS--James ,Hogg" tr
Mrs Susan Gale Cooke is at. the Nor
mandie having come over from Chicago
to attend TO some matters pertaining TO
the Paris exposition.
] am closing my letter after a delicious
late supper down stairs. 1t was a say
scene which we Witnessed from oar table
in the brilliant lighted and beautifully
decorated cafe OF the Normandie.
Broadway hereahout at night fairly gilt
tiers with the iluminations from at least
eight theaters all within a stones throw
of the hotel. The Normandie. by the way,
has undergone some wonderful improve
ments during the past year. he dainty
reception room has been Transformed .n.o
a luxurious Oriental nook. The rich warm
coIorlng and the rudy light from jeweled
lamps gives cherry welcome new ar
rivals Mr.. Heverin and Mr. lngehart OF
Thousand Island hotel fame have par
chased the Normandie from General
Earle. The new propretors have waved
a magic wand Evidences of their lber-
Atty in pandering TO the tastes and com.
fort OF their guests land by the way. I
notice the names of many lronrpeLt
Texans upon the register) are to be seen
all over the delightful hostls-y Mi.
Alderman is most obliging, efficient
manager. and with MIR. Leeds and Mr.
Henigan In the office, there is nothing TOO
good for their patrons,
expect TO Join Mrs. Culhersol In Wash
ington next week. Rosine Ryan
Good Roads Convention.
La Porte Chronicle.
4 good roads convention Is to be held in
HnustNn durIp1 .ba Isruit Islnyyar r,.1