davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
THEIR LAST GOSSIP.
Session of Bridesmaids Before the swell
Wedding.
prom the 81 Louis M,rror

from the 81 Louis A-rTor.
Scene-Miss Sangrebleu's bedroom. The
week before her marriage. Personalities
S, Misses Christine, Virginia, and Mar
garet. chums of the bride-elect and brides
maids for the occasion. Flowers in pro-
! fusion; tea table with smoking samovar,
dainty china. cakes, chocolates, &c. The
girls dispersed in comfortable attitudes
around the room.
} Christine-Just think, girls, only a week
and Catharine will be Mrs. Hifii, and the
Jolly Four will be broken up; really, il
should be an occasion for tears!
Virginia-It is rather sad, for Catharine
will never be Catharine any more.
Miss S.-What rot that is! OF COURSE I'll
be Catharine just the same, only l shall
have to abjure some Of the pomps and
vanities, such as flirting promiscuousy.
and snail have TO depend upon only one
man for bonbOns and flowers.
Virginia (persistently)-But l say you'll
not be the same; there'll be no more coy
go-as-you-please teas, and as to the gossip
snd high-jinks generally, they'll be dead
issues.
Miss S.-Why: I'd like to know. / ex-
pect to continue to own a bedroom. and to
have access to my own pantry, and am
sure my tongue will continue to be free to
wag as it pleases.
Virginia-Yes, that's Just 1t: there's
where the hollow mockery comes in. With
all prOpitious environments your tongue
will be too free to wag every blessed thing
the rest of us say and do into your Har-
rvs ears, and, of course, we will all be
afraid TO say and do things like We do
now
Miss 3 (C 'ilVl-WboF
Margaret ut, oh. Catharine. you'll tell
US all abou everything, won't you?
Miss S.-What, fer instance?
Margaret-Oh, all the things Harry tells
you about the other boys, and er-er-
well, all the horrid, naughty, funny things
he used to do before he got married.
Christine-Like Clara does. Oh, she's
the dearest! Do you know. girls, I've
found out why We couldn't get the boys to
that little entertainment we planned at
nay house for New Years Eve! Ciara's
Jack told her all about it,
Chorus-What was it?
Christine-Well you know they said
they were looking for a business friend
down from Chicago, and they had prom
ised TO give him supper and show him a
good time. 1t wasn't a him at all-there,
give me some more tea, Virgie, l need
something to support me whenever l
think about it, / get so mad-and they
did have time-Jack said a roaring time
Now, what do you think of that?
Chorus-Horridi But what can you do?
Christine-Yes, and it wasn't just one
him." it was a party, and they all had
champagne and things and the boys took
them down 10 Union Station next morning
and sent them back again. No wonder
they couldn't see the old year out with US.
Margaret-No; chafing dishes and punch
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27

other insects whose Identity could not he
determined. and when they rose to the
surface she carefully SKINNED them off
with spoon.
didn't wait TO be asked. If long
sweetlng meant molasseS, short sweet
ehihg might mean plain sugar, or It might
mean no sweetening at all | looked gf
Mrs Flmley, who was giving a correcf
imitation OF Lots wife. PERTAINS also
she was waiting for more insects to come
up. ~ N0i'1e
snort sWeetenlng for me. If you'll be
SO Rlnd,, ! said, smiling delightedly.
Our complainant hostess rose from rho
table and set the molasses jug back on
the shelf Then she took down a iarga
S S vi maple sugar bit off a lump and
cropped II in my cup of coffee
somehow both Mrs. Pimley and myself
ehtireiy forgot our coffee until il was roo
coid to drink; and we declined to think
OF Iuttlng our hostess to the tronhIa Of
denllIng our cups: And for breakfast We
drank milk And during the rest of orr
snort stay IN Tennessee we stuck m a
diet OF fresh eggs at the local hotel >,
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
Romance and Reality.

From tie Louisville COUrier-JCUrnal.
1t is objected TO American history that
il does not contain romance Quite true.
1t does not contain much Neither does
that of other countries. The days of Ban
nockburn and Agincourt and the great
Armada were not bit more romantic
than the present. They were practical
sordid, and bloodthirsty and people were
as selfish as they are to-day-yes, more
so. The romance was put into those
times after they had passed away by
writers who could take whatever liberties
with the past they chose. In real life
SCOTS daring and chivalrous Highland
eTs were the most ordinary sort of, cattle
thieves lAcut-thrOats, and his Iyanhoes
and Quenm Durwards were neither pic
tureSgue in action nor attractive in char
acJer. They had TO be ground up in the
mill of his genius before they were ma
terial hit for novels. To have a great lit
erature of romance or the drama, America
must produce the genius and the latter
will easily find the subjects, making
them. If necessary.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
STRANGE EATING CUSTOMS.
Long and Short Sweeieniug as an Adjunct
TO Coffee.

From the New York Sun.
Talk about strange eating customs In
strange lands" said Promoter Pimley.
IN bet a hat l can pick up as many ua-
canny table habits between here and the
Mississippi River as you can find in
China and the Malay archipelago put to-
sether When j say that. I'm not think
ing OF naked. gra5shOppeT-eating Digger
Indians, II ;here are any Digger Indians
east OF the Mississippi. but OF respectable.
God-fearing participants in what's called
oru glorious American civilization.
Last month, for instance, l had deal
on THAI took me 10 Southern Tennessee
10 look II some land, and Mrs. Pimley
went with lie for the sake of the trip.
The man VINO owned the land turned out
tO be : woman. Il widow, WEo, besides The
2000 acres | was looking at. w2s reputed
70 own some 30,g0 more and 10 BE- worth
IT. the neighborhoOd OF three-quarters Of
a million dollars But she wasn't a proud
WOMAN. We stopped at her house The
first night we were in the town. Ii was
a two-story farmhouse that hadn't been
painted FOR a hundred years. and what
furniture there was in il had come over
az some period between the MayfOwer
ana the Santa Maria, and wasn't worth
it, transportation at that. We removed
the traces OF travel from our faces and
hands with the aid OF tin basin and SOFT
soap out behind the house. but We didn't
stop 10 find fault with our toilet accom-
nicdaii0ns with supper ahead OF rs We
hadn't seen dining car since breakfast
and were a. hungry as wolves
''The widow had evidently laid herself
out on that supper. Shed got some fresh
beef. which Ne knew was a rarity i'm
those parts. ii was a steak and 81 d
fried IT, Did YOU ever taste fried steak2
Don't And there were saleratus biscuit
a. big as grape fruit, and as yellow. AMI
boiled potatoes. and plaIe IN the middle
% the table containing what We decKed
was cake This lasJ and ourselves diviI-
ed the aWed attention Of the eight chill
dTsn AZ the table 4 vas the coffee. how
ever. that Was our downfall
" Miss Pimley, d'yOu take long or short
sweetenirg in your cOffeeT alIr hostess
inquired as she was about 10 III my wife's
cup.
Now. two marked ehara cteristies OF
Mrs. Pimley are a Discrimination 70 faurt
her ignorance ana f0Bdness for plenty
Of sugar in her coffee She considered
for a moment and said:
Long sweeteulng II YOU please "a
though she'd been accust0me1 TO the ex-
Fessi0n from her earliest youth
our hostess took down q sTickv-leok-
ing jug from an adjoining shelf and pour
81 a quantity OF very black niolasses into
the stear1ing cup. There were several
lies IL the mOlasses. and Two or three
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
TAKING BABY'S PICTURE.
"hat Happens Al the A us picious Unaer,ak,
ing i'm q Pl0tO EaIIapv

! AT ihe Anspici0us Undertake.
ing In n Photo Gallery.
/ Edwin L. Sabin, in the Certurv
Mcther-Now sit I'D straight,
/ Aunt Jane-There, that's a dearr
J Neishbor-Oh, isn't he too sweet
| Baby-Goo,
I fhotographer-Just a little farther for.
| ward-here. -''
Motner-Come, baby come,
Aunt Jane-Yes. baby must.
Baby-Ya-ya-a.
Slster-Don't cry, cid tootsy-toot. AMI
get all scowly-owly-owl,
Nelg.hbor-We'n not let naughty strap,o
man shoot s's StidHSe
a howl. N' up sucH
Aunt Jane-See, baby, see!
Slster-Bow-N
Neighbor-Ea-ba-ar
Mother-Oh, what a pittV ninturo- bool,r
by! ID
Sister-What a darling,
Baby-Ya-ai
Look N " u'e
Mother (triumphantly)-He's all right
now. q" iiSnI
NeiShbor-The little man,
photographer (wiping mis- forehead)-
rltdsG place him as he was before You
Mother-lf We can.
Sister-Chic, chic
Baby-GOo-goo,
Photographer-We'n try once more.
Aunt Jane-Hi-didd.e -diddIe?
Photographic (rattIing keysl-Rabv 900
-Clink, clink!
Neighbor-Toot, tooti
Aunt Jane-Bi-dddle-d
Slster-He looks as solemn as can he
Mother-How queerI He never is that
way! 1
Sister-The precious deart
NeishDor-The little Judge!
8aby-Goo-goO!
Aunt Jane-He knoWsI
Neighbor-Of course.
Baby-GoO-gCo,
Mother-Well. take him sober He'll not
oudse. He's like his faith baby laughs
Pnct 1grapner snaps the shutter
All the women (admiringIyl-There
Baby Knew photographer YEARLY but
thankfully wipes his foreheadD
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
The Real Article.


ffcm Psex
Smith Cezeitediy)-say. ole man. got
the cufest baby in tO1nl What DO you
suppose ne Gales his nursing bottle this
morning?
Jones tssreast!eSllyl-Goo -soo7
Smlth-So; rtlbberneck
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27

Fsoz The clsyslsas Plsln Dealer.
Did you notice the -four or the crosn
OF the Rev M Naiiers hat this morn
mgr
Yes He mus, be getting pretty cSsss
to the bottom Of the barrel"
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
MODES ARE CHANGING
Revolution in WOman's Dress
Is Taking Place.
EFFORT TO DEVISE NEW EFFECTS

The Familiar spectacle of skIn-tisht skirt
short Coat, PomPadour, and Bis Hat Has
HAD IL. Day-Caricatures Have Driven
II from the Field-Tendeney Now lie TO
Hint az ReSivals Of By-Eone Fashions
Gathered skirt for Indoor Gowns.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
Visits to Mrs. Rcnwick.

Two years afterward ACCOMPANIED by
J his wife, he took passage in one of these.
the trip occupying ninety days, and went
to live on Barclay street in a spacious
mouse, the terraced lawn in the rear of
which slOped down to the Columbia Col
lege grounds. This house, rendered at
tractive within by historic furniture
pictures, and curiOs, and beautified with
out by trees and flowers, became the CEN
ter o. the choicest society of New York,
Irving often stopping there during his
visits TO the metropolis and calling 1t his
ark
Upon HIS return, therefore. from his
memorable visit with Sir Walter Scott to
Melrose Abbey, bringing with him
/ handful of ivy, he presented ii 10 Mrs.
Renwick, whose borders already teemed
with the daisiet bluebells, and long. yell
low broom of her cherished childhood
home, and whose roof garden of rare ex-
Otics further testified to her skill In horti-
culture Under her fostering care Il
fiOurished, and when irving established
himself at Sunny Side, near Tarrytown.
he asked that she, as having the grow
ing hand" would plant a slip from 1t
near his cottage. This she did, and lived
to see both walls ani turrets empowered
in its clinging tendriis. From her garden.
too, came the shoots which supplied the
Carolinas with ivy, Mrs. William Henry
Ellet, wife cf the New York chemist, TAX
ing them with her when ner husband was
made professor in Columbia College,
South Carolina, and planting them in the
campus. There they grew luXurantly,
and furnished slips for all parts Of South
and North Carolina. In fs0S Mrs Rem
wick was left a widow with seven chill
Gren- The eldest of these, James Rem
wick, for years professor OF chemistry in
Columbia College. New York, was the
father of the eminent architect of the
same name, proofs of whose ability exist
in Trinity Church, the COrcoran house,
and the Smithsonian Institution in Wash
ington, and Grace and ST. Bartholomew
Episcopal Churches and the splendid Ro-
man Catholic Cathedral in New York. The
plans for the cathedral were made gra-
tuitously, and since Mr.. Renwick's death
three years ago, a memorial window of
him has been inserted, in which he is rep
resented as delivering them 10 the arch
bishop.
Mrs. Renwick's second daughter, Jeanne.
a special favorite with Irving who play-
fully styled her Lady Jane" married
Lieut. Cafterward AdmiraD Charles
Wilkes, the Antarctic explorer. who COM
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
PLANTED IRVINc'S IVY
How the Classic Vine Was
Brought to America.
GROWN IN MRS.RENW ICKSGARDEN

English Girl Who Inspired One Of Burns
ing, and When He Brought Back Hnnd-
full Of Ivy from England IL Was She Who
First Planted Ii in American Soii-frs m
Ii Came shoots for ,Iany states
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27

In recognition OF Washington Irving's
introduction OF the ivy into his native
State. New York, certain colleges have in
stltuted what Is known as Irving Day, on
which, amid appropriate exercises, cut
ungs OF the classic vine are planted. That
the author had a sharer in this distinc-
ton. however. one whose beauty had Civ
en- inspiration TO the pen OF BUrns. and
that through the instTumeItality of this
lady the old world plant was disseminated
throughout the CaTolinas and established
al the National Capital, wnsre il exists
to-day as one Of its chief natural adorn-
ments, are facts almost unknown. The
Hedera Helix, the old type. had been
brought into Maryland and Virginia by
the coioniSts, who, as they imported
bricks from the mother country with
which TO build their homes, imported also
the ivy 70 Chamber over them. The lower
latitude Of these provinces. together with
the humidity which obtained prior 10 arti-
fetal drainage, the Telling Of forests and
the drying up of streams, made them
fitting asylum for musings, severed from
the parent stem in fog-begirt England.
and the decay incident TO such climatic
conditions gave scope for the fulfllmen-
of their mission OF hope in weaving for
what is ruinouS a vesture of perennial
verdure, as one strews emblems of immcr
tally on the graves of the dead. In New
York, however, the severe winters and
dry summers were alike unfriendy, and
Irving's introduction of the Hedera Cana
riensis. larger species. now known as the
Melrose ivy, was a distinct triumph over
environment. The fact, too. that the alb
hey from which he obtained the cuttings
and which has given TO the variety Its
name is the burial place of the heart of
Robert Bruce. and that the authors ar
cestOr. the knight deIrwyn. was the sec
rotary, armor-bearer, and steadfast friend
of the Scottish king, forms chain of Pc
culiarly interesting circumstances. His
sharer in the honor, the 'Blue-eyed Las
Sic of Burns exquisite song, and for
merly Jeanne Jeffrey, a daughter of the
Rev. Andrew Jeffrey, pastor Of the kirk
at Lochmaben in Dumfrieshre, married
at seventeen, William Renwick, a collat-
eral descendant OF James Renwick. the
martyr, and successful merchant of Liv-
erpCOl. In conjunction with his father,
James Renwick, of New York, he estab-
lished in 1872 the first line Of packets be-
tween the English port and the American
metropolis.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
Broad Belts Again.

There is a decided tendency TO broad
belts again. l 90 not mean the wide
sWathed Wristbands OF which | have al
ready written. but belts OF material from
Tour 10 five inches wide and variously
SNAPPED, THIS should be hailed with de-
"sAI by the stout woman, as narrow
wristbands do not lessen the apparent
S-ze nearly as much as those of a wider
h-AH. Particularly belts which are wide
-AItF The arms and dip sharply 10 the
Waist line back and front are happy for
women who are inclined to embonpoint.
al The beautiful jeweled belts and hun
'rrls or varieties in silver and steel which
"ie 10 be met with seldom look as well
"H'h IN wear as the humber ceinture of
'"DI't mat Is, always excepting when
TSeA upon loose tea gown or tea Jacket
n-l 'heH they are allowed TO drop con-
S.-eiably, and this leng hens the waist
." very becoming fashion Never can
H'aly-enamelel or flleree silver belt
Uc'ier worn than on one Of the flmy
-.'-s IN which We delight 10 take our
'.''IAo"h tea There IL Is exactly in its
i.s"i place. which proves with certainty
,-~' u IS successful In every way. There
lDl only the law Of the Survival Of
..s H'iesI' but also that OF placing the
.,'esl In its right position.
"u' 70 return 10 the burning question
o.. ,Ar hour that Is, skirts The "wedge-
-'i-d skirt Is one of the new things
.""I nave come into being II is made per
...iy plain IN front and on the hips. ana
''N Tour cores IN 81. the seams OF which
come either side Of the back. the two
'."iraI ones meeting al the waist ana
. equally sweeping away to the base II
h'i"iNt these scams-which are usually
strapped or machine stitched-that tho
".a-named wedge gore Is arranged
j. IS undeniably smart. and is yas,lv
more becoming 20 the figure than the
tNt single boN-pleat. which is ant L.
Fave a disasirOus!y widening eTec,
.h'se box plests ara now nearly all
'-.'hed down with three OF four rows for
some Few inches from the waist and
'Is makes them prettier than they were
originally. IL this case many OF the
mont seams are also stitched with three
Z Your unulres.
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
Onl, Gao Visible seam.

very cieYerly contriyed are the skirts
.A.h have only one visible seam. ami
..t' lH The center ~ the front, the back
o.' b'lls hidden By the two pleats. which
-,'' On these, Instead Of darts being
-'' Oh TIE hips, there are tiny tuekines
,-t a.' The way round The waist. which
80" outward and extend downward
-'' ABOUT three inches. terminating IN
Ten gradual points that they allow the
....N 10 III with delightful accuracy. But
I''haBs the skirt which best exemplides
.-e Skin % the modiste OF The roor,e,, b
'ai which IS perfectly DlaIn over IN.
lips but about two inches helow il ruck-
~ vertically I'LL within sor.e -, tncbes
We hem. These tucKs start O., i'm,
!o.H's. widening a. thew ertend - ma,
'Is bottom OF the skirt baner ~ san
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27

A quite delightful departure, and one
the individuality for which l can vouch,
is a skirt and coat III two shades Of the
same color. Thus. skirt Of nankeen tan
looks well with a neutrality-suspicious.,
rather long-basqued coat Of tabac-brown,
opening upon a vest Of dull-red cloth
that closes with small gilt buttons. The
whole conception, colOring, construction,
everything. is decidedly charming
OF course just now the pleated skirt
holds the field. 1t is seen on three-quar-
ters OF the new models. These are all
made over a drop skirt, and are
very elaborate, rot so much, perhaps
in the actual materials used-though
these are bound TO be Of the very best
ouality-but in the designing of the toilet
and the arranging OF its various colOrs
and decorations Misunderstanding does
not flag in favor one iota. II is abso-
lutely ubiquitous, so that one wonders
vaguely how ore wore clothes IN ancient
DAYS without the addition of these par.
allel lines. Certainly the recognition of
The machine as a thing capable of orna-
mentatiOn. as well as of strict utility has
been long time in coming. but it has
no possible chance of complaining of a
half-and-half popularity now that it has
once obtained this proud position.
As / write | am gazing at a house gown
Of automobile cloth that is really a mar
vel Of stitchery, though it is made quite
plainly. Right down the front from throat
10 hem run some dozen rows of white
stitching. while from the shoulders, curry
ing 10 the waist. are more rows of stitch
Ing. and round the hips dipping slightly in
the front, are they again to match. The
Sleeves are machine-stitched for quite
couple Of inches at the top. The belt is
Of lovely shade OF green velvet, and
made almost In Swiss fashion, save that
II Is tucked and fastened on the left side
with two chou bows
The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27

Ore 81 the very best authorities asserts
49, the gathered Skin; Is the very latest
mode. With Felix and Worth In Paris for
house wear. Al a private opening saw
on. 81 lustrous black taffeta made over
q g1-r5 drop skirt OF white taffeta about
rs-.s wards wide. The black taffeta skirt
ta-.f must have been six yards around,
al 10 vas not very much gOred either.
me front was plain, but az each side OF
. space about seven inches wide. half
t-ea g.eats were laid turning toward the
front These were not stitched or press
o. They continued at intervals around
3 the center back, where full gathers re-
Iaaed them. The skirt had moderate
I-sla. and was trimmed with rows Of
black ribbon velvet 10 the knees. The
L,vr- row was about an inch and hSlf
vice. the upper about a quarter inch. The
waist o. this distinguished looking novel
20 was Of accordion plated white chlnon
over white taGeta- There was a half low
l5,er0 worn over this that was made Of
va..e six gauze thickly striped with
BACK velvet ribbon. The round neck was
:. I'D ia with a little yoke Of gauze APP
liqucd win cream guipure. The collar
vas combination OF The ribbon striped
g-uze and cream guipure. The sleeves
we're Ike every other detail of this mod
a, the very latest that is, they were half
a. the striped gauze and lie lower half
o. gWpure.
There = a great change in dress right
here al our doors Looking back over
what has been during the last two or
three years. ID now seems inevitable that
che present reaction should have come
shout We are getting distressingly into.
s.-rrptyped sets and grooves, a tendency
that has Of late induced a little unpleas-
cat exaggeration as the only means Of
asserting and lifting ourselves out OF the
common ruCk Of things The merely fash
tilab.e woman. therefore, Is not the
yi-@surabie sight she was a short time
.s0. since We now demand that there
snail be in the style adopted some char
acteTistic touch. The too familiar spec
'-c.e OF the skin-tght skirt, surmounted
by short coat yariously basqued, hair
punched out over a frame, and an exag
lerated t0qUe. has had It's day, and hap
ply indeed IL is so, for there vas ma
t-rial irresistible to the caricaturlst's pen.
i is the cult Of the moment to rather af-
feet ignorance OF the latest decree OF
- mode, and 10 hint at deep historical
research into the archives OF old for
original and becoming models. This. OF
course. in reason is well enough, and
procedure TO be highly commended; but,
alas, il has limits