New-York tribune., 1901-01-13
SOME WAYS OF THE WORLD
THE SHORTENING OF THE FASHIONA-
BILE WINTER Seasonal NIGHTS
RIDE ACROSS A PRAIRIE.

The winter season nowadays is no longer the
drawn out six months affair it used to be even a
decade ago. when fashionable people opened their
town houses by November ! and remained in
them until June. To a modern smart woman
the gay season with its balls. dinners and the
opera, Is only incident I'm her eventful life
a six weeks round Of dissipation of which she
soon wearies. She often does open her town
house until after New Years. and leaves. either
hfor Europe or Southern climes before Ash Wednes-
Hday. IF she is young and strong she delights in
sport Of all knds-riding shooting golf, etc.-and
is always ready 10 leave town enjoy her favor
ite pastimes, which she will follow with the keen
zest Of
Il had new experience last year" said an up
TO date fashionable young woman recently. Jack
had some railroad business which called him of 10
the interior Of Minnesota in January and promised
me some fine rabbit shooting If l would go along
with him. OF course, / neck deep in dinners
dances, etc bat was glad to throw them all over
Tor the shooting, especially as We went out in a
private car and would only be away a week OF
course the trip was commonplace enough and not
worth describing. but the experience enjoyed was
whole nights drive in an open sleigh across the
prairies TO the ranch Of a friend who had prorn-
lsed us the shootng-a promise. by the way which
he splendidly fulfilled. The thermometer was 10
below zero, and yet you would never have i'm
agined IL was particularly cold SO still and dry
the air. Never shall forget that wonderful night
We started westward about sunset wrapped in
turs from head TO foot, with warm masks to pro-
tect our faces from being frozen by the decep-
lively still air and well supplied with patA sand
witches and whiskey and water for our late sumner
just as We started the sun disappeared beyond the
horizon, and the whole atmosphere was suddenly
crlmsoned with the most brilliant afterglow ever
saw, staining the pure, clear Western sky vivid
red and shedding its rosy radiance over the
interminabe stretch Of snow Ahead of US In the
crimson splendor, shone al first silver crescent
moon, which soon followed the sun 10 rest and as
the long twilight slowly faded away we spec over
the white plains under the most brilliant starlight
that can be imagined. No words can describe the
ether. They seemed be slowly falling upon us
like a golden prismatic rain in a lonely magical
white worlG. and had To munich a sandwich 10 feel
that II was really /, Katie X. of - Fifth-ave
Al midnight, We reached lonely farmhouse.
which was used as tavern by the few passing
and eggs. and ] had chat with the farmers wife
who told me she had sister that lived out West!
] suppo+e she thought herself in the centre Of
CIVILIZATION Then we started again across the
snowy plain, and another surprise awaited us. Up
from the north shot the long rays Of the Aurora
Borealis. II had thought the scene weird and
wonderful before. what was it now? 1t was simply
common, told in Minnesota this one hap
pened 10 be particularly brilliant. and it lasted
fui panorama by seeing the sun rise dazzingly
white fields Of snow, and reached the house OF
Jacks friends just in time for a o'clock break
fast II the night of Mrs rs ball and l
thought OF YOU all dancing the whole night through
ORDEAL OF A DEBUTANTE COMING OUT"
The coming out of fashionable girl, meaning
thereby her presentation 10 society has OF late
years developed into very important epoch in her
career, second only 10 her engagement and subse-
quent marriage. In old days although rich people
often gave dance for their debutante daughters
the majority OF girls simply became eligible for
invitations, etc, by leaving school, making calls
with their mothers and generally taking part in the
social life OF the family
Gradually. however the change from a school girl
into fun nedged young became more and
more recognized distinction until now as has
already been said. il is very important indeed
the elimination on her part and her mothers of
years OF anticipation and preparation
Not infrequently parents have sufficient foresight
10 make prudential provision for the great event
setting aside certain sum TO aid in bringing out
their girls creditaby. This giving of such i'm
portance TO girls debut seems a great mistake
III Is altogether too cruel ordeal for her to be
heraded by society writer's in all the papers before
her advent and then watched critically by the social
world. who votes her either success a failure
according 10 her ability TO smart invitations
and obtain plenty OF partners. To those who can
conlnand such attention this coming out is un-
ooubtedly delightful experience. But # is to be
@ tioneo whether such series OF triumphs
~ tunate Sohltafilons Is good for either char
acter or disposition. while for the poor maids who
heart burnings and actual unhappness thew must
experience before they become philosophical enough
ests for themselves. II is very hard for them n
realize what however is often the fact thai tbo ne
race is not always TO the swift and il frennentIy
happens that the debutante that society with
tne greatest eclat finds herself IN her second winter
far behind some one OF her associates whose onai
ties are less brilliant, but enduring some
OF these buds" amusingly frank abo,,t their
experiences. and, after all, that is far the best
way 10 take II, u the want of partners obvious
older man of friends daughter Not an aIli'
was the unexpected reply II am not a bit OF a sue
cess and naturally do not like IT, Mamma insists
upon my going 10 ali these functions but unless
my luck changes ] won't try II another winter
] can amuse myself very well without going to
balls" But the prettiest answer showing the
incest character. was that of rather neglected
little girl with sunny disposition. who when asked
the same question AT ball said. brightly "Os yes
Wnen I have the chance to dance ID is delightful
and when don't dance II is such fun watching the
Others" "And you could she really meant IL %
added the young man who was telling the story
Wasn't she dear?"
COMEDY AT THE FRONT DOOR
Some Of the overheard colioouies on the door