The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-23
Does "Society" Pay ?
r N THE COLUMNS of that edition
de luxe of American daily jour
l. nalism. the indianapolis Press,

Il nalism, the Indianapolis Press,
appears an instructive article
entitled, "What 1t Costs to Do So
cety in Indianapolis" The caption is
susceptible of various constructions,
but the intent of the writer Of the
article In the Press was to indicate
the approximate average expenses
necessary to be incurred by those de-
sirous of maintaining an average po-
stion in what is called the best So
ciety of the Indiana capital. Before
considering the figures it should be
said that Indianapolis is by no means
a plutocratic city. 1t has few million
aires. Most of it's social leaders have
been recruited from the well-to-do
ranks of plain business and profess
sional men, and happily are yet more
inclined to value character and ac-
complishments than mere wealth
alone. 1t may therefore be taken as a
fairly representative type of American
inland cities of the second class.
Beginning with the matter of dress,
an estimate of $4,000 n year is sug-
gested as appropriate for the wife who
has social ambition. We are told that
she may be expected to have, each
season, two handsome tailor-made
gowns, one for winter, one lighter for
spring. These gowns range in price
from $T5 TO $3.50. For evening each
season, one very handsome and one
second best gown are considered
proper. The first is of rich material,
and costs $50; the second perhaps sh ,
gets within $780, She also manages to
need about two dinner gowns during
the season, and these cost about 500
each. Then she has one handsome
gown made to Wear when assisting at
teas and receptions, and this costs
four or five fancy waists, ranging in
price from $50 to $40. Her sealskin
coat costs from $3.50 up, and her
| shorter fur wrap about SIS. Her long.
| light party wrap may be had for $50
or SO. Then she has q shorter wrap
which she wears to afternoon teas and
| to the theater, and this will cost about
| $40 or $50. She takes at least two pat
tern hats--one for winter and one for
summer-and these may be put down
at $35 each. Her other hats will aver
! age SIS to $50. If she goes in for golf
| il must be tailored and silk lined. Her
jacket will cost from SO to 500. She
| has her shirt waists, and this is IN
item of about $50 a year. Gloves
shoes, ribbons, chiffons and the ac-
cessories of dress, to say nothing OF
takes pride in-silk petticoats, etc
make up the remainder. For the
grown daughter who does not sew
$500 to 5000 additional is allowed 70,
dress.
AS to the costs of entertaining, OF
course the variations in possible ex.
pense are innumerable; but the con.
tributor to the Press, in trying tc
reach an average, writes: Some
hostessec claim they can entertain
cheaper by keeping their own cooks
and others think it economy to hire
|
she is hired she gets from SO to s.
with 81 for each of her helpers. On,
hostess, whose nome is the center o
many of the seasons handsomest en-
tertainments, claims that a dinner {,
ten guests may be given for $15. Thi
is, of course by simply serving tn,
things that are in season, nicely pre-
pared. When one serves the delicacie
out of season-like strawberries il
February-the bill runs up. To Civ,
dinner for ten, with wines and al
the accompaniments, will cost abou
$40. The average hostess gives abou
six dinners during the year. For
state dinner say, when there Is a bi
parsonage to entertain. the dinner bill
may easily run up to 5000 for abou
sixteen guests. OF course, a Dime
like this only comes once or twice Il
ten years. But it is safe to estimat
three dinners of from fourteen to six
teen and three OF from six to tel
guests. Six luncheons probably vii
be given during the year, and thes
are estimated all the way from 81
to s25 and on UP. Musicales are tn
cheapest way to entertain, especiall
IL one has visitors or friends who Wi
sing for nothing. Such an entertain
ment may be gwen for about 81;
This includes stringed instruments 10
accompanying the voice and ices TO