The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-28
City's Social Life
THE GAYETIES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE WEEK

Interest in the horse show is increasing
each day, and the success OF the anair' as
far as the soc:sy part is concerned, Is as
sured- Those who have taken the boxes are
probably taking the most active interest In
the various arrangements. and they are
busy making their plans for the entertain
ment OF the guests who shall snare tneir
boxes. A number OF these hosts and host
esses have their lists OF guests arranged
already. The boxes will each hold but six
people. vet as different parties may be en-
tertained at the different events those who
hold the boxes will have an opportunity of
inviting a goodly number OF their friends
to enjoy the pleasures OF the show with
them.
As vet little has been said about the
handsome gowns. but much has been done.
and IL Is whispered that all the modistes in
town are at their wits end TO meet the de-
mands made upon them for new gowns
and other accessories appropriate to this
particular occasion
The coaches will doubtless attract as
much attention as any other feature Of the
horse show. number are to be imported
for the affair. and, when the opening day
arrives, # will be discovered that several
coaches will be on hand, the proud owners
OF which will be Indianapolis men.
Something About Mary MacLane.
Nothing shakes the deeply grounded as
surance OF Chicago 30 completely as to
throw the city on its own artistic Judgment.
The critics almost fall into a panic when
obliged to give an opinion on bit OF art
for which they have no TRADITIONS to con-
suit. Mrs. Patrick Campl(n began her
American engagement in Chicago and from
the mass OF wabbling, contradictory crit
icism gathered that she was accepted as In
England a hrst-class actress until the
New York estimates set her right. In Chi
caso there IL doubt that she was helped
10 fame by the fact that Mrs. Potter Palm
and other residents OF the Lake Shore
Drive entertained her.
More recently Mary MacLane has come
out of the West and confused Chicago re-
viewers. Is she a genius or is she freak
are questions even yet discussed in the
papers Such were her social vagaries. how
ever, that no woman who attended the tea
given for her by Miss Lucy Monroe will
ever admit that she possesses even talent.
The first writer to defend the young au-
thor was Mrs. Peattie. one Of Chicagos
ablest critics. The book. she admitted. was
mistake, but 1t contained thought and the
style was virile. Plainly 1t was the duty
OF Chicago citizens to treat the girl with
exceeding gentleness when she comes into
our midst
At the tea Mrs. Peattie was one Of the
first to be introduced and this was the re-
ception that she met with:
"Oh," said Mary MacLane, you're that
woman who reviewed my book in the Trib-
49,
you were talking about"
Following Mrs. Peattie elderly beau
was presented and said afably. by way of
greeting. that he was sorry Miss MacLane
hated men, but inasmuch as such was the
case. he could only hope that she would
hate him no worse than the others.
"Humph," retorted the young woman.
squirting up at him. Hate you worse than
j do the others, you're fool Do you think
] would condescend to waste one of my
little thoughts on you? Why should hate
you worse than the others?
Having delivered herself of this epigram-
matte language. she told the woman who
next greeted her that the only person she
could tolerate in Chicago was the Monroes'
cook.
Isn't IL curious" observed the woman
idly, that water is not the only thing that
seeks its own level?"
With the next breath the girl explained
to a new conner that the people there as
sembled did not see the real Mary Mac
Lane. Her real self was hidden that after
noon under the manner of the social bud.
which she was assuming.
Two days later Mrs. Stone herself, the
mother OF Miss MacLane's manager, en-
tertained the girl at dinner at the Lake
Forest Club. Miss MacLane did not go
through the formality OF greeting her
hostess when they met at the railway sta
ton and the two did not speak during the
first four courses of the dinner. In a pause,
while the dishes were being removed, how
ever. Miss MacLane shouted the length of
the table at her hostess. 'I suppose you're
what they call a perfect lady, and then
continued her tete-a-tete with Mr.. Stone
at her own end of the table.
Since the date of her visit her book has
not sold well in Chicago Whether she be
talented or be crazy the Chicago reviewers
could not determine. but even the Chicago
critics make sure that she has bad man
ners. and the fact has had distinct in
fuence on the literary estimate of her
autobiography.
Events OF the Past Week.
Miss Josephine Robinson entertained the