The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-28
SOCIAL COACHING
AT THE CAPITAL
How the Woman New Washington Life Is Prepared for
the Social Campaign by an Expert in Official Costumes
Copyright, 1902, by B. J. Rotart.
Copyright, 1902, by B. ]. Rotart.

guided Mrs. Root, Mrs. Hanna, and
Miss Spaulding through the social
labyrinth. While Mrs. Roosevelt is a
Presidents wife to the manner born,
she has found Miss Hagner's knowl-
edge of people and official customs
invaluable.
Miss Hagner was a society girl
observant and popular, compelled by
adverse circumstances to turn her So
cial talents to financial account. Par
ucularly has she won the regard of
the Chief Executive by her tactfulness
and reticence on all subjects bearing
on the private life of the White
House, knowledge of which would de-
light the public. 1t is reputed that a
recent legacy of 100000 may make it
unnecessary for Miss Hagner to con-
tinue as arbiter of Washington's So
cial circle.
The lesser lights in the coaching
line are Miss Nellie Hunt, formerly
Mrs. Hobart's secretary, and Miss
Helen johnson. These three women
are the recognized authorities, so to
speak, though in a quiet way many
other women are taking up the bust
ness. An experienced coach can look
after the interests of several patrons,
particularly if the latter are amenable;
and the woman who is not amenable
coach at all.
How Some Women Won Out Unaided.
Instances there are of women who
have Travelled the thorny path and
found f1owery beds of ease on their
own responsibility, but their progress
was not to be envied. When one of
these in particular first came to Wash
ington blase society pretended to be
highly amused at her hearty, II like
you so much; come and see me often,''
or Il should like to have long talks
with you" But the lady declined to
become perfunctory. She lives, as
she did in her Western home, simply,
unaffectedly, Hospitality, and she en-
joys a large circle of genuine friends
which she refuses to sacrifice on the
altar of good form, as it is recognized
in official circles.
Another woman who has won on
her merits comes from the Middle
West. Seemingly she prefers her quiet
home life in Ohio to the seething so
cial cauldron of Washington society,
for she rarely joins the Congressional
colony. When she does, however she
enjoys a veritable ovation, for she has
won hosts of friends through her
charming personality. Her manner is
what women term sweet"
Generally speaking, however the
woman who scorns the services of the
coach finds breakers ahead.
Official circles are still laughing
over an incident which marked last
seasons dinners. A newcomer gave
dinner without the aid or consent
of any coach or well-versed friend.
The result was that the guests, one
and all, were affronted by the table
arrangement, for they were seated
without reference to their official
rank. To make things worse the
hostess had a new force of servants,
inefficient and ill-trained, and her but
Ter, having been taken suddenly ill,
was replaced by the one first at hand.
The soups were served cold, and as
much of the wine as had escaped the
populations of the kitchen force, came
on warm. The affair was brought to
a dismal and hopeless end by the
hostess giving vent to an ungovern-
able temper, voiced in a vocabulary
which drove the guests from the din
ing-room and the servants from the
kitchen. Nor could the hostess speed
her parting guests, because of a vio-
lent attack of hysteria which followed
upon the heels of her display of tenn
per.
All this might have been saved by
a judicious appeal to the coach.
The Predicament of n Senator's Wife
1t was a senator's wife who, having
successfully ran the social gauntlet,
brought upon her head no end of care
fully yelled laughter by entertaining
the daughter of her husbands most
powerful constituent, a newly enrich
ed mine owner. The young woman
had views of her own which no amount
of Eastern boarding schools could al
ter. Her hostess was to present the
heiresS to hundreds at reception on
a patriotic holiday. Imagine her dis
may when the young woman appeared
before her arrayed in a gown which
she deemed particularly appropriate to
the occasion pale blue satin decked
with streamers of crimson and white.
No amount of persuasion could induce
her to change this vivid, If patriotic,
raiment, and what her hostess suffered
during the evenings festivities is a
thing not to be described in words.
Originality is a dangerous gift-in