Los Angeles herald., 1905-04-09
Queer Uses
of Society

become worn that the question to her
self and all becomes, What now is the
lady about to do?"
4 Usually the first thing she does is to
take counsel with her best woman
friend who has not lost her fortune.
This individual often is abundant in
ideas, very suggestive and prolific in
promises to aid. Indeed, her assistance
Is sometimes invaluable, especially IL
the lady in distress has chosen some
occupation where fashionable ellen
tele is desirab BILE. This, naturally. the
Il fashionable woman is able to secure
for her friend with small exertlon to
herself. The rub, If one comes. has
probably to do with time. since this
the wealthy woman regards as being
made for slaves, while the woman
about to earn money appreciates that
of such she herself is one.
1t is amusingly told by one who has
now high position as "molder of So
ciety's opinions" that when she first
decided to give lectures on current
topics in fashionable homes, the friend
4 who was most eager to help her did In
reality little else than reiterate, Let
us cling to the idea"
The woman in need of money, how
ever, found it infinitely more lucrative
to set the idea in motion. At present
her mornings OH current topics are one
of the not to be forgotten engagements
of the winter; her cards of notification
| are tucked under the rims of many
mirrors over tables de toilette, and she
herself is deemed a success. For one
hour in each week in some fashionable
drawing room she claims the attention
of those present and speaks without
reference to notes or data on the vital
news of the day The pith of political
arguments, the hinge of international
controversies, the criticisms of art and
even the judgments of the court are
by her then set forth in concise and
striking manner
To the society woman whose every
moment is filled with engag gements and
who has little time to delve herself into
mooted questions, this discourse Is
most grateful. Frequently it sets ajog
her conversation and holds her over, 80
to speak. until again reimbursed. So
, successful indeed have these hour talks
, become that the instigator of them has
now plans af1oat to carry them on dur
ing the summer months at Newport.
Lenox and East Hampton.
Quite different is the undertaking of
younger woman of society who has
also found it necessary to make her
livelihood among her friends and ac-
quaintances. Her inspira tion, it seems.
has been the immortal Ward McAllis-
ter AS he, she teaches members of
high society how to. behave on each
and every occasion. But it Is with
young girls and growing boys that she
has most to do. In no sense can she
4 be said to give dancing lessons. When,
however, the young people have dances
or tea parties she is present, sharp
eyed for any breach of the conventions
alities. Occasionally it falls also to her
to buy such favors as are used and ar
| range all details for cotillons. She
| scans the list of invitations, being, as
her distinguished model an authority
present. This knowledge, moreover,
she has not gained through training:
! 1t is innate in her, since she is a MEM
| ber of one of the best known and infiu-
entail families of the metropolis. I'm
fortunately, her mother married out of
the charmed circle, and her relatives
of millions have found it wholesome
| discipline to let the ban of their dis
pleasure continue through the present
generation. 1t is mostly with ideas and
suggestions and the loan of their car
riages and houses that they assist her
in securing the much needed filthy
lucre.
| Yet she might we'll be regarded as a
philanthropist a doer of public good,
since she teaches young boys not to
snatch favors at dances from those
who graciously hand them out, and en-
| courages girls to set aside snobbishness
and certain rowdyism determined to
be called smart"
1t is, of course, the hardest thing for
a society woman whose pockets become
denuded to break away from her tra-
Gitons and former associates. Such
occupations as those mentioned, how
ever allow her to keep in close touch
with the world of fashion, and even to
be regarded, in a measure, as its
apostle.
There is. besides, the ubiquitous
bridge" requiring instruction, and
toward which many society women
now bend their energies. Naturally
before aspiring to teach this game the
individual must first become very skill
full in all it's intricacles and be able to
hold a front unfeased by unexpected
questions. All women have not the
head to teach bridge, since it is true OF
card players, especially those of this
game, that they are born. not made.
Women. however, who find 1t within
their abilities know also that no other
sort of instruction would pay them as