The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-03
BY HE ARBITER

again she failed to meet his standard
But her youth and beauty had appealed 20
him.
Il am so sorry, Gnadige fraulein. but
truly cannot allow you 10 pass"
But she said. Il am quite decollete "
He was obdurate. her dress was not low
enough % meet his standards, and there
threatened to be a long dispute. when
she said. beaming up 10 him with her
most captivating smile, (which box will
the Emperor occupy to-night-the royal
box at the back of the theater or the
private one mar the stage?'
The hofloge'
Well" said the girl. slipping a mark
into his hand and turning her back to
him. the front Of my frock may not be
very decollete, but as our seats err away
down In front the Emperor will have only
view OF my back. anS that Is surely
decollete enough to satist.- any o-e'
Enter, fraulein. entv~. What yps say
ls quite true, sid the oDseClI.7Is at
tendant who was moIline7 by tLe drink
geld and the insinuatins ns1ret Of TIE
young American
II is Of course, not Ivrni sible to in
wife a young woman 10 an. evening en-
tertainment without a chaperon. though,
unhappily, Il is often done. An invita-
ton sent 10 a young womav for formal
affairs should always incluSe her mother,
or some elderly woman of he family.
The American cus,om Of sendin, several
young women 10 a ball with a very young
chaperon, who is often younger than the
girls she has IN charge, Is much to be
deplored- II is convenient. but not dig
nified. AS much Of a bore as Il is for a
mother 10 chaperon her daughter to the
many entertainments a society young
woman is asked 10. Il IS stu a duty which
she cannot escape. No young woman is
capable OF engineering her social life. 1t
Is impossible for her 20 distinguish be-
tween the people whom she meets, and
many sad marriages have resulted from
the failure Of girls parents 10 guard them
against meeting undesirable men.
in Europe a young woman without a
chaperon IS received nowhere. or course
this does not apply 20 a woman Of ma
ture age. who has been out a number of
seasons and has learned 10 recognize
pitfalls and 10 Judge the people she meets
II is an aaectation FOR such a person 10
affect a ChapeTon. An amusing tale Is
related Of "a rich old spinster Of Wash
ingtOn some sixty-fve years old at the
time this incident occurred. who. hap
pening to be alone At White Sulphur
rushed IN TO the young wife Of a foreign
minister and begged her 20 chaperOn
her to the bali that evening. rs # was
/ imposs bic for her 10 go unattended.
The minister's wife took the request very
E L
she should have been considered old
enough 10 chaperoD a woman who might
have been her grandmother.
In America there Is Ht;le provision for
the comfort OF chaperons. and some
times at the large receptions they must
stand about all the evening instead OF
seating themselves Cor coy chat with
their intimetes Chains and settles should
always be provided for the dowagers, and
the men OF the house where the recep-
ton IS taking place should look 10 it that
they are well taken care Of. The most
successful young men are those who look
after the chaperons. 1t may not be as
much fun TO minister 10 the wants q a
plump old lacy as TO dance with a debu-
tante. but It is bread cast upon the wa
ters. and The return is sure Nothing so
appeals to a middle-aged or old woman
as courtesy and attention from young
people.
l. Question VIII You kindly tell me Who is the
acknowledged leader i'm Washington society," I am
a comparative stranger in town. and this subject
has been frequently discussed that I would like
20 ASK yOJr dCtum I may As wcll be frank and
o. I frep ID 20
letters that am writing for some European papers.
Answer: The Arbiter will not answer
any questions Of such a personal nature.
2. Question: Kindly inform me through your
columns H it Is good foYn for a young woman 70
ray to older woman. Il am very pleased 10
meet yGli, when intr0duced.-S, C. q.
Answer: No it is emphatiealiy not good
form for a younger person TO make such
a patronizing remark TO an older one. 1t
seems to have become an established Gus
tom, but it is nevertheless bad taste. All
advances of a social nature Should come
from the older woman. It is not for a girl
to express pleasure AT her Introduction TO
a woman who is old enough to be her
mother
3 Question: I am very anxious to know some
ladies Il the diplomatic corps. Would i be proper
for me "a call upon the wives Of some Of the men,
bers upon their reception daysl
Answer: Certainly not. unless you are
introduced BY some common friend
l. Question: This s an earnest question which
think. deeply concerns the public. deeply that
I am begging your expert opinion regarding it.
The other night ] went 20 play tha; / have long
looked forward 20 seeing with the peasantest an
tCipatiuns. but / was 50 annoyed by the laughing
talking, and frivolous conduct generally Of theater
party IN Que Of the boxes that all my ENJOYMENT
was destroyed, and / went home feeling hate in my
heart One Of the party was a v0uug maltimil-
lionairess, and all the others belonged to what is
regarded the smart set among them were
one Of the governors Of a noted Washington club.
4 Wsll-knoWn member Of Congress, among whom
there seemed % be a TivalTy as to who could talk
the American voice infatuated when first read
it, but fear have come 20 agree with him. Tell
me, dear Arbiter. YOU who seem to have the
nothing be done 20 prevent the noyveau richie and
their Tx from disturbing the comfort Of those who
50 to the theater 70 be entertained, and not to
cackle like a lot Of hens or CROW ike a lot Of
FocsteTs?
Answer: No. I think there is no de-
Tense against the custom you mention,
unless the managers of theaters can be
compelled to insist on the proper conduct
of their patrons. It is absolutely unpar-
donable for people who occupy boxes to