The sun., 1909-02-07
A new GOLDEN BOHEMIA
WHOSE COAST rs NOT FAR
FROM FIFTH AVENUE.
social Set That Has Been Developed In
New York In Recent Years-A Typical
Gathering In the World Where No
One Ii supposed Ever 20 he Bored.

SOCIAL Set 1nat Hns tecn DeNeIOptu "
New York In Recent Years-A Typica
Gathering In the World Where n,
One Ii supposed Ever TO he Bored
New York has suddenly awakened tC
the fact that il possesses Bohemia which
is different IL is as much astoDished by
the new acquisition as a baby that see'
its big toe for the first time. The pos
session of such a brilliant fringe 10 it'
society IL one OF the characteristics OF {
metropolis. II Is one of the features OF {
big city that New York was slowcst Il
acquire.
That the coast Of this new bohemia lies
near Fifth avenue was made clear one
day recently whep two entertainments
for IL were given on the same evening
In former years 1t was hard enough to
assemble large enough company in the
fat 10 make one such party go. From
this the increase Of tho settlers on the new
golden coast may be judged.
There are. OF course, leaders in the
set. The richest of all is woman who
now lives In New York. although she
comes from wealthy California family.
She has been married three times and her
present income in spite OF this fact is
more than $500. 600 year.
Her last party was given in honor OF a
young native Of Honolulu who was here
on his way TO Paris where he lives and Of
\ dancer who has become very popular
in the new bohemia. Whether because
she dances with snakes and little else on
or on account of her classic beauty. she
has been the guest OF honor at more than
one OF these functions during the winter
This ball was typical Of the majority al
though It was perhaps more elaborate.
ard as II shows how the new bohemia en-
tertains il is worth describing.
A long room running across the front
Of a Fifth avenue restaurant was covered
with carpet and there the guests were re-
ceiveo and there the buffet supper was
spread, From the room stretched in l.
shar another long apartment at one end
Of which sat the orchestra. The floor was
polished and there the guests danced.
There was no cotillon as there might have
been had the ball been modishly smart and
not Bohemian. There was no vaudeville
or other set entertainment, the guests
sr ending rheir time in, conversation or
dancing as they pleased.
The hostess received in very decorous
fashion all the guests, who were inthe main
dressed in fancy costumes. Walters pur-
sued then, with champagne and the buffet
was supplied with the usual delicacies of
such suppers. 1t was impossible to turn
ones head in any direction without dis
covering a waiter at ones elbow with a
bottle OF champagne. 1t was not until
very late in the festivities or very early
in the morning that the influence OF this
hospitality began To be felt.
A few women from the stage, several
accomp anied by their husbands, among
them a well known New York jeweller who
prefers to attend these parties rather than
any other kind. show girls and those who
have graduated from their ranks, some of
the more conspicuous women on the music
hall stage and a small sprinkling Of
women who have established themselves
in successful millinery or similar business
occupations-these were some Of the guests
on the distaff side. They were generally
quite as decorous in demeanor as IL they
were al a formal ball. 1t was seldom that
a was YOU escaped any Of them before 2
o'clock in the morning.
The men were few of the younger
club members. some actors and young
brokers who might he eligible for the
Cub TO Judge from their appear
ance. u was surprising how large a
number Of the men were newcomers in the
city. II was rare TO find among them
any that had lived here for any length
OF time, There is of course no distinction
AS to race in the new bohemia.
The guests at the hall in question
amused themselves 10y dancing and watch
ing the antics OF those who were dressed
in the most eStravagant OF the costumes /,
There were occasionally small incidents
that taxed the patience of the newer I
in this atmosphere, but as rule |
the dignitied and cheerful feeling was
not disturbed.
Such small incidents occasionally came
10 the surface. One of the men present
had a costume which was largely held .
in place by button fastened at the small ,
nj his back TO undo that button meant |
immediate and final destruction to his ,
costume and embarrassment not only |
10 bimself hut TO the guests who hap .
pened to be in his neighborhood. There |
was no apparent reason. however, why .
in the world anybody should try TO undo .
The button
But 10 the mind Of one man who accepted .
TOO frequently the invitation of the .
waiter at bis elbow there seemed nothing
20 alluring as the pleasure of unfastening
that button; and he seemed determined .
10 DO IL at any cost.
In vain the wearer of the costume that .
depended on this button saw his enemy
and crossed the room TO get out OF his ,
way. just as he felt himself free from his |
soft touch in the small of his |
back would show that the button was in /
imminent danger.
A protest, followed by retreat to another .
part Of the room. was no more effective |