The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1910-03-05
THE CHAPERON NECESSARY.

| LIZ S111AI ElO-N NEI ESSAR1.
For two seasons the chaperon il
Lcndon society of the highest class
found her occupation gone. Boy anG
girl dances, with the hostess for sole
duenna, were the first step to hel
dismissal, and young womanhood
soon found itself almost completely
emancipated. 1t was regarded as
quite dowdy to be accompanied in
the usual manner of past years by a
married friend, who was supposed to
have one in her charge during a
| dance or at the play.
! Some mothers were doubtful as to
| the propriety of this state of things.
| Others took very kindly to it. After
all the lot of the chapeyon is not
roses, roses all the way The so.
ciety Of other chaperons is not in.
variably found to be stimulating.
But the season just passed has
called them into requisition again.
Society gave the new plan fair
trial and then decided to reject it,
says the Queen
Perhaps the chaperon was a little
too conscientious in the performance
of her duties. Certain it is that she
now takes a much lighter view of
them. She has learned her lesson.
Her former idea that the girl in
her charge should return to her af-
ter every or nearly every dance has
been corrected. No longer does she
need to take up her position in some
corner easily accessible to partners
and readily discernible by the chap
eroned. By the new order of things
her mere presence in the house is
all that is required. She arranges
where she may be found should the
girl need her; settles with the latter
the hour of going home and then dis
misses her charge from her mind for
the evening.
One of the principal duties of the
Victorian chaperon was to encourage
eligible partners and to discourage
detrimentals. This would be regard
ed as unwarrantable interference by
the emancipated girl of the present
moment. What would be her indig- |
nation if the lady should venture to
look for her in the various hooks for
sitting out without which no hostess
would dream of giving dance?
Yet such things as these we're
done by the stern duenna of Vic
torian days. She now has learned
her place and has taken to heart
ralleyrand's immortal saying, Sur
tout, pas trop de zele!"
But why has she been reinstated?
The other plan was found unsatis-
factory. All concerned have found
t 50.
The hostess first perceived that
Ter responsibility became heavy. The
mothers of girls invited discovered
hat the disadvantages of the situa-
ion at times became acute. The
girls themselves acknowledged that
very ready scandal found a freer
ongue when no chaperon was pres
mt to offer shield against calumny.
hey found that they were positively
more at liberty to do as they liked |
Vhen chaperoned than could be pos
IDLE otherwise.
Last of all, but far from being
east. young men prefer the presence
f the chaperon. How get rid of a
irl after dance if one cannot take
er back to one appointed spot?
The situation had other difficulties
lifting out with a charming girl is
II very we'll for half an hour or so,
ut the amusement if prolonged is
pit to lead to risks connected with c
latrimony by giving chance to
,andal. r
All parties being tacitly agreed, Q
len, the chaperon returns to her
lace, with it's few pleasures and it's Il
any penalties. Society has discov- a
ed that it cannot do without her. n
THAT A HOSTESS t
HOULD SHOW TO HER GUESTS.
Entertaining house guest success.
lily includes leaving her alone oc- il
as we'll as providing d
nusement for her. For there are c,
W persons who do not at times
arm for solitude, and one who is a.
way from home has small duties
lich must be attended to and for OF
lich time is required.
The simplest household is less up W
t if breakfast is sent to the Dc
est's room on a tray. Even with
e servant this is easiest, because kt
e morning meal is always a hur- a
ID one, and with a stranger at the
Die there is more form to be OBJ fir
rved, or certainly one more indi-
1ua1 IN ha norad for and univ |