The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-08-04
THE DESER TED CAPT "
By Fred eric .: Haakin.

sssoseoTec
There are many cities which weas,
Is slightly deserted aspect during the
dog days. but In the number OF resi-
licences empty not only during the
summer. but good pars Of the spring
and early fall, as well. none can com
pare with Washington Along Massa-
chusetts or New Hampskire Avenue.
or sixteenth street, or any OF the
other famous residential tnorongn
fares you may walk past solid blocks
/ 81 = ornate, pretentious architecture
without seeing window opened 70
the sun or hearing q human voice.
There Is practically no trafac upon
these streets. which wealthy residents
nave purchased and left 70 silence anc
neglect.
There are number Of causes for
this state of affairs. One OF them, OF
couse, is the departure OF the 1oreisnl
ambassadors to various summer re-
sorts, each embassy carrying In IT'S
wake a loyal following OF Wasnfne-
tonians The Austro-il -ngarian am
bassador is stationed at Lennox. The
Russian, and Spanish diplomats chose
Nawport and each has q little coterte
I of Washingtonfans who are contlnu
ing the friendly intercourse OF the
winter. The British and Italian am
bassadors selected Beverly. ana,
while the ambassadors spend most o.
their time in Washington. occupying
bachelor apartments in the embassy
buildings, the women, who are com
narrative newcomers, are cementlns
friendships which have been strength
ened by Italy's alliance with the cause
of the allies.
Social Festivities,
The great number of closed houses
a
closed social season this year. now
ever The possibility OF hosttlities
has deferred several members OF the
cabinet. as well as the highest ON
| GERS of the army and navy from clos
ing their town houses this year a
few diplomats have also remained IN
the city. The women OF the famines.
limbued with praiseworthy tnciina-
ton to share the responsibility 81
their husbands. or desire 70! 70 1 1.s,.a =
the midst of things, are also SUI her mere.
This little circle is gazing gay
round of dinners and dances. Ihe
nassing Of the portfolio OF state 20 q
new secretary has been made tne ex-
clse for many affairs. MIS-. Lonsins
| has been the guest OF honor our,ns
I the past month, and the excuse lof
more entertainments than mas any
other woman in Washington, dur1ns
Il -,
Festivities, Involving as they do only
about a dozen houses, do little TO De
tract from the deserted appearances
of washington as whole. Row a1ter
row of magnificent houses stand emp
~ securely closed and barrtcadeds
firm and forbid ding In appearance.
Washington Is said to contain 2
larger number Of palatial re ESQ s,ss
occupted but few weeks during the
vear if at all. than any other city IN
the world. Within the last ten years
| n has become more the social center
~ the nation than ever before. ana
has. therefore, attracted large
number OF wealthy social leaders
from other cities, who nave pulls
homes suitable for large social rune
lions. Few of these houses are oc-
cnnied more than two or three months
I'm the year, often scarcely as many
weeks. Yet most of them are IN the
charge of caretakers who will have
them In readiness for occupancy with
IN twentyfour hours II their owner
suddenly desire to return.
Society Climbers.
1T is well-recognized TACT tnas
newly rich people now come more
freouently to Washington than g
lsNaw York to secure social recogni-
| ton. In a single season clever vs.
man. NAV secure slight but secure
footing upon the rounds of the soc1as
ladder. and her first requisite IS Z
sufta Bile house in which to entertain.
After It has served its purpose, 1t may
not longer interest her. a beauS1Iul
house, with an elaborate garden sur
rounding it, was built Few years
I ago by a western woman who desired
i to marry of her daughter. She FUR
lnished the house sumptuously and IN
!, troduced the young woman. They oc-
! cupied it only four months. but dur
I fng that time secured the desired IN
itroductions. The daughter married
q foreign nobl faan a few months Ia
tier. The handsome house has oeenl
| closed ever since.
Every newcomer to washington
does not receive the desired social
racoenition. and a closed and dfsman-
fled house may tell story OF soctal
failure. A woman who had inquired
IN sensational divorce trial In New
Work announced her intention or
making her future home in Washin 5
ton after her re-marriage. a mouse
was rented for her, While q paial l.fl
residence was being erected ana sne
issued invitations lavisniy, enpscl.Ms
others in return. But the divorces
question was receiving much atten-
ffon at that time. The mistress OF
the white House took the stand tina.
| If the queen of England declined to
ireceJva divorces In court. 1T be-
hooved Americas official leader to pc
equally circumspect. The tnvltatfons
"a the white House we're not forth
coming - and this determined the pro-
cednre Of the whole onicial set. Being
3thug denied admission to the charmed
circle she had hoped to enter. Ma
dame took revenge by keeping her
new house closed, SO that its darkenec
,uzzinanma MIGHT annoy the neiEhbors