Deming graphic., 1915-11-12
(l,y Mrs. Spofford)


Al the time with which We are con
cerned. family hotels in Washington
were places where people. who were
fond of society. could get more of It
for their money than living in any
other way.
the family hotel was very popular
II was kept or should say presided
ovcr--by Madam II. indeed genius.
She had combined three old aristo
cratic mansions into one hotel. One
of theses houses had been the Wash
ington home of Thomas jefferson.
The reception room. ar "drawins
ROOM" n. il was called, was an old
fashioned saloon paror, with marble
pillars slightly dividing ii into Nv"
rooms. The widows reached nearly
Ia the ceiling. and came down almost
to the floor. There were two grand
old mantels. somewhat resembling the
ones to be seen in the Whitchou-e, m.
which rested massive mirrors. framed
in heavy gilt. The room was furnish
ed well with Colonial furniture. The
tapestry of refined richness and bro
cade window draperir-. we're pun II
back. showing the patterns "f rare
old lace curtains at the windnN>. liut
the magnificent old chandelier, with
H. numerous sparkling pendants. Was
the pride ui the house.
Anothcr parlor had been fitted M
~ n card room. where almost every
evening were gathered the whist
Iirnd>." and other lovers of the game.
Still another saloon. ar wide coi
rid"r. wa> used when the Young people
wished to dance. aud the piano Wa,
turning out dance music most oi the
time. The wong people seemed 81 much
lo ENJOY themselves IN their own way.
II will be- seen that Madam Il pro-
,idcd for practically every kind of
'sls3n5 Lail IuI ludui1~u'i;u "'d"n..u. I,
Her drawing rom wa~ the >rene
oi brilliant receptions and AT homes
gwen hN the congressional ladlc-. ~
the wivc- at The member, oi both
houses "t congress were called 9th
or distinguished Soarders entertain.
ed also: and on all these occa>ion,.
Madam Il seemed iu ne the hu~tc~s
while the ladir~ receiving stood lu
lihe Ia welcome their guc>t'.. she
moved through the throng. mlrndur-
ing some. talking intimately with 9th
err. ever must careful Ia see that the
strangers especially received some
marked attention.
Some pcr-ui~ were unkind enough
to ,uli Madam Il y flntterer, because,
.hund she meet vou n dozen times n
duN. ~he would welcome You with
smile aud compliments. II wa-
How lovely ynu hook today, dear BE
sure Ia come down IA the drawing
room lh- evening. General Su-and-
"a aud hi wife, mo-l charming peo-
uir. haw arrived. aud ! will intro
due. YOU tu them Or u was :"MN
dear Mr. y. Npu have such an agree
able way with the ladies: ! hope you
viii .ioiu "a, lu the drawing room this
evening io meet the Misses Sn-and O.
~. two beautiful ymng ladies. The
daughters of senator Blauk of Nir-
gnia. Aud the ~trauge>t thing about
ii was that no one seemed to think
ncr compliments msiucrr---lhey real
~ appreciated them ~ merely rXprc--
>ion> nt her uniailIng good will. She
was ncyer known to rcpudiate her
huneNcd words ON second thought or
which the person ilattercd had pas
~cd from her presence. In fact, no
one &" my knowledge ever heard NJ
dam 4 -al anything uuk'ud or u1-
complimentary about any ouc--~he
was lar too well brrd ard rciincd ili
criticism. aud her rNun,pl, had q -al-
m"y effect "u the Tongues e. go--
slpers.
Madam L had housed many ot the
-----------------'-