The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-07-23
JEAN ELIOTcH
LETTER.

6USAN DEAH.-l realty ulunt VAIN
to 20. 1t was too hot for q party.
even q garden party and at the White
House to boot. Besides a naughty
little sprite kept whispering poll
TICS in my ear, for a reception at the
White House in July Is an almost
unheard of thing and. indeed, It's
most unusual for the President to en-
terrain for the delegates to con-
vention of any sort.
Well, the party may have had
political inspiration, for elections are
coming and "postmasters 10 post
masters"; but at any rate II was
highly successful party and I was
glad decided to go. 1t was q real
pleasure to see 500 or 1000 people en-
joying themselves SO thoroughly,
-
Just to be turned loose in the beau
tiful White House grounds. with their
velvet lawns. their great trees and
the splashing fountain in the fore
ground. was n treat to scores of mon
and women who had never seen
Washington before. and the presence
of members of the Cabinet and other
interesting official folk. not to mem
ton the President himself and bis
gracious wife, was enough TO fill
their cup Of Joy brimful.
Informality Of Reception.
Was Charming Feature.
There was q quite charming infor-
mality about the whole function, from
the way the President chatted pleas
antly with many Of the postmasters
whom he knew personally. to the scores
of children who were included among
the guests and who frolicked over the
greensward like kittens and were
abashed no whit by the spiendor OF
the White House 10 the home OF the
nations head.
The women's costumes were Of light
silk or cotton materials. and most of
lar summer gear; and-whisper it,
saw one good-looking young chap slip
away under q tree and take on his
coat.
tionality. As for American democracy.
II our postmasters be q sample. 1t Is
producing O fine outstanding lot of men
and women. and was proud to meet
them.
saw Mrs. Grayson on Friday for the
first. time since she has been Mrs.
9rayson: and later I had my first
glimpse Of Mrs. Baker. wife Of the Sec
rotary Of War. She was with her hus-
brother and sister. There Is a strong
resemblance between them.
Margaret Wilson held a little recep-
tion OF her own during the afternoon
about in the vicinity Of the tennls
court. where she plays quite frequently
whenever she is at the White House.
hear her game Is excellent.
Dressing Table Now
In th> East Covridor
Two new details I noted at the White
House Friday. one quite prosaic. and the
other.-but I'll tell you about the other
later. The first was the presence In
the corridor where one leaves onc's
literally supplied with powder. pins
and the hundred and one small articles
that add 90 much to Q woman's COM
fort. Many's the time I have longed
for just such a thing on the occasion
Of the state receptions IN winter g
Wilson had retired to the south portico
and a. the guests were leaving one by
one. the Marine Band started playing q
wonderful colemn air. something elu-
sively familiar. After little the music
died slowly away. to be taken up by
bugier way off in the grounds. Again
It swelled into q splendid volume Of
sound, only to die again until another
lone bugle on the other side took up
the thread OF melody. So 1t continued
eous burst OF applause from all the
guests.
Harmonies Trailed on
In Elusive Thread.
The effect was one that shall long
remember. the garden green as In the
early spring time. the trees and misty
fountain. the men and women standing
in rapt attention and over all the SWELL
ing harmonies trailing off to an Elusive
vented TO Kill q certain person who
stood back Of me and discoursed learn
ediy-of cabbases.
Do you remember when all-of-a-sud-
den weddings were very bad form-very?
That, of course. was before the ext
gencies OF the Mexican situation made
them necessary, and even fashionable.
william may gather his bride under his
arm. carry her of to q clergyman and
be married posthaste without causing
anything but the pleasantest comment.
struotor of English at the Naval Acad-
envy. and winsome little ldah Sidonia
Pratt. The two had known each other
only q fortnight or SO. II you please.
when they slipped over to Alexandria
to DO married. And I'm told that even
80 they delayed their wedding for sew
ePal days in order that Mr.. Fosters
brother. Lieut.. Paul Foster. U. 5. NJ.
who was at sea in command or sub
marine. might reach Washington in
time to stapd up with his brother.
Had Reputation of
A Confirmed Bachelor.
In the eight years that Mr.. Foster has
been at the Naval Academy. during
which time. by the way. he has coach
ed the tennis team. ne has been re-
garded as a perfectly dependable bache-
lor. Many a visiting girl he rushed
to the satisfaction Of her hostess. but
always he has remained heart whole
and fancy rree-until he met Mrs.
Pratt 1t seems superfiuous to remark
that he was no laggard in his wooing.
nor did his bride look with GOODNESS upon
his suit.
Mrs. Foster Is a clever little person
aud has written extensively for maya
zines and newspapers. In addition she
plays q keen game Of tennis. Is fond
Of golf and swimming and sits a horse
in the most approved fashion. She came
East-she halls from Decatur, ILL.,, but
has been living in California-to take
the course at the National Service
School and remained to devote herself
to Red Cross work, with bit of spare
time for what the Southern girls call
c0'tin'