Evening star., 1935-03-17

the mistake, and he was considerably
embarrassed to find that the offender
was Daniel Ermentrout, one Of the
very richest and most influential DEM
ocrats of the House.
Society Center.
Washington becomes every year
more of a society center and to the
crowd of statesmen and their families
there is now being added the throng
Of rich people who make Washington
their Winter home These rich ma
bobs are a queer set. Some of them
have veins flowing with the bluest of
blue blood, education acquired at the
best schools and manners polished by
long sojourns in Europe. Such people
have many friends among public men
and they are, Of course, invited every
where.
There is another class who have
nothing to recommend them but their
newly acquired money and who make
vulgar ostentation of it. You can
hardly fail to spot them at glance.
Many use bad grammar, the men
find it hard to avoid mentioning their
hCdlIIl dIll IllC WLlCLllCl GllCll
forms permit it or not, dress in the
extremes Of fashion.
One such woman whom shall call
Nine. Goldfish" has a husband who
made a fortune in trade and who
has come to Washington with his
millions. They rent the house of a
great statesman for something over
$4,000 a year. Nine Goldfish dresses
extravagantly and gives some of the
most gorgeous entertainments. She
pretends to be careful in the selec-
tion of her guests and is as snob-
bish a body as you will find this side
of the Alleghenies.
When she first came to Washington
and took possession of this grand
mansion, she determined to make her
way into society. Her first act was
to call upon each foreign minister.
Before they had time to return her
call, provided they wished to do so,
she issued cards for reception, send
ing one to each legation. The for
eigners did not know what to make
of this. 1t is said they held meet
ing to decide whether they should
countenance such vulgarity. The re-
suit was that some of them vent and
others stayed away; but those who did
go gave Nine. Goldfish foothold in
society, upon which she has so built
that her name is now III the society
column of every newspaper.
A new story is told Of Nine. Goldfish
this week. A day or two after the
funeral of Miss Kate Bayard Gen.
Sheridan called upon her. She re-
ceived him with a smile and a smirk,
and in the course of the conversation
said: General, owing to the death
of Miss Kate Bayard I am having
but few calls today The best people
are not calling, you know" The story
fails to give Gen. Sheridan's reply,
but suppose he was only amused at
her vulgarity.
Gen. Van Vliet.
One of the old stand-bys of Wash
ington society is Gen. Van Vliet.
You will find him at every grand re-
ception. at nearly every big dinner.
You may have heard the story of
how Gen. Sherman, who is nearly as
great dinner-goer as Gen. Van Vliet,
once forgot the place at which he
was invited to dine. Seeing Van
Vlet pass his house in full evening
dress, he decided to follow him, being
sure he would lead him to the right
house. He was not disappointed.
Well, during Arthur's administra-
ton Gen. Van Vliet was as much Of
a leading figure as he is at present.
He was strong Republican. Every
one is now surprised to see him so
thick with the Democrats. Still every
one likes Gen. Van Vliet, and an
Army officer should have no politics.
The day after Cleveland was inaugu-
rated Gen. Van Vliet appeared at the
White House and began to instruct,
in the presence of others, the Presi-
dents secretary, Col. Lamont, as to
how he and Mr.. Cleveland should
carry on the administration, espe-
cially in a social way. After he had
gone on at some length, one of the
byStanders, a statesman Of proni-
nence, spoke up:
| And pray, how long have you been
/ a Democrat. Gen. Van Vliet?"
| Since yesterday noon, SIR was
/ the reply.