Stork Brings Lapse in Etiquette

 The grandchildren surely could overlook the Senator’s overlooking the proper mourning period, as $1,000,000 each was promised to them with the arrival of his newest child–  “Don't you think you should have waited until the year was up?” queried an agitated stickler for etiquette. “Oh, I thought I'd go early and avoid the crush,” responded Mrs. Crocker, and of course after she broke the ice, the rest of the Burlingamites began to thaw.

Stork Brought Along 

One Million Dollars Each for this 

Baby’s Relations

The Charley Clarks are living very quietly these days, awaiting the advent of the stork, who carries a million dollar note in his bill. This is the golden spoon which Senator Clark has promised to present to each of his grandchildren. In spite of the Tobin prestige, the thermometer fell below zero when young Clark took a bride unto himself just a few months after his first wife died. Burlingame society, headed by Mrs. Carolan, decided that it would be very outre to call on the Charley Clarks before his year of mourning for his first wife had elapsed. 

This was finally accepted as the correct solution of the complicated case, but Mrs. Will Crocker, with her usual independence, punctured this neatly evolved etiquette by driving over and calling on the Clarks at once and entertaining them at dinner. “Don't you think you should have waited until the year was up?” queried an agitated stickler for etiquette. “Oh, I thought I'd go early and avoid the crush,” responded Mrs. Crocker, and of course after she broke the ice, the rest of the Burlingamites began to thaw. But now that the flapping of the wings of the long-legged bird is heard, the Clarks have withdrawn from all societal activity. – From San Francisco News Letter, 1905

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

19th C. Widow and Widower Etiquette

If a widower marries a young girl, the etiquette is the same as that of a first marriage.

It is not usual to invite guests to the marriage of a widow. If a widower marries a young girl, the etiquette is the same as that of a first marriage. A widow must marry in the morning early, without show, and has only her witnesses and those of her intended. Her dress must be plain, of quiet color; black, however, is not admissible.

On leaving church the bride invites to breakfast the witnesses who have formed the party, but no other guests are invited to this repast. On the fifteenth day after the marriage, cards are sent bearing the new address of the married pair. A widow never makes wedding calls after remarrying. Those who receive tlie cards do the visiting there is a month allowed for the return of the cards and the visits.  — Demorest's Monthly, 1877

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Moderator and Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia