It is known as "The Department of
the Platte."
Everyone has been most hospitable--particularly the army people at
Fort Omaha--a post just beyond the city limits. Mrs. Wheeler, wife of
the colonel in command, gave a dancing reception very soon after we
got here, and an elegant dinner a little later on--both for the new
brigadier general and his staff. Mrs. Foster, the handsome wife of the
lieutenant colonel, gave a beautiful luncheon, and the officers of the
regiment gave a dance that was pleasant. But their orchestra is far
from being as fine as ours. In the city there have been afternoon and
evening receptions, and several luncheons, the most charming luncheon
of all having been the one given by my friend, Mrs. Schuyler, at the
Union Club. One afternoon each week the club rooms are at the disposal
of the wives of its members, and so popular is this way of
entertaining, the rooms are usually engaged weeks in advance. The
service is really perfect, and the rooms airy and delightfully
cool--and cool rooms are great treasures in this hot place.
The heat has been almost unbearable to us from the mountains, and one
morning I nearly collapsed while having things "fitted" in the stuffy
rooms of a dressmaker. Many of these nouveaux riches dress elegantly,
and their jewels are splendid. All the women here have such white
skins, and by comparison I must look like a Mexican, my face is so
brown from years of exposure to dry, burning winds.
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