Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-07-11
,LEYA GAZETTE 6 VIRGINIA ADVERTISER.

AMoDERN CELEBRITY woman Helen
Josephine Mansfield, who has been mades no.
torious by her Infamous connection with the
Fisk murder, is said, 10 appearance at least, to
rank with those whose beauty and crimes have
become historic. A reporter OF the Brooklyn
she sat in Court in New York city. during the
Stokes trial on Monday, before giving her tes-
timony as witness in his behalf: She has
GOT black eye full Of the devil, and all the ac-
companying graces. 1t has got all the tradl-
tional fire supposed to be the gift of the swar-
thy | angel. they are 6uely set in her head,
beneath prettily arched eyebrows There is
lust the slightest trace of wrinkles around the
corners but so skilltul is her use OF powder and
cosmetics that these little notches OF the
enemy are hidden from all but the most curl
Gus observers. Her nose is large and straight,
and is almost classic in its mould. 1t lacks deli
cacy of outline. There is, however,, that pecu-
liar Roman turn Of the nostrlls denotlng at
once frequency and strength of passion; lhe
chin and mouth are passionate to the last de-
gree. The lips are full and red and have that
peculiar, but indescribable curve, which de-
notes the refined courteSan. She has got
pretty ear, from which Jewels Of Il costly char
actcr depend The whole cast of the head con-
yeys an impression Of affectation-of that at
fcctation Which is the result of loug and per
sstent application, but which has been so
dclicatcly cultivated that it almost passes
current for nature Over her face hung u
slight black veil dependent from black crepe
bonnet, on the top of which waved blue
feather Her hair hung IN graceful abandon
over her shoulders shoulders fat and round
concealed only to be made the more visible
Around her neck was woven an immense gold
chain, attached to which is a locket and lot
OF brilliant little knick nacks which lie upon
her exposed breast Her dress of light gauze
has been cut so as to set off to advantage the
charms of her large person. Indeed, this was
about the only feature in her attire which de-
stroyed the impression of ladyhood and convey
ed, through all the jewelry gauze and lace,
that of the immodest woman. From her
shoulders fine black lace shawl hung grace
fully gathered easily together at the waist, and
held by gold bands. Under her white over
skirt she wore black silk, which seemed un.
necessarily long for this season of the year, but
which long as it was, did not prevent her from
showing her small foot cased in silk to those 10
her immediate vicinity. Taken all In all she
has quite an imposing appearance and looks
wall calculated to win the esteem OF such man
as Fisk, and to make an abject slave OF him.
But it is not so clear how she contrived to trap
and work Stokes How old she is it is difficult
to tell; she is one of those ladies who make 1t
part Of their business to keep but an indeti-
mite record of time. But, despite considera-
BILE painting and powdering, she looks as it at
least thirty FIVE summers had smiled upon, her
head, and that they had not fed without leaV-
ing her dover of craft, is shown by the sue
cess which has attended her efforts to rise from
the gutter to Fifth avenue palace. To de-
scribe this queen oil the demi monde of the day
in word, she is the embodiment of voluptu-
BUSINESS.