Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-01-27
Helen osephine Mansfield.

nal thus speaks of the woman through
whose fatal fascination James Fisk lost
his life:
1t was from Boston that she set out
on her career, but in New York she
found her most ample field, and gained
her most substantial victories in the
half-world of.which she is the most il
luStrious figure. Occupying house,
brown stone front, on 23d street, said
TO be the Gift of the freehanded Fisk,
she found means to CRAFTY the most
magnificent tastes. The fitting up of
this establishment is that OF a palace.
Laces and brocades fall III contrasting
folds before the windows, moSsy carpets
cover the floors, the walls are hung
with gems of choice paintings, the Ia
bic furniture is the richest work of the
silver smith. 1t is petit riwoa, ac-
cording to the account Of its favored
visitors, and those, be it remembered.
are not of piebian station. The little
supper at which the President himself,
the guest of the hospitable Fisk, assist
ed under the smiles OF the fair mistress
Of this mansion, has become part Of
history.
Her horses and carriages were the
finest that ever pranccd and rolled
through the avenues TO Central Park, al
Long Branch four in hand, matched
bays, alone sutiiced for her ambition,
and the liveried driver and footman
were of the blackeSt hue, as well rs the
most skillful in their profession, to be
obtained Flashing over the hard roads
ofpark, or trundling lcisurely at the
fashionable hour along the drive on
the bluffs at the Branch Miss Mansfield
filled a place in the public eye allotted
to objects of the greatest admiration.
Even when called to Court, the coupe
in which she was rolled without a jolt
over the pavements trod by plebian
feet, showed luxurious cushions of
crimson satin, clear glass windows and
aglittering body, whose gloss the coats of
the gaily harnessed pair at the p lie alone
eclipsed. From this stepped the own
er, clad in silk and velvet, fur seal
cloak, and diamonds at ears, throat, and
wrists.
The woman. who can command such
resources must be marvel. 1nat she
possesses mysterious fascination none
who have ever witnessed her towns or
her smiles will DENY. a flourish Of her
delicate lace handkerchief has been
known to soften the heart of a Judg dge,
a tear has melted a trigid cross-examI-
ner, toss Of her jaunty jockey hat has
been answered by russell OF admira-
tion throughout the court But Miss
Mansfield has in reality little beyond
the freshness and vivacity of youth not
yet impaired to make up the sum of her
true attractions. What is by courtesy
styled smbonpOinf, might without cX-
aggeration be dcnominated grossness,
what is intended as languishing glance
from her truely rich eyes, detractor
might call leer, while her ripe and
mopile mouth has already 4 hard set to
its lines which is cruel TO see. What
she will be when years hare expended
her already broad figure, fatiened her
sensuous face and wiped out the bright
ness which May now pass for intellect,
is to apparent in the woman as she now
appears The diamonds that she wears
in a profusion that indicate the fancy
of the woman are real and will retain
their glitter, but she herself is paste
only, coarse grained and ready to dull
into worthlessness.