Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-29
THE HALLIDAYs.
InA slory of soclnI Amblllon.


New York Cor. Detroit Free Press.ls
The name of Ben Halliday was a
familiar one fifteen years ago. It's
owner had accumulated a handsome
fortune in the overland express and
mail business before the days of
Pacific railroads. BY lucky invest
ments in California he added great
ly to his wealth, and when the rail
road superseded the stage.coach
Ben Halliday ranked among the
millionaires. He had q family Of
four daughters and two sons. His
wife was woman OF more than
usual energy, and she also had
strong social ambition. To occupy
a place commensurate with her
husbands wealth, and bring up her
children in such a way that they
should be conspicuous in the world,
was her special desire. The family
removed to New York and the effort
for social advancement began. Mrs,
Halliday was Roman Catholic, a
circumstance not at all advantage
GUS in the social struggle, and she
connected herself with the most
fashionable of the Catholic churches
st. Stephens. She became active
in the management of fairs and
charities, and was soon we'll known
for zeal and benevolonce. She also
gradually advanced toward the pro-
per social circles and carried her
children with her. The girls were
bright and handsome, and had
many friends and not a few ad-
mirers. The family lived in good
style, and receptions were frequent
and elaborate. The mania for
costly country seats was then rag
ing, and Mrs. Halliday urged her
husband to purchase one. He COM
piled by investing a quarter of 0
million in land and suitable build
ings in Westchester county. Nc
expense was spared in improving
the place and making it all that his
family could desire. Mrs. Halliday
built a beautiful chapel upon il
and had a brilliant assemblage Of
her city friends present at the dedi
cation. The country seat received
the name of 0phir Farm, and wal
. the admiration of all the countr!
. round. But ambition was not ye
Sated. The next project was a tril
: to Europe. Mr.. Halliday accedet
! to this, ;a.ss a.ss he had had to many other
and
. THE FAMILY WENT ABROAD.
Paris was the first stopping place
t Mrs. Halliday soon became as wei
t known in the "American colony
! there as its oldest members. Impe
! ounious noblemem with very littl
besides their empty titles to com
mend them, honOred herrooms witt
their society, and compensateC
: themselves with large drafts on he
. hospitality. They paid special at
tention to the daughters, who's
expectations" were very soon de
clared almost fabulous, To cate
the handsome young America
J; heiresses became task to whic
counts and barons devoted then
selves with wonderful asslduity
n From Paris the rich travellers wen
= to Rome and commenced there
| style of living even more costly tina
, they had followed in the Frenc
j capital. The receptions at the Ha
Gdsy mansion were the talk Of tn
}. city. Money was not considered
= The great object was to know ever
one that was worth knowing, an
u reach the top round Of SOCIAL di
IN tlnctlOn. Again the owners
n empty titles were on hand, givin
+ the tinsel of their presence in el
E change for the true metal of hosp
y tality, as the same tribe had done
! Paris. Mrs. Halliday and hC
- daughters remained in Rome son
II m0nths. A second sojourn in Par
on their retprn enabled them to r
new the intimaeiee Of the first yisi
n. it soon became known that "Ienny
:, aud "Polly,S as they were familiar
N called by their friends, were el
gagged, one to a count, the other
he a baron. Jenny returned to Nc
York as the Countess Pourtalf