Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-21
The Doll.rcr.,. OF New York.

New York Correspondence ofthe Philadelphia Record
am very thankful that my ambition does
not lie I'm the social direction. II am ambitious
for anything it is something more tangible than
to say that am on the visiting list ofsome WELL
known leader of fashion. Perhaps, If had MOTH
ing else 10 do than think OF things of this sort
might be as desirous Of social distinction as
are a great many men and women whom
know. This reflection is aroused by the current
gossip in society, which is that Mrs. Bradley
Martin has accomplished the great end for
which she had been living, and has been invited
news, and Mrs. Bradley-Martin has reached the
goal of her ambition. Mrs. Belmont is one of the
lew leaders of society through whose veins
really blue blood flows. She was Miss Perry
the daughter of Commodore Perry, and she is
related to all the swells OF the army and
navy. When Mrs. Belmont married Mr.. Bel
mont and came to New York 10 live she saw
that society here was made up largely of people
with more money than blood, and she deter
mined to set her face against the intrusion of
mlllionaires. SO, IL once becoming known that
1t was hard to gain admission to the Belmont
mansion, all the women who sought for social
distinction bent their energies To accomplish
that end. In the case OF Mrs. Paran Stevens
am told Mrs. Belmont has been firm, and that
wealthy woman, whose daughter is married 10
the scion of am English noble family, and whose
wedding was attended by the Prince of Wales
and no end OF titles, has never been invited TO
the halls of the Bemonts. Outside OF the Bel
monts Mrs. Paran Stevens is quite a social
power; but her soul yearns for the one thing
that is unaccomplished, and though she con-
cealS her veXation TO a certain degree she still
feels 1t, and does express it on occasions.
1t is a reflection on New York society that Mrs.
Paran Stevens is one of its leaders; not but that
Mrs; Stevens is an excellent woman in her way,
put her way is not what one expects In "a social
leader. Personally, like her, because she is
thoroughly genuine and speaks her mind.
She does not always speak her mind elega ntly
out she assumes no airs nor graces, and does
not pose for anything more than she is, which
is a wealthy and ambitious woman. Mrs Stew
ems attends largely to her own affairs, and looks
after her own Investments. That her language
Si,n s,,I
Is not always choice is the effect of her early
education. She has a hot temper and a vigorous
tongue; and she cannot always control tue one
nor bride the other.
The Bradey-Martns, who have Just sue
ceeded in penetrating the Belmont stronghold,
are very wealthy people, or at least Mrs Brad
ley-Martin is. do not think that her husband
mad anything when he married her, whatever
he may have to-day. But she came TO him
with bank account of 100000. She is the
only child OF widowed mother, and will lave
another S5,O0O,0OO when her mother dies
The Bradley-Martins, when they dropped into
the New York social world, thought the best
way to attain distinction was. not 10y giving the
conventional parties of society, but to give dim
ners; and they have been giving two week
throughout the season, which are the most Ia
nous dinners given in New York. They have
chez, to whom they pay a fabulous salary
and they lay themselves out to make these din
ner parties notable feature of New York so
cial life. and they have succeeded. But until
they began their dinner-giving the Bradley
Martins were quite unknown, and although
Mrs. Bradley-Martins father was worth his
Slo,000,OO0 he did not hold any prominent so
cial position.
know very worthy woman in this city
whose husband is engaged in a manufacturing
business, and is making great deal OF money.
his wife is ambitious. She wants 10 see her
name beside that of Mrs. Aston. Mrs. Pierrepont
Morgan, Mrs. Cutting, and all the other social
swelis. But how to accomplish this. Her ante
ceuents are thoroughly respectable, but are not
such as would have brought her into the notice
OF any OF these people. Her mind, however, is
set upon this one object, and she fights bril-
Lantly and automatically to that end. She
thlnkS the matter out carefully, and sees that
there is little chance Of her meeting these peo-
PIE IN the ordinary course; SO she joins charity
societies, OF which they are members, and by
committee meetings are held at the houses of
the swell members, and she gains a foothold. The
wedge once IN, then she pushes it gently but
nrmiy. From a handsome enough house on an
uptown street She has moved into $500. 900
mansion on 9Th avenue. She turned a decora-
TOR loose in her new house, and she now feels
that she can hold her own with the best of them.
But to do this she must still be diplomatic. Her
husband, dull, :miable sort of man, with
gift for making money, looks on and smiles
proudly when he sees his wife'S name among
the rich and great; but he does not care much
about their society himself, and would prefer
any evening to sit at home in his slippers and
enjoy an after-dinner cigar rather than to don
q dress coat and be dragged out to some social
1estlVlty where he will be bored to death for
two or three hours. Still, he enjoys seeing the
ease with which his wife carries herself in this
company, and takes what comfort he may out
OF that.