Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-12-03
A Widow of Gotham just Out of
Her Weeds.

1t may seem a rashly sweeping and con-
elusive assertion, but I am conscientious
ly going 10 make it. The most beautiful
woman in New York fashionsbl society
is the Widow Hammersley. All the other
bellies commonly mentioned as beauties
are merely pretty, and their physical
equals could be casually encountered in a
halfmile stroll in Broadway. But Mrs.
Louis G. Hammersley has come forth at
the opening of the present season as a
specimen of perfect loneliness. 1t is true
that she is the possessor of more than ST.
900, 900 in her own clear right, but I try
TO prevent that from prejudicing me
against her. Nor do l perceive that on
Grand Opera nights the beaux admire her
less, or the other women hate her more,
on account Of her immense wealth. She
is practically de5utante. For FIVE years
she was the wife of highly eccentric
young Cr9sus, who married her for her
loneliness, adored her desperately, wrote
verses necessarily in her praise, and wiled
to her all his property. She was born at
Troy, N. Y, twenty-six years ago. Her
father was Commodore Price, of the Uni
ted States Navy, and although her family
had only his pay to live or, they did so in
marked refinement, and were figures in
the pretentious circles of local society.
Lille Price grew early into BEATTY of
the queenly type. She was tall, erect with
regular features, sweet facial expression,
and positively regal manners, of urbane
but dignlfed courtesy. Sac disregarded
The wooing of TroJans, and it came to he
understood among her acquaintance that
nothing short of millionairism would rec
omm md any man to her favorable consid-
GRAFTON as husband. In the odd Louis
G. Hammersley she found this qualfica-
ton. He was singular character-an
object at once of respect and ridicule His
appearance was naturally singular, and be
heightened it by quaint costuming. He
was all the while doing queer things But
his behavior was ever polite, his morals
excellent, and his disposition kind. Did
his bride love him? Nobody knows. She
was modest, faithful wife, at all events.
The Widow HammArsley's period of
conven tional mourning has now expired
and she has appeared at the opera as the
acknowledged Queen of Beauty. Even
the most evious do not think of question
ing her supremacy. But she does not let
the general admiration depend alone on
her parfactiOn of face and form Her cos
tunes are wonders of artistic construc-
zion. and she has not yet worn one of them
twice. Her jewels, too, have thus far
been changed every night. [ do not re-
call an instance of costller or more elabo
rate toilet preparation for social season
in New York by any bale, and if she car
ries through the winters succession of
balls, receptions and dinners the policy
which she has thus far pursued at the
opera, she will by spring become the most
celebrated woman in America. She has
evidently gone in for a great triumph.
She is the ewner of 2 box, and it's tiny
parlor at the rear is superbly furnished,
The walls are freshly hung with rare flow
ers, and deliberately carved combination
eft sideboard and ice box yields wines to
her guests between acts. That she is
courted and .adulated needs not to be said.
She is the most interesting parsonage in
the house. not excepting the foremost
singer on the stage.-Neao York Cores
pondence Pitts6urg Dispatch.