Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-12
THE aCnES OF DIAMONDS.
More Than rive Hundred Jewels fn
ono woman's Possession.
cleveland Plain Desler.I


cleveland Plain Desler.I
A lspidary's eyes would water to sec
the extensive collection Of preciou.
stones which was spread before 8
PLAIN. Dealer reporters gaze during O
friendly call upon Mr.. and Mrs. W. A.
Mestsyer, at the Weddell House. Miss
Theresa Vaughn, as Mrs. Messenger j.
known In the theatrical world. has a
passion for gems, which her husband
shares, perhaps, or at least humors.
She seldom refers to her jewels ex-
cept among friends, because diamond
stories have come to be looked upon
as sort of advertisement for
actresses, and she rarely wears her
richest treasures lest, on account OF
their abundance, people might think
them paste. But during the visit she
consented to exhibit the entire collec-
ton, and dazzling display it was. A
dozen rings with large soliiaires en-
Gil cled with smaller stones were the
most modest part Of the glittering ar
ray, which includes sll manner Of jew
elry, brooches, ornaments for the hair,
bracelets, necklaces, and, most attrac-
tive Of all, chatelaine watch of unique
design, exquisitely set with diamonds,
rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.
The reporter asked the number Of
stones in the assortment. She had
never counted them, but would. Be-
ginning with a necklace Of five FIVE
pointed stars thickly studded with
sparkling points she esssyed the task,
but after reckoning until her eyes
wearied she gave it up and others COM
pleted the inventory, which, when fin
isbed, showed 465 diamonds Of purest
quality, Is emeralds, 10 rubies, IA
sapphires, a lapis lazulis, 2 cat's.eyes,
and one huge turquoise--in all $50
precious stones.
Bright as are these gems, more brill
liant yetis Miss Vaughn's remarkable
contralto voice, whose fulness and
richness attracted attention while she
was still little child. Her home was
in Boston, and for some years she sang
in ths choir Of a church on Shswmut
avenue. After becoming Manager Me-
stayer's wife it was her habit to travel
with him, but she never dreamed
Of going on the theatrical stage.
Being devoted to music, her
ambition was--and still is-to
win fame as concert-singer.
Her debut az an actress was an accident.
Three years ago one Of the pullman
Palace. Car" Company fell suddenly i'll.
and Mr.. Mestayer, in q quaDdary how
to supply the vacancy, requested his
wife, then eighteen, to play the part OF
the maid. Mrs. Mestayer had heard tho
piece so often she was familiar With
the lines, and consented. She made
so pronounced hit that since that
time she has ranked as the bright,
particular star Of the Messenger
combination, ard her singing is the
most thoroughly satisfying part Of the
performance Of {" We, Us & Co." Her
musical education was finished under
the instruction Of Theodore Thomas.
She Sings Italian, German, and French
as easily as English, and has studied
grand opera yet, strange to say, the
lyric stage has no charm for her, but
her steadfast intention is to achieve
triumphs in concert.
In other cities, especially in the
South, she is a great favorite in society.
Her personal beauty and grace Of man
ner speak for themselves. Moreover,
she is a most entertaining conversation
slist, being an extensive traveller over
two continents, close observer, and
has wit as bright as her diamonds.