The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-15
Curious Exhibitions of the Mean Side of Hu-
man Nature Brought Out by the Big We'd
dings That Occasionally Stir Society.
Clara Discourses Philosophically Of the
True Inwardness of Gift-Making.
A Complication That Made Woman Weep
and Caused Man SOrrow-The Pursuit Of
Handsome Actors by Sentimental Women.
epecia, 70 the Indjanapolis sourna..

NEW YoRK, Jan. 1.-THE first Vanderbilt
residence that you come to on the way Gown
Fifth avenue is that of Cornelius j. Vanderbilt.
the oldest son and heir of the late William FL.
On the fifteenth morning after Christmas the
servants were throwing out dry branches of mis-
tletoe. Five blocks further down saw that the
domsstics of William K. Vanderbilt, the next
younger brother of Cornelius, were doing ex-
actly the same thing. TIE next square Is filled
by the more celebrated residences built by Will
lam 81. Vanderbilt aud occupied by his widow,
her TWO married daughters and her bachelor sons
These mansions have half dozen doorways
opening on three streets, and from several of
these were being removed more mistletoe. I
pursued my way along the fashionable thor
orghfare, occasionally seeing like removal of
the discarded branches, until got to the houses
of the Astors. in front Of which. ready for cart
ing away, were broken pieces Of evergreen
All these had been suspended in the
parlors at Christmas-time, in accordance
with the English custom. I do not know
Q exactly, as to each particular household, how
far the custom of kissing girls caught under the
mistletoe observed By the Vanderbilts and
Astors but I do know it for fact that the
mistetoe habit has been fally acquired by New
York society people, and that it was very gen.
orally INDUCED in during the past holidays.
William K. Vanderbilt and his dashing wife are
in Europe, but his residence retains a compile
ment of servants, who received the Importation
of mlstletoe ordered as early as last summer;
but wonder what use they made Of it. Certain
ly, they must have hung it to the chandeliers.
for they took 1t down at the precise prescribed
limit of fifteen days, as fixed by the law of Eng
lsh usage.
Hitherto Mrs. Willie, as they call her, has led
the Vanderbilts in social activity. There are
four married daughters Of the late William H.
Vanderbilt all of whom remarkable for
charitable works and quiet behavior. the wife
of Cornelius has also seemed to prefer the ele-
gance of seelusion rather than public gayety, but
now, in the absence of her showier sister-in-aw,
it is said that she is going to splurge She will
give ball at her magnificent residence next
week. The house is finer and more picturesque
than the better-known Vanderbilt mansions.
although not so large, and it has never yet been
all at once opened for any gathering Its
splendors Of interior architecture and its sump
tuousness of furniture largely matters of
repute only, even many who move in the
same sort of circles. There is, therefore,
great deal of lively expectation of magnificent
disclosure.
The great weddings which making such
stir PA society are the occasions f6r curious ex
hibitions of human nature.
"Pve got to buy an expensive present for the
bride and a new gown for myself to appear in.
and don't care tw o hair-pins for her." kheard
pair of red lips comp lain.
But when your wedding comes off, sug-
ReSt6Q prudent
make you a splendid present, you know" and
that settldd the matter.
The dear public would stretch its innocent
optics to the utmost if it knew some Of the do
ings behind the scenes. What, for instance,
wsud it think of the richly dressed mamma who
calls on some artist girls, supporting themselves
bravely by their dainty work. who were school
friends of her daughter, but of course have
never been admitted to society-calling and cas-
ually remarking, Dear Geraldine will be mar
ried next month, you know. You didn't know2
hen 1yf 1 m
time to do some of your beautiful work for her
she will be 40 delighted" The unsuspectIng
u.s. Oh!' The paintings are executed il their
best style and sent in early to give dear Geral-
me pleasure. The girls watch in vain for in
vitations to the wedding. They have done all
expected of them to launch the child of fortune
IN the most approved manner. But the day be-
fore the wedding a note comes from the bride
in viting them to call that afternoon and see her
elegant presents, graciousy adding that theirs
do not uffer by contrast. The girls don't go
*"#
Gen. Fitz John Porter is police commission
er. So is John McClave. When they met at
police headquarters, the other day, the General
said: Hello, Johnl Shall we have to take ac
ton On these presents that you got yesterday2'
"Yes. if the board thinks we ought to-" was
the reply.
This was a joke that meant more than is ap-
parent in that bit of dialogue The four police
commissioners mighty men in politics here.
The daughter of McClave had been married
the previous day. Her bridal gifts from her
acquantances had been utshone and belit-
tied by those in By police pectors captains
and other men dependent upon the quartet at
the head of the police department. Four solid
silver sets and eight salad bowls of the same
metal had been included in the wondrous dis
play of presents. Now, the police board rigidly
enforce rule requiring all the offers of gifts to
who may may not give their consent to
ceptance. and if they do decide that the officer
may take the proffered thing. he must contribute
10 per cent. OF Its value to the police pension
fund. Now, you can comprehend the depth and
subtlety of General Porters jocuIarity.
Now that the season for eiftmaking has been
half a month consigned to worthy rest, let us
take glance at it's true inwardness from some
points of view. What does it amount tot Ex-
travagance and disappointment. Fair Ethel
wynn pouted a week because the elegant brace
lets Adolphus laid at her shrine on Christmas
were not the watch her poor little soul craved.
Adolphus saw her discomfort. and New
Years day slipped horse shoe brooch into her
hand. The stones looked like diamonds, but
still she was unsatisied. She will never know
that dear Dolph denied himself the comforting
cigar for q month previous to the holidays. and
still goes through the agony OF shaving himself
to save the dimes to meet these bills. And
neither of them is the happier for it. saw
young girl putting all the money she had saved
Tor three months into a wonderful creation
of plush and satin, which she called handker-
chief sachet. 1t was embroidered and trimmed
hung with bows, pompons and bangles, and WAS
pronounced lovely oy all her girl friends On
Christmas eve the dazzling work of ar. was
given 20 John. He is an honest. industrious
mechanic, and knows all about bolts screws and
steam pipes, but little of works of art The
rose pink and green sachet was as fit for him
as a Hcniton lace collar for an elephant. The
poor fellow was overwhelmed with confusion.
He danelee the sacnet on his brown fingers
rumpled the satin ribbons, and tried to speak
the thanks be did not feel A dozen strong linen
handkerchiefs. well marked, would have been
useful John would know what to do
with them if he caught a cold by and by. In
one house are three unmarried daughters. all in
the matrimonial market The avowed lovers of
two of them We're the donors of costly ornaments.
tho most elegant among their great number of
expensive Christmas gifts. You would imagine
these damsels to be in the seventh heaven OF
delight. Not u bit OF it Papa for good