Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-15
THE MSTLETOE IN MANSIONS
How an Old Custom Was Observed
by the Vanderbilts and Astors.
GENERAL FiTZ JOHN PORTER
His Jest on a Brother ORicer-Some
Appropriate Prescnts-A Christ
mas Gift Complication
Clara Bellies Letter.

AVE" Iohh,
ence OF the BEE. The first Vanderbilt
residence that you come to on the way
down Fifth avenue is that OF Cornelius
j. Vanderbilt, the eldest son and heir
Of the late William II. On the fifteenth
morning after Christmas the servants
were throwing out dry branches of mis-
tletoe. Five blocks further down | saw
the domestics of William X. Vanderbilt,
the next younger brother of Cornelius,
were doing exactly the same thing.
The next square is filed by the more
celebrated residences built by William
II. Vanderbilt and occupied by his
widow, her two married daughters and
her bachelor sons. These mansions
have half n dozen doorways open
ing on three streets, and
from several OF these were
being removed more mistletoe.
pursued my way along the fashionable
thoroughfare, occasionally seeing a like
removal Of the discarded branches until
got to the houses OF Astors, in front of
which, in refuse ready for casting away
were broken pieces of the evergreen.
All these had been suspended in the
parlOrs at Christmas time, in accord
ance with the English custom. do not
know exactly. as to each particular
household how far the custom of kissing
girls caught under the mistletoe was OBJ
served by the Vanderbilts and Astors,
but do know if for Il fact that the mis-
tletoe habit has been fully acquired by
New York society people, and that it
was very generally INDUCED in during
the past holidays.
William K. Vanderbilt and his dash
ing wife are in Europe, but his resi-
dence retains a complement of servants,
who received the importation of mistle
toe ordered as early as last summer; but
] wonder what use they made of it? Ger
tainly. they must have hung it to the
chandeliers, for they took it down at
the precise prescribed limit of fifteen
days, as fixed by the law of English
usage.
Hitherto, Mrs. Willie, as they call
her. has led the Vanderbllts in social
activity. There are four married
daughters of William f.. Vanderbilt, all
of whom are remarkable for charitable
works and quiet behavior. The wife of
Cornelius has also seemed to prefer the
elegance Of seclusion rather than public
gaiety. but now in the absence of her
Shower sister-in-law it is said that she
10 SolIIS w SIlluiSt. 'olIt VIII give
ball at her magnificent residence next
week. The house is finer and more pic
turesque than the better known Wander
bilt mansions. although not rs large,
and it has never yet been all at once
opened for any public gathering. Its
splendors of interior architecture and
its sumptuousness OF furniture are
largely matters of repute only. even to
many who move in the same sort of
deal of lively expectation of magnificent
disclosure.
TIE GREAT WEDDINGS
which are making such a stir in society
are the occasions for curious exhibitions
Of human nature.
Eve got to buy an expensive present
for the bride and IL new gown for myself
to appear in, and | don't care two hair
pins for her." | heard il pair of red lips
complain.
"But when your wedding comes off.
suggested prudent mamma. ''she will
be able to make you splendid present,
you know" and that settled the matter.
The dear public would stretch its in
nocent optics to the utmost if it kne "
some of the doings behind the scenes
What, for instance, would 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 never been admitted TO society
calling and casually remarking:
Dear Geraldine will be married next
month, you know. You didn't know?
Then I'm glad | mentioned it. You
will have time to do some of your beau
tiful work for her-she will be so de-
lighted"
The unsuspecting girls are in a flutter.
"They're going to invite us, OH" The
paintings are executed in their best
styly, and sent in early, to give dean
Geraldine pleasure. The girls watch in
vain for invitations to the wedding.
They have done all expected of them tC
launch the child of fortune in the mos,
approved manner. But the day before
the wedding note comes from the pride
inviting them to call that.afternoon and
see her elegant presents, graciOnsly
adding that theirs did not suffer by
contrast. The girl didn't go.
GENERAL FITz JOHN PORTER
is II police commissioner. So is John
McClave. When they met at police
headquarters the other morning, the
general said: "Hello John! Shall We
have to take action on these present,
that you got yesterday"
Yes, if the board thinks we ought
to, was the reply.
This was n joke that meant more thar
is apparent in that bit OF dialogue. The
four police commissioners are mighty
men in,politics here. The daughter o.
McClave had been married the previous
day. Her bridal gifts from her own ac
quaintances had been outshonc and be
Titled by those sent in by police
inspectors, CAPTAINS and other mel
dependent upon the the quar-
tcttc at the head of the polio,
department. Four solid silver tea sets
and eight salad bowls of the same metal
had been included in the wondrous dis
play Of presents. Now, the police boart
rigidly enforce rule requiring all tn,
oferers of gifts to policemen to be re
ported to the commissioners, who ma,
or may not give their consent TO an ac
ccptance, and if they do decide that The
officer may take the proilorcd thing, h
must contribute 10 per cent Of its value
to the police pension fund. Now, vo,
can comprehend the depth and subtlct.
Of General Porter's jocularity.
Now that the season for gift maxim,
has been half month consigned to
worthy rest, let us take glance NJ it
inwarlnaSs fr,m snr,c pnints n