St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-04-06

tennial year, both from her family's
position and her own beauty, became at
once the acknowledged belle OF Phila-
delpia. A brunette, with rich olive
complexion and most graceful form.
although comparatively poor, Miss Paul
had Suitors by the hundred. She came
to New York to attend Patrlarch'S
bail i'll the winter of 1S76-17 and was
there introduced to MI. Aston. His de-
yotion to her began almost with their
iirSt meeting and soon excited comment,
which was afterwards heightened by
her return to New York as guest of
Mrs. John Jacob Astor.
The courtship was not a long one, and
the following autumn MIR. Asfor was
married to Miss Paul in Philadelphia.
The wedding was comparatively a quiet
one, and, like all affairs in which Mrs.
AStor had anything to do with the man
agcment, was characterized with SIM
plicity ami good taste. Mr.. Astor and
his bride were welcomed to New York
society with open arms, ana have ever
since held a prominent position. His
father presented the young couple
with large double br0wn-stone
house, NO. 4 East Thirty-third street,
where they have since resided. Young
Mrs. AStor for some years did not exert
herself socially in any marked degree,
her tastes being apparently more do
nestle than is usually the case with
young New York married women in So
cicty. fact which excited much COM
ment Her beauty was universally adj
mired, but she was not considered a
good c0nversatonaliSt and did not be-
come leader in so marked a degree as
had been anticipated.
Three children were born to Mr.. and
Mrs. Astor-two boys and girl-the
eldest of whom, William Waldorf, is
now about twelve years old. Mrs. Astor
has always been devoted 10 her children
and they have been brought up with the
utmost care. For some years the
family spent. their summers at
Newport, where they are familiar
figares. Mr.. Aston spends most
of the time in the summer with
his children. and it is an interesting
sight to see him sitting Oh the front seat
of small pony carriage, drawn by the
tiniest of Shetlands, with his eldest son
driving and the other two children
perched up behind. Mrs. Ast0r. al
though she has grown rather stout. re-
tainS her youthful beauty in a remark
able degree, and is still considered one
OF the handSomeSt women in New York
society.
To turn from Mr.. Astor'S domestic
relations once more to his personal
career, and taking up the story at the
completion OF his term in the state SEN
ate, we find him candidate for con
greSS in the Seventh district i'll this
city, to which he was nominated on Oct.
81, 1880. His opponent Oh the Demo
cratic side was Philip Henry Dugr0. and
although the district was largely Deme-
cratic and comparatively little money
was spent, on one side at least, so firmly
established was MI. Astor'S reputation
and so energetic was his canvass that
he was only defeated by narrow ma
jOrity of ia votes. The defeat was so
nearly victory that he was the more
willing to tempt fate again and enter
the contest in the succeeding autumn,
which he did in the Ninth district.
being nominated on Oct. p. 1881. This
contest, in which his opponent was R0s-
well Pettibone Flower, was one of the
most exciting ever held in city dis
trict, and column after column was
printed about it in the newspapers of
the time. The most exaggerated stories
flew over the country regarding the
amount of money that both millionaireS
were expanding, and it was cur
rently reported that Mr., Astor
flung away double eagles by the
handful. Both candidates undertook
personal canvass of the district, and the
interest in the battle completely over
Swallowed all other political contests of
the year. 1t was estimated by the Re-
publican newspapers that Mr.. Flower
expended at least S16.e $3.50, and the Dem
ocratic papers placed Mr.. Astor's eX-
peuseS at $4,000 to $4,000. Political
trampS from all over the country hast
ened to the scene and the eyes of the
whole country were turned upon the
Ninth district.
Mr.. Ast0r's club and society friends
took their coats Off and' went to work
will a will for him. and the battle ragged
iiercely. MI. AStor, towards the closing
days Of the canvass. is said to have re-
marked to his friends that if defeated
ne would never run for Office again
in New York city, as there was no
chance for man who had the reputa
ton of being extremely wealthy when
another wealthy man was pitted against
him on the side Of the majority. On
election evening Mr.. Aston found that
his opponent had defeated him by about
5000 majority, and. if the statement
credited to him be correct, he has kept
his word thus far.
But defeat in this memorable contest
brought victory. The Republican party
did not forget Mr.. Astor's gallant fight.
and in 1882 President Arthur rendered
him the appointment of minister to
Italy. which he at once accepted. He
sailed for Europe soon after, and for
three years and until the appointment
of his successor by President Cleveland,
in 1885, represented the United States
at the Italian court.
Soon after his return he began to put
| into shape the material he had gathered
while at Rome. and in 1886 published
| his first novel. 'Ealentino," a story of
history and romance in Italy, which
brought him prominently before the
! public as an author. 1t is said that he
was aided in the preparation of
| this work by the late Allen Thorndyke
! Rice. one of his most intimate friends.
! The book called forth, from the social
| prominence of its author, an immense
| deal of criticism. The general verdict
was that although good in style. and
| we'll written iii parts. it was not great
| work, and was, OH the whole, somewhat
dull. Since then Mr.. Astor has kept at
| his literary lab0rS, and has produced nu-
merOus short sketches and stories and
recently published his second work,
''Sforza, Romance of Milan" which is
still fresh in the public mind. For the
| club at Tuxedo, of which he is promi-
nentmember, and where he has built and
occupies beautiful house on the shores
of the lake, Mr.. Astor has written an in
teresting little historical brochure.
p" "
William Waldrof Astors chief char
acterlstics are tenacity of purpose,
strong will, literary tastes, domestic at
tachments and affection for his friends.
His circle of intimate acquaintance is
comparatively small, but those who
know him well are devoted to him, and
he has the respect and esteem of the COM
munity. Like his father and ancestors
he is conservative, prudent and some
what exclusive in his dealings with
men. His home life is happy one. and
he has always led blameless life. He
is strong Episcopalian, and will succeed
| to bic fothpr'c plonp and pncitinn of