The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-04-08

caused all the trouble, are these. Early
last winter Mrs. John S. Wise, who
occupies prominent position in New
York society and is regarded as one of
tho leaders of the Southern set, organ
lied tho Mendelssohn Assembly dances,
which have been held at the hall of
that name during the present season.
Such we'll known ladies as Mrs. Joseph
Robinson, Mrs. Pryor, Mrs. Harrison,
Mrs. Chisolm and Mrs. Garden were
identified with these dances, of which
four have been already given, while the
fifth is announced for April 25.
These assem- blies, which we're attended
by the cream of Southern society, soon
became exceedingly popular, and invi-
tatlons were eagerly sought for and
highly priced by fashionable New York
ers. Admission to membership of the
society was secured by regular elec-
ton before committee, of which Mrs.
Wise was the presiding officer. A pay
ment of $40 was also required for de-
fraying expenses. Mrs. Wise was not
only the originator of these dances, but
was their president, secretary, treasurer
and general mainstay. Her word was
law, and whomsoever she saw fit TO ex-
clude was excluded.
1t was soon remarked by those who
attended these delightful gatherings
that one Of the most attractive and
brilliant beauties from the South, who
was spending the winter in New York,
was conspicuous by her absence from
Mendelssohn Hall. For some unknown
reason. Miss Belle Greene, OF Virginia,
who was then visiting friend at the
Victoria Hotel, was not invited to take
part in these gay reunions of her friends
from the South, although her family
connections, her beauty and her per
sonal popularity gave her the highest
This remarkable and seemingly de-
llberate omission caused much talk
among the gentlemen of tho Southern
Club, many of whom were ardent ad-
mirers of Miss Greene, and the outcome
OF their discussions was formal letter,
written by Mr.. Joshua Brown, an in
huential member, and addressed per-
sonally to Mrs. Wise earnestly request.
ing that an invitation be at once sent to
Miss Greene for the next of the assembly
dances, which was to take place on
January 49, Mr.. Brown declared that
the young lady was for every reason
entitled to be- ''one of their number"
At least dozen other gentlemen wrote
similar letters. Meanwhile Miss Greene
was in complete ignorance of what was
being done.
AT the next meeting of the committee
MIRO. Wise read these letters and pro-
ceeded to give her reasons for being un-
unwilling to comply with the requests
made in behalf of Miss Greene. These
reasons were such as would injure Miss
Greene's social position and caused
much dissatisfaction among her friends,
several of whom were members of the
committee.
1t is not quite certain what Mrs. Wise
did say on this occasion, and it is pos
slble that her words may have been ex-
aggerated and her meaning perverted.
1t is certain, however, that when Miss
Greene heard of the remarks she
thought it necessary to send at once for
her grandfather, ColoneI T. w. Skinner,
OF Richmond, who came on at once to
takesher part.
The colonel and Mr.. Wise are old
friends, but there was no friendly recog-
milton on Colonel SINNERS countenance
when he met Mr.. Wise and demanded
retraction from his wife for the ords
spoken against Miss Greene. In the
event of this retractioh not forthcoming
Colonel Skinner demanded satisfaction
from the husband. This was the first
that Mr.. Wise had heard of the trouble
and he was very much distressed over
the affair, but promised that his wife
should apologize.
Accordingly Mrs. Wise wrote to Col.
Skinner, but the letter was in no wise
satisfactory and the colonel called in
friend and sent note to Mr.. Wise de-
handing more complete retraction.
This friend tried in vain to find Mr..
wise but was unable to do so and
finally Col. Skinner was persuaded by
his friends to return to his home in
Richmond Before doing so, however,
ne sent the following letter to Mrs.
Wise:
Mrs WISE:
duly considered by my granddaughter and her
friends, whoae names they have given me per
mission to nsc. Mrs. George Harrison, Mrs.
iiuyh Garden. DIR. II. Calhoun and others state
that there was no objection made by any one
known to them OF my granddaughter and 1t Ia
by persons not acquainted with her, for accord.
ing to Your own statement that would have been
impossible. which Is that applications for invita-
committee But 1t was not your refusal OF an
invitation that was objected to by ME; that was
your right and proper one. II Just reason could
made by you In the presence OF the committee.
every syllable OF which has come to me from un.
questionable authority, that do object to and
ios which alone ask On apology that no gentle
TO expiatc grevions wrong that nothing can
obliterate. FW SKINNER.
Ono of two things will happen now as
the outcome OF the missive, either Mrs.
John s. Wise will formally apologize
for what she has said concerning Miss
Greene. or Mr.. John s. Wise will have
TO answer personally to Miss Greene'5