Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-24
AN ASTOR SCANDAL.
BIG SENSATION IN NEW YORK OVER
THE DRAYT ON-BoaRo OWE AFFAIR.
Tho wouid-be Duehst Bound for Amor
ioa on tho same steamer-Drayten's
Frte nds scofr at tho Story of the Annual
Monetary Considsration.

NEW YoRK, March 20.--J. Coleman
Drayton and Halet Alsop Borrowe are
crossing the Atlantic on the same steamer.
Mr.. Borrowe caught tbs Majestic at Queens
town. IL that threatened duel Is fougnt
upon her deck society will hear about 1t
soon-whether the ships doctor does or does
not. The steamer is due March 23 at this
port
Society was not unprepared to hear OF the
trouble between Mr.. Drayton and MIR. bor-
rowe; but society believes that the INJURY
inflicted upon the English language in the
course OF their correspondence is more SER
ious than any which the principals will ever
sustain upon the field Of honor. Runor has
been busy with their troubles for weeks,
and gossips have found it "a delightful sub
ject. For Mrs. Drayton WAS an Aston, and
an Aston scandal hes interest always.
The story is like a thousand others. Mr..
Drayton, OF al old Philadelphia family,
married Augusta, third daughter OF Mr..
and Mrs. William Aston, in this city III
years ago. Mr.. Drayton did not care much
for society; bis wife, though not beautiful,
had been accustomed to social triumphs.
Perhaps they became fewer and less graft
flying after her marriage. At any rate, So
dscord in the household.
Then came Mr.. Borrowe, son Of Samuel
Borrowe, vice-president Of the Equitable
| Life Assurance society, as some men always
come in a book, play or \ fragment OF real
life. The Draytons went to England; Mr.
Borrowe went to England; and perpetual
peace became impossible. That Mrs. Dray-
| ton and Mr.. Borrowe were more near than
| friends is denied abundsntly; but appear
| auces are more important than realities in
such affairs.
Coleman Drayton's friends Indignantly
| reject as false the charge that he submitted
to the relations between Borrowe aud Mrs
Dray ton for monetary consideration.
They are unanimously of the opinion that
the story was used by Borrowe as the only
convenient expediept for avoiding a meeting
with the injured husband. They believe
that Borrowers seconds outwitted Dray ton d
seconds who were two dull Frenchmen, and
that it was a consideration for Burrowe'f
personal comfort and safety rather than 6
fine distinction of honor that prevented the
meeting
This view of the case, involving as il
does, an imputation of cowardice upon Bor'
rows is earnestly combatted by that gentle
man $ friends. They rely entirely upon tn,
|
consideration to defend Borrowers course
Attention is called by Drayton's friends tc
the fact that Borrowers seconds decided
that Drayton was not entitled to a hostil'
meeting on purely expart- statement o
the case made by one of the principals
They say the case will assume diifsren
us pect when Drayton's side of the story i
told.
The story of the affair recalls a quarre
several years ago between Mrs. Drayton'
brother, John Jacob Aston, and Mr.. Bor
rowe's younger brother, .Beekman Kip Bor
rowe. Mr.. Aston and young Nj. Borrow
met in the cloak room after ball, and il
some way became involved 10 an alterca
ton. Al the time it was said that btr. As
tor had offended Mr. Borrowe, and that tn
latter had rstali Hated with blow straigh
out from the shoulder The row created
good deal of talk at the time and it wa
even suggested that the young men ha
agreed to settle their differences by the cod
of honor. The friends of the young mer
, however, declared that tho trouble had bee
very much exaggerated, and that it amount
ed to nothing. This story was revived ye:
terday, and it was limited that the encour
Ter was the result of something that ha
been said regarding Mr.. Hallette Borrow
and Mrs. Drayton.
Drayton is heir to abundant wealth an
his financial prospects are used to thro'
suspicion on the story of his receiving a
annual consideration for his wrongs froI
} the Astors
Much sympathy is expressed for Mr. an
Mrs. William Astor, parents Of Mrs. Dray
ton, as we'll as for the husband
The arrival of the Majestic is awaite
with greater interest probably than an
event which has occurred OF is likely to o.
cur in New York in a long time.