The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-06-22

good many plebeians feel in this peculiar
institution. The intangible something
which separates the members of this inner
circle from common humanity and the ha-
10 of wealth and elegance which surrounds
them tend TO stimulate curiosity.
Thus it happens that while Mr. Ward
McAllister, the bright particular star in
New York. g social constellation, is person.
ally known to very few people, his fame
has been heralded throughout the land, and
his name is a household word in every COM
munity. A younger and less known aspi-
rant for the leadership of the Four Hun
dred is Oliver Sumner Teall, n young man
who has recently distinguished himself
not only by his activity as n social leader,
but by breezy and unconventional excur-
sions into the worlds of politics and bust
ness. While Mr.. Teall is extremely pop
ular with the younger element of society
his original methods and disregard for
some of the established usages'' have won
the disapproval of n few of the older and
mere sedate members of the Four Hundred
Probably no two men in New York are
better known than Ward NicAllistcr and
Oliver Sumner Teall Yet the public will
probably be interested to learn that if they
should meet on the street each would he
unknown to the other. They not only do
not know each other, but until very recent
~ NnSt Who apparently QuuWuTe Oh tnC
others existence. 1t has been generally
supposed that these gentlemen were, in "A
way, rivals in the field of social leadership.
Mr.. McAllister, of course, has long been
recognized us the authority on all matters
connected with that portion of New Works
population classified as the Four Hundred.
and it was thought that Mr. Teall had also
desired to try his hand ut this exclusive
fashionable element. With view to
learning the facts The World consulted Mir.
McAllister MS to his opinion Of Mr. Tcall
and showed this interview to Mr. Teall. so
that he might give his opinion of Mr. Me
Allister. The results were rather surpris-
ing. Here they are:
MIR. M'ALLISTER ON MIR. TEALL.
II sec there is good deal of talk" said
Mr.. McAllistcr, smiling good humoredly,
about young man of the name of Teali-
let me see, ali, yes-one Oliver Sumner
Teall. This gentleman, l understand, has
offered to clean the streets of the city for
nothing and has had story about himself
written, describing how he spends each
portion of the day. should Judge that he
Is an enterprising person, who will not fail
In the great game of life through any de
probation of his own efforts Such energy
and confidence it is a pleasure to see We
Americans should not and perhaps do not
allow n sense of modesty to stand in the
way of our success.
But l really must demonstrate when
this Mr.. Teall assumes to stand as a spon-
sor for society. He is not Il social man.
Society does not know him. Let me sec if
he is in the bluebook," and MFR Meal
lister took from the top of his desk Il small
volume bound in bright blue, with the
pages gilt edged. He turned these over I'M
til he came to the rs.
Let me see" he said, "ah, here lie is,
TEAL, Oliver Sumner, Mr.. and Mrs. (Bis-
sell|-Ul-, % West Twenty first street
So lie lives in Twenty-frst street, does he:
But the fact OF his being in the blue
book does not necessarily guarantee him
n position in society. The bluebook is
in reality a bridesmaids guide, and only
small fraction of the names it contains are
those of members Of society.
This gentlemen, | believe, came from
Syracuse few years ago. 1t is not Mt all
unlikely that he occupied Il high position
in Syracuse society,"" and here Mr. McAlls-
ter looked more amused than ever, but
you will agree with me when l say that a
person from an interior town is not quail
fed to speak authoritatively about New
York society when he has lived in the me-
tropolis but few years. Why, my dear
sir, our society is the study of lifetime
as