The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-12
MRS. PARAN STEVENS BRANDY.
a Lawsuit That Promises Some Rich
Developments.
From the Washington .Post


Swell society at Newport is still in a
state Of ferment, and all on account Of
bottle of brandy belonging to that
famous leader of the New York arts
tocracy, Mrs. Paran Stevens. 1t is not
the first time, if rumor may be credited,
that conjunction of Mrs. P aran Stevens
with red liquor in the original package
has caused excitement, but we are now
dealing with specific event, and shall be
led away into no Renaissance, however
alluring.
1t appears that, some tenodays or so
ago, Mrs. Paran Stevens gave one of her
snug little dinners at the Marietta Villa
IL was quite exclusive, we are told, only
four or five persons altogether being
present. Mrs. Paran Stevens had found
hungry Englishman, and had invited TO
meet MIN a brace, or possibly a trinity, Of
choice spirits. Among these was Mrs.
Adolf Ladenburg of New York, for sew
vareral years famous, and Justly so, as a
beauty and a belle OF course every
thing was perfect. the appointments, the
cooking, the service, and the wines.
Mrs. Paran Stevens has had large and
led experience in conducting the do
nestle arrangements of an elegant
menage. But just as the ban
quet drew to a close the beautiful Mrs
Ladenburg declared that she felt quite
faint and thar she really must have
stim ulant if they expected her to rally.
She suggested brandy. The hostess there
upon appealed to the butler, another En-
glishman, but one Of great solemhity and
polish. Butler Burge, however, had no
brandy in stock. He was distressed. but
firm. II then transpired that Mrs. Paran
Stevens had bottle of her own upstairs.
The bottle was sent for. Mrs. Laden burg
took ball or two and felt better. In the
glow OF re-established conviviality that
ensued upon this suspicious recovery.
Mrs Paran Stevens informed the com
pany that the brandy just administered
to Mrs, Ladenburg was of priceless value.
1t was known as Dock Samples, " was Of
incalculable age, and every drop, as Mrs.
Paran Stevens with choking utterance
assured them, was apearl. Soon after
ward the guests retired for the night,
and in due course of time the neigh bors
had reason for believing that they were
asleep. ' 4ta.t
Next morning the storm broke. Mrs.
Paran Stevens came down stairs rooted
in the con viction that she had hid the
brandy bottle somewhere about the side.
board, and promptly began 10 look for it.
he hour was con paratively early, but
Mrs. Paran Stevens evidently wanted
budJ DObtl6 dDQ WhHtt4 10 III a hurry. III
was not there. however. She went
straight 10 the spot where she distinctly
thought she remembered having CON
cealed IL, but IL had disappeared, and, as
we say In high class literature, left not
wrack behind Them in a
loud and piercing voice Mrs
Paran Stevens summoned the butler
Burge, and demanded the restoration OF
that inestimable belly wash. In vain
He called heaven to witness that he had
not touched or even seen it, Mrs. Paran
Stevens gave him one hour in which 10
make restitution, and failing that be was
never more 10 call himself steward Of
hers. The hour PASSED, the bottle did not
materialize, and steruly on the stroke OF
the fatal clock Mrs. Paran Stevens
bounced the faithless Burge and released
her pent up tears.
AT breakfast tableaut Mrs. Laden.
burg appeared trimming over with CRATE
ful celebration Of Mrs. Paran Stevens
thoughtfulness in having sent the bottle
OF brandy 70 her room tho night before.
She had felt faint once or twice after re-.
firing, and the dock samples acted like a
charm. Then "A maid appeared with the
bottle, little the worse for wear as re-
gardcd its contents, but still capable Of