The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-04

Defender.
Tall, straight. graceful and with the sweet
est expression in the world.
That is the briefest pen picture of our
greatest yachtswoman. Mrs. q. Oliver Iselin.
And she is not only tho greatest yachtswoman
OF America, but of the whole world, for she
is the only woman who has ever been heart
and soul enough in yacht racing to give up a
spring and summer TO studying her craft.
and the only one who eats sleeps. and lives
aboard a racing yacht without ever coming
ashore for as much ss afternoon on land.
But Mrs. c. Oliver Iselln has other claims
TO being the greatest Of sea sportswomen.
The yacht syndicate members declare that
"Mrs Iseiin and Herreshoff" built the De-
fender They say that without her sugges-
tions tho yacht would have lacked many an
important minor detail that will help 1t in the
final race and that from the time the first
pencil plan was drawn until Mrs Iselin
cracked the bottle Of champagne upon her
deck, crying: ~ name thee Defender!" she
worked as tirelessly as the blind builder, Civ
ing her entire attention to every step in the
work
Women who spend part OF the year aboard
their yachts, sailing foreign seas, are yachts
women undoubtedly. but they know nothing
of the hardships Of yachting. 1t is all luxury
for them in their great cabins and spacious
dining rooms.
MRS LUCY oARNEGIE.
Mrs. Lucy Carnegie, who lives upon the
Dungenness most Of the time, end who was the
first woman to be- admitted 10 the New York
Yacht Club, has the reputation abroad Of
being the greatest yachtswoman OF America,
and the Dunraven sisters are ranked in their
own country as the greatest England boasts.
But Mrs Iselin has earned her title this sum
mer to the greatest, and, whether she gets the
cup or not, will continue TO hold the name.
Mrs. Isslin is a very young woman, and for
a season she was known as "the greatest heir
ess in America" She was exploited and so
considered in society. For long time her
identity was as mysterious 10 strangers as
that OF a hidden princess. That she lived in
Providence il "a great house, that she owned
fine horses, and exhibited them yearly at all
the horse shows of the country, that she was
the guest winters Of Mrs. Frederick Wander
bilt in New York. and that she had cottage at
Newport summers were tangible facts. But
so marvellous were the stories told about her
prowess in equine fields and so great the
glamor that surrounded her individuality
that she seemed TO bear more Of a charmed life
than an ordinary girls existence. Hope
Goddard, the New England heiress," was "A
name TO conjure with.
One night at the New York horse show IL
was whispered about next evening Miss God
dard would ride her imported prize mare.
Lady Derwent, so as to have the pleasure of
carrying of the ribbon upon tine ears of the
greatest lady's saddle horse.
MRS. IsrLIN's LOVE or HORSES.
And to see her mount and ride in the ring
a greater crowd than ever assembled. The
Madison Square Garden was packed beyond
the door. But Miss Goddard didn't ride.
Lady Derwent went through her PAGES
cording to the program. But in one Of tho
boxes. quietly dressed and listening TO tho
comments of the crowd, sat Miss Goddard.
No one ever could accuse her Of notoriety
seeking.
When Mr.. Iselin laid claim 10 her hand, as
the man most nearly deserving the woman
who had distinguished herself in the very
fields in which he had won fist honors. no.
body thought Miss Goddard would accept
him. Mr.. Maclxay OF California had the inside
track to her Affections or II he had not, there
were others. But Miss Goddard married Mr..
Isvlin sunny June Gay, year ago, and
sat down under marquee on her fathers
lawn with 200 guests around her. And
strai sktaway she became a. model a mother
TO his small family ana perfect an aid 10
his yachting pursuits as she had hitherto been
in tre horse world.
No woman ~ more averso TO publicity than
hrs. Iselin. She reluctantly loaned her por-
trait TO tho portrait exhibition last year.
And 1t was gazoa ut so long and 80 admiringly
by both men and women that the ushers had
to gently remind the crowd % keep moving.
Ars Isein would have gwen worlds to
withdraw At Ii gave her ibe red checks for
which she is 50 admired, anu all thu pretty
coloring that she has la lie.
Mrs. Iselin now, "a the representative
yachtswoman OF America, has tho DUH color
in of the Aer hair la, taken the bronze
tiuge of the sun the waves, ana her face
IS IS Lrown.sh red as the water whom the sun
kisses II good night. Ter hands, strong and
perfect As the traditional hand Of tno blue
blood, are brown, ard ,horo are suspicious
loOSing hsrG spotsupon tie palm that suggest
hand upon a rope now aIa ,aen.
Living upon racing yagLs Like the DE-.
fender may bo great honos out At is not
the most luxurious thing in the world to DO.
woman who has hal Der own dressing
ROOM her own breakfast room, her own bou-
doir, and two maids 10 wait ou Ter, must be
IN love with yachting when She can give up
all for cabin that answers the purpose Of
dressing and sleeping room, and mess room
~ "a. a.. ID. ~
Stories are told OF Mrs Iseliu's enthusiasm.
She dearly loves tho Defender! Her eyes
have "A soft look when she slances at the
white sails that are to work for the cup. and
she is moro enthusiastic IN showing OF its
beauties than in exhibiting the town and
country houses of which she and Mr. lseln
have a dozen or more
One day thore came aboard party OF ladies'.
Of lIa.n.. u .IL.I..L