Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-05-16

ton Is amazing; but he is so convinced
Of Mrs. Drayton's disloyally, and feels
so foully wronged that he is deter
mined 70 obtain divorce. He was
long bent on bringing suit in the
courts, principally TO get possession of
the three children. despite every effort
and influence 10 restrain him. | have
been told trust that the story Is true
that the distressing case will he
privately heard, and prurient curiosity
he thus disappointed Of its expecta-
lions.
Mrs. William Astor, naturally and 10
her credit has espoused her daugh-
ter's cause, and denounces the hus-
bands procedure as persecution, based
simply on insensate jealousy The
daughter IL living with her mother,
who is said to have proclaimed to her
set chat her friends must be Mrs
Dragons friends, and she is using all
her social influence, which is great, to
further her purpose. She is strong in
VIII and character and infiexible in
temper. Her friends say that when
she once takes a position nothing can
force her TO abandon 1t. l am glad
that the accused wife has so staunch a
defender and one holding so exalted a
place in society. In a social battle one
woman can prevail over hundred
men. Mrs. William Astor is a petit
coated paladin.
This tragic discord, for it is tragic,
whatever the facts, is likely TO divide
the smart set, but the farcic | affair
at Newport has already div led the
Astor family. 1t seems incredible, but
the effects of that frivolous incident
have borne most baleful fruit. 1t has,
| ain told. made the nephew and the
aunt, with her children, ilplacable
foes, and all their kindred and friends
have Joined with them. Il was the
true reason, it is now said. for Will
liam Waldorf Astor's going broad per-
manently and marking out "A new ca
reer for himself in England. He did
not want to live here and be at vari-
ance amounting TO an ayowel rupture
between himself and his, and the
other branch OF the family. This is
made entirely probable by what has
occurred since. When Waldorf Aston
arrived here, two or three days after
the arrival of his wifes remains, he
went to the New Netnerland, the hotel
that he owns, never setting foot in his
aunts house. lie has had no commu-
nication whatever with the other AS
tor nd ~ will
back to London as soon as he can at
tend to certain business details that
demand lis personal attention here,
without speaking to any Of them
lit has already been noticed that not
one of William Astors family, or any
of their connections by marriage ex-
cept Coleman Dray ton, was present at
Mrs. Waldorf Astor's funeral It
might be supposed that, ON such an oe-
casion, any ordinary differences, any
common diSlikes, would be set aside,
that previous quarrels would be for
given. If not forgotten. But the en-
nifty is too great, the feeling too bitter
to be dspelled even by the presence of
death. Waldorf Astor is still so ag-
grieved that he would not permit any
flowers, save his own, to be placed on
the casket lest some Of the other
flowers might come from his odious
reia lives. This single circumstance
may Indicate to what lengths the New
port Squabble must have gone. The
original cause may nave been insig
niticant compared witt what followed,
Plutocratic rage must be more intense.
more engrossing more abiding than
non-plutocrats can imagine. 1t must
exceed conception It would seem TO
he terrible.
Coleman Drayton was at the obse-
quies, doubtless, to manifest his SYM
pathy with Waldorf AStor and his
antipathy to Mrs, William Aston, to
whom lie Is violently opposed az his
mother-in-law and his wife's vehement
advocate. The two are reputed to be
at daggerS drawn, at white heat Of
fury. 1t is singular, indeed, that the
Asters, any of them. should display
their anger in such fashion, barng
had SO long social training, which
should prompt them to hide the I'M
pleasant. the unconventional whatever
the temptation to the contrary.
Waldorf Astor is regarded by those
intimate with him as a very amiable.
quiet, kindly. well-bred man. He was
devoted to his wife. from all accounts
a rarely sweet, unpretending, con-
scieutious, charitable woman, and he
would be more than mortal If he
should not resent che studied neglect