Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-20

tir7 T, probably ranks pre-eminent
among the hundreds of thousahas ol
l-.rtetrnas-trees set up in all parts OF the
world. 1t IS a small tree. not more than :
feet HIGH. and the average child would
not REGARD 70 with as much pleasure as
.r.. hrlrcked with dolls ana drums
Noah's arl.s and blocks. candy and pop
corn. aud lighted with candles. Ten uoi-
hrs ,vU make the ordinary tree a very
attractive affair But 1t takes $1,000 10
decorate this particular tree with ulhhe's
and toys.
Slv OF seven years ago Mrs. Iheoaofe
Tavemeyer the wife Of the sugar hlhs,
r.ra her first Christmas Eve party, and
Since then It has been the great holuay
event Of society. Her Madison-aVenue
loyse. OF plain brick. with scarcely the
shadow OF exterior ornamentation. is Gre
died with being the finest house IN New
York and that as saving a good deal When
ffa balances Of the Astors. the Wander
tfr- and the Guolds are remembered
Mrs Havemever IS an Austrian. not
srIv an Austrian. but native or VIENNA
AMI that city is considered to be the happl-
f-- on earth Viennose sits up nights
tt.rsire over new ways 90 squeeze a httle
move happiness into existence. lie Is nap
~ iD poverty but with money IN MS
pocket his joy Is as wide as the "oIio'
BUYS LIKE a QUEEN.
,rr- Tra,enoever mas this trait, peculiar
10 her native land. developed to periec-
ton she has money by the vanload at
he command. and. what is more she
SHOWS how 20 spend II. 10 is an Ola story
t..nl- che shOpkeepers that she never
asks The price Of anything. II she iancies
wrap. Il bonnet biz OF Jewefy, a
painting. piece Of statuary, roll or lace
Eli. -ays ''sond il home" An English
st1nkecper barely escapes fainting from
t1v when he receives a royal command 10
take his wares to the Palace and ezhlDit
them 10 the queen, and MS New DIN
brother has emotions. OF the same kinu
when ne sees Mrs. Havemeyers carriage
driving up to his door
afrs Uavemever's Christmas-tree party
Ibis wear viii be attended by sixty guests.
Every woman of note in New YORK socie-
g. has her own particular set, and Mrs.
Ha~emeyers IS the Westchester Country
-i.b crowd. the people who spend ten
months En- the year eolfng. hunting, yacht
nr skating. t0bogganing polo playing
Inl following the other pleasures OF out
1cor country life. a dash into the city ior
4 few days. "A week or month. TWO or
three times IN the town season. and then
bel, again 20 the beloved cOuntry-that
Is tho life Of this particular set.
A MASS OF WHITE AND GOLD.
The Christmas-tree IS set IN one corner
o. the great ballroom. where everything
f. white and gold. The walls are OF glls-
teoiug white marble. with delicate trace
Inks OF gold Al one end Is q great pipe
organ. built into the wall; the organ Is
OIL white and gold. Curtains OF white satin
aud white velvet. ornamented IN gold,
hang from the windows and doors. Tiny
Flt cOtillon chairs upholstered in white,
are scattered along the sides OF the room.
The ceiling is painted I'm white ana gold;
the woodwork. with the exception OF the
polished flooring. IS white and gold. Golden
brackets jut out from the walls. holding
bulbs Of sOftened electric-lghts.
The wide doors look out upon wide
hallway. all marble and gold. A marble
ttairway growing broader with each up
ward step. leads 70 q wide platform half
way 70 the upper floor. and from this
platform the way leads into the big con-
feryatory. bigger than the conservatory
81 any other house IN New York.
A GOLDEN SANTA CLAUS
This 80 the place where the Christmas
rec guests viii assemble next Thursday
hght. The fun viii not begin until IL
o'clock. when the hostess viii group the
Knests about tho Christmas-tree There
,aey VIII find Mr.. Haycmeyer, costumed
n~s Tie conventional Santa Claus. lie