Omaha daily bee., 1896-06-21

woman OF about 20 years OF age. She is OF
medium height and dark in style. She is
very brunette and is not a handsome girl.
Her hair does not lie in natural ripplcs
around her face, and her eyes are a little
too far apart for great beauty. There are
flaws in her appearance, but this only
makes her more like an everyday young
woman with the halo around her OF actual
gold-all the money and possessions that a
young woman could have.
Take these conditions and you have the
American princess as she is today.
Miss Gretude Vanderbilt possesses the
first requirements OF a princess in that she
has a castle. Yes, aud more than one. The
marvellous residence in New York City was
built FOR her special use alone, For years
the Older house. itself the grandest that up
TO that time had ever been seen, served the
family very well. But as soon as this
daughter grew old enough to come out in
society a new one had to be built.
At a cost Of half a million for the prop
erty. all the adjoining houses were bought
and torn down, and on the plot upon the
rear was constructed a lawn, when lies
under the young girls windows and keeps
her view clear to Central park, This prop
crty is opposite the open plaza by which
the park is entered, and to estimate the
cost OF this American princess lawn would
be stepping into figures that would not he
believed. Suffice to say that 1t is the most
expensive double plot in the world. Even
the square in front of Windsor castle would
sell for less in dollars.
FAIRY SURROUNDINGS.
The suite of rooms overlooking the plot are
fairyland itself. Below them lie wonder
ful plants. kept ever glorious by a trained
gardener. and inside there is a dream in
white and blue decoration. 1t is said that
famous painters frescoed these walls. Ana
this must be the truth, for such beautiful
frescocs as surround the many mirrors that
set in the walls were never seen before.
There are many rooms in the suite, and the
bath room is an eastern idyl in onyx. white
and colored stones and semi-precious gems.
The American princess Is here only a month
or so in the year, but her suite awaits her
always.
Like all princcsses, she has more than
one castle. In Newport there is a man
sion so stately that reports of 1t were cablod
around the world as its work progressed.
Fountains play inside, Conservatives shed
their bloom through the house, statues that
were made in Rome and are either the
actual chiselings of the old masters or great
reproductions, stand around. The two CO
lossal figures that support the slab in the
grand salon are declared worth a fortune 10
any poor man.
In getting up all this the father of the
American princess has been very liberal to
his own countrymen, and, like the father of
all Processes, delights in knowing that his
daughters popularity is due largely to the
number of people he supports in giving
luXuries to her.
In London there is another palace. 1t is
occupied yearly, unless forgotten for a busy
season, and down on Long Island is another.
Some idea of the elegance of this last named
little country house may be had when you
\ consider that the twin house to 1t was Sc
lected for a grand ~honeymooning for the
duke and duchess OF Marlborough. 1t oc-
cupies acres of land with its summer houses,
outhouses, butter houses and arbors, and
the American princess, when she runs down
here with her young playmates, can forget
she is a princess and be T little girl again.
A CHARITABLE PRINCESS.
AS princesses are known not so much by
what they have as what they give, this
American princess steps far over the regal
boundary in her benefactions. These, be-
sides being numerous, are generic. She
has certain set charities which she sup
ports herself.
In st. Bartholomew church, where she
is a member. there is a charity for small
children which looks to Miss vanderbilt
yearly for its sustenance. She gives it not
only clothing and cast off things, but money,
checks, gold and dollars-actual dollars.
Another charity-and this one Is said to
he almost entirely sustained by hers the
institution of st. Bartholomew's mission.
This occupies a large building in a business
quarter of New York, and reaches out its
arms in every conceivable direction. Men
find work and children find food. Nothing
but can be got here. Educations are the
smallest of gifts. References of character
and recommendations are given as merely
so many gracious words.
To this charity Miss vanderbilt goes
often in person. And to 1t she gives i'm
mense sums. 1t would not be fair to say
that she supports it, for this would cost
perhaps a million a year, but If her private
contribution were withdrawn a year the
mission would lack all things sadly.
Privately. this American princess glTes
away stacks. No other word tells it.
Clothing, music lessons, railroad tlch''s-
everything that the struggling can wac
- l, Oh. niNFnG these 1nllGS
incidentally as they are asked ior' II
takes IN none of her time. 1t is done by
a word to her secretary or companion or
maid. A word from the princess carries
almost a fortune to those who want
After her regular charities are counted
come the benefactions which she does by
her own luxuries. No young woman own
/ ing so many equipages, employing so many
maids, presiding over so many sets Oh goll
links. and having at her call so many KEN
nels of dogs. can help supporting many a
family in caring for them. the American
princess is allowed to pay literally for all
she gets, and to be in her employ Is TO be
assured of a comfortable support Tor lie
and a security for ones family arterwaru'
To this there are many IN snug homes
around New York who can TESTIFY.
The American princess is very fond OF
dogs. An artist, seeing her once with a
long-Iegged hound smuggling by her sue
sketched her with a serious look upon heI
COCO she commonly wears. Her wealth Is
~ 9AN AAAAAA'A .t-
to her a matter OF course, but she leels 'ne
responsibility of dispensing 1t, young as
she is.
FABULOUS LUXURIES.
FabuIous stories are told of her private
Injuries. 1t is said she has four sets OF
golf links for her favOrite game wherever
she NAV be-in London, at Newport, down
at the country place on Long Island. or up
the Hudson. Her kennels of dogs and packs
Of hounds are dwelt upon by those VINO see
her, If she were to let loose her dogs OF
war. according to those who have seen her
with her animals, she could stand In a neld
four miles square and have hounds gathered
around her until they faded off like toy dogs,
so many are her kennels.
Her horses and equipages are wonderlmsiy
described in the same way, but 10 an Is
added the fact that men have constant en-
ployment caring for them. Thoush the
princess may not use them for seasons
thew never are rented OF loaned to thro"
any one out of work. -
small green enamel piano, costing $iio'-
oOo went the rounds of the whispers a rev
days ago, and was visited and listened 10
with 10y. And there are tales OF what sue
is doing now for a New Year benelacIloh
to all. ut Amoricsn
princess is engaged to be married. ihsre
Ia a splendid foundation for the STORY n
- .,ofo 10 say that IL is true. But, inc