The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-07
FIRST LADY in SOCIETY
QUESTION THAT HAS CAUSED LIVE
LY DISCUSSION IN NEW YORK.
Mrs. AstOr Reported to Have Been Ac-
of the BradIey-Martin ball.
Special to the Indianano,is Journal

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Feb. 6.-"Who is the first
lady in society,"" This is of the ques-
tons that has been brought 10 the front in
the discussion of the Bradey-Martin fancy
dress ball, TO be given at the Waldorf Ho-
tel on the 10th inst. 1t has been debated in
the newspapers, talked about in business
offices, in clubs. on ,Change-in fact, by
people of all classes and vocations. 1t has
even been discussed in the Tenderloin dis
trict and by the kids of the "yaller"
type, who always keep up to date by get
ting their cue from the big-letter head
lines in the sensational press. The question:
it is said, has been settled temporarily by
according the honor of first lady to Mrs.
Aston, but the subject will continue to be
discussed till after the ball. The following
from the Evening Journal, printed under
three inches of headlines, is sample of
the newspaper part of the discussion:
Some wise man announced long, long
ago that the wife of the President of the
United States was the first lady in the
land, and now one equally wise, or wiser
in fact, is wanted TO declare who Is the
first in New YORK society. This question
of precedence is becoming serious; already
il has moved Mrs. Bradley-Martin and has
bade fair to interfere with the success of
her great ball. Does woman who belongs
to the Colonial Danes or is one of the
daughters OF the heNOlullOn GdIlh higher
than another who can trace her ancestry
back to some one of the many swethearts
who enjoyed the society of the Second
Charles? Such points as these. those in the
Four Hundreds inner. circle say. must be
settled at once; or, psfore, you know it So
ciety will not be oh speaking terms with
Itself. A case in point has just arisen
Mrs. Ogden Mills, confident in the posses
sion of a rank that. has no rival, called
Dear Mrs. Martin said Mrs. Mills Il
have arranged beautiful quadrille for
your ball and of course'-as who should
of mind?-I shall expect to be first
- But dear Mrs. Mills Mrs. Martin re-
piled. as her face grew pale and she shud-
soon be presented. i have promised that
honor to Mrs. Frederick Bronson who has
the debutante. LOUIS, XIV quadriile In
Am 1 not always first? Mrs. Mills is
said to have inquired in sweet tones, but
with determined look in her eye. IL
-" 'Aheml was Mrs Martins conservative
and non-committal answer.
But, dear Mrs. Martin, Mrs Mills went
on. about the quadrille"
Dear Mrs. Mills, L have promised Mrs.
Martin began.
Then, dear Mrs Martin shall not be
able to enjoy your hospitality Mrs; Mills
announced so rumOr has IL. and with that
she swept out of Mrs. Martins drawing
room with great dignity.
OF course Mrs. Martin at once became
very sad and thought what an awful thing
the question of precedence is except TO the
one who actually precedes. and then she
consulted with Mrs. Bronson. Mrs. Edmund
Baylies will appear with her Louis XVI
quadrile. in which some Of the most prom
inent matrons of the younger set will dance
Mrs. Oliver III. Il. Belmont may or may not
have her own quadrille. Those invited to
the ball want her to carry out plan she
suggested, as the dancers in her creation,
SO far as gorgeousness of costume is con-
cerned. would eclipse those earlier on the
floor. That lady was particularly good ma
tured. and soon cut the Gordian knot with
a fortunate suggestion
- Give the place of honor to Mrs. Aston.
she said and Mrs. Aston gets ii, and Mrs.
Mills will be at the ball Mrs. Aston will
lead with quadrille of her own, and Mrs.
Mills will follow with her incroyable quad
rifle. in which the dancers will wear cos
tunes made familiar by pictures of the
Directoire period. And now the question
arises: Does the position given to Mrs.
Aston settle her standing for all time? Is
she the first lady in society? Many
they who say she is. After Mrs. Mills's
quadrille will come Mrs Frederic Bronson S
Louis XIV quadrille. 1t cannot properly
pass as a debUtantes' dance. as there are
but few of this seasons young ladies to
particina q ~