The times., 1898-10-17
ATE ON A TREE STUMP.
William Waldorf Astor Wins IA
Wager of $4,000.

London, Oct 1G.-Wiiliam Waldorf As
tor won a wager of $50 900 Saturday night
by giving long-expected dinner TO TWEEN
ty-seven persons seated around a table
made from a single cross section of :,
great California redwood tree.
Nearly two years ago Mr.. Astor had
discussion with Gen. owen Williams
about the size of California trees. the
Englishman not believing that they grew
to such enormous size as Mr.. Astor as
serted. The result was a wager by the
American millionaire that he woud d give
a dinner to twenty-seven persons who
would dine comfortably around the trunk
of California tree
AT great expense Mr.. Astor had q sec
ton of a gigantic tree sent to him from
California. Ii measured eighty-one feet
in circumference. When the tree arrived
in England it was taken TO Clivedcn, the
beautiful country place of Mr.. AstOr. on
the Thames, near Henley. There 1t was
partially buried in part of the park
known as the Half Moon What the OBJ
ject was in burying ii is not known. but
1t was left for months partially under
ground.
Four weeks ago the section of the tree
who smoothed OF the surface and polish
ed it highly. AS 1t was impossible TO get
the table into the house large MARQUEE
tent was erected over it In little glade
of the Half Moon wood. The ground was
strewn with fresh ferns to make natu-
raj carpet, and there the dinner was
given. No cloth was spread over the
polished surface but 1t was prettily deco
rated with wild flowers by young Miss
fft,lf nd a "A
soft light over the costly silver plate and
china Chinese lanterns Were hung from
the great doorway of Cliveden to ,the
marquee and the glade was Sayly illumi-
mated.
Most OF the guests had been at Give
den for a week, while others came from
TapIow Court. where Lady Louise Gren-
fel was having a house party Tea was
served in the great hall of Cliveden dur
ing the afternoon, and soon aIter D
o'clock the march TO the strange dining
table in the glade began. As the guests
entered the marquee there were many eE-
CARNATIONS of wonder and delight.
Mr. Astor presided, with his twenty
six guests seated in circle around the
tree. They were bit crowded and face
tious guests remarked that Mr. Astor
had invited the thinnest people he knew.
The guests were Gen. owen Williams.
of Tranby Croft notoriety, who made
the bet; Lady Louisa Grenfen, Capt.
Grenfen, Marquis of Hamilton; the Ouch
ess of Abercorn. Lord George Hamilton.
Hon. w f. II. Smith. Mrs Smith, Lady
Randolph Churchill. Drummond Me-
Gregor. F. Wykeham Martin. Mrs. Wyke-
ham Martin, Miss Martin A. III. Grenfell,
Miss Williams. Mrs. Reuben Sassoon. Sir
Watkin Wynn, Hon. W. Lyttleton. Col.
St George, the Earl Of Desart. Vicar of
Tapiow, Lord Athlumney. Capt. Lambton,
Lord Castletown. Hamilton Stuboer' ana
Miss Chisholm. The menu was hand
painted, representing a redwood tree with
the course on the trunk. The dinner was
served from a small kitchen erected in
the wood nearby. Mr.. Astor had the
Duchess of Abercorn on his right and
Mrs. Smith on his left.
The Dukes of Cambridge and Teck were
to have attended. but were detained at
the last moment. Gen. Williams paid the
bet and after dinner the guests went
back to the great Cliveden house for the
evening. as the weather was somewhat
chilly.