The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-06-18
Harry kimball Thaw Gave a Novel
Dinner to Famous
French Beauties.
FEAST COST A BIG FORTUNE.
Gay Young Pittsburser Who Loves
to Spend His Money Better
Than Most People Love to
Make It-FamOus Guests.
SPECIAL BY CABLE.

SPECIAL BY CABLE.
Paris, Tune E~.-(Copyright. 1890. by w. X.
Hearst.)-Harry Kimball Thaw of Pitts
burg has done the impossible. He has as
tonished Paris twice in succession. 1t is
rare that a man succeeds in astonishing 1t
once. The young American Fortunatus.
who loves to spend money as well as some
folks love to make it. surprised Paris IN
May with an $500 dinner of twenty five
covers. But the beauty dinner" which he
has Just achieved will live far longer In the
memory OF the gay Parisians. who do so
love originality.
Thaw was a prominent figure at the Grand
Prix. He rambled at will among the boxes
and stalls. frequented by the celebrated
beauties of the city. and IT seemed as IL
he was hale-fellow well met to them all.
Suddenly the idea of a beauty dinner struck
him. He would have an affair at which
would sit more lovely ~men-wom
famed for their charm of face and their
grace OF form-than had ever before been
gotten together.
So the gay young Pittsburger whispered
a word here and a sentence there. exacting
solemn promises from those who might
prove fckle, that they would attend his
- 1890
jealous of each other as rival prima dome.
with all the skill of a great impresario.
The dinner was given in a famous restau-
rant on the Champs Elysees, the most ex-
pensive on the Continent. The proprietor
was formerly chef TO the Gar OF Russia.
Covers were laid for 80. Tho place was
magnifcently decorated. and the souvenirs
were original and expensive. But ii was
in the company that the feast shone re-
splendent. All the famous beauties OF Paris
were there.
On Thaw's right sat tire dark-,y ID dan
seuse. Lame de Pougy. one of the most IA
nous stage beauties of the gay city. A
short time ago II was reported that Mile.
de Pougy was going to marry one of Paris's
famous poets. But now she had eyes only
for young Thaw. She wore a gown which
a queen might have envied and jewels that
even Mrs. Phyllis Dodge would net de-
spise.
CHANGING down the long tables. one saw
faces which are familiar from the photo
graphs. the paintings and the prints of the
originals which everywhere stare one in the
face.
La Belle Otero, the danseuse; Nellie Neu-
s%tretter. the much-talked-of young woman
whom William X. Vanderbilt colspicuously
admired at the time his wife was recurring
evidence for her divorce: Cleo de Merode.
the ark-haire model. over whom painters
raved and after whom thousands of Dung
women in America hid their ears behind
curtains Of hair; Yvonne de Trsyille. the
Castle Square prima donna: Miss Anna Rob-
inson. we'll known in America and much
sought after by the photographers: Mile.
Rosario. Narnette Stanley. Marcelle Bos-
Chef. Mrs. Barney O'Neil and a sco.,e OF
others scarcely less celebrated for their
good looks.
TIL cost of the dinner is a secret ! OF d.
vulged. 1t is known that the flow ,rs alone
cost 5000 francs. and II Is whispered thai
to each OF the lovely guests young Thaw
presented a fine jewel.
The music was furnished by the most
costly Tsigane band In Paris-the band
which was formerly led by RICO Tanci. the
gypsy who ran off with the heart of the
Princess Chimay. Friends Of Thaw say tie
feast must have cost him $4,000.
1t is scarcely necessary to say that Mon
cher Harrie' is the most popular young
man In Paris.