The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-21
TRUE STORY OF THE SLIPPER.
Bettina Gerard Tells All About it Cor
the First Time.

Miss Bettina Gerard" daughter of the
late Gen. Ordway, who was SO well known
in Richmond and who lived here some
years ago, is at the Jefferson.
She is in Richmond to fill a theatrical
engagement. and her appearance here has
created much interest, for she "aa born
in this city, and her career. which has
been most interesting one, has been
watched by those who knew her here.
She made herself famous in the leading
part in The Heart of Maryland some
years ago, and has appeared most sue
cessful!y in opera.
This is her first appearance in Rich
mond, and is something OF an experiment.
but so flattering has been her reception
that she may remain. although several
managers want her to accept engage
menis in the legitimate.
| called on her al her apartments at the
Jefferson Hotel last night.
AS she sat back iii an easy chair in the
reception-room, Mss Gerard gave me the
only authentic account of the famous SATIN
slipper and champagne story.
1t was shortly after my marriage to
Mr. Padleford when [ was just eighteen
years old. a giddy young thing. We had
been to Europe on our wedding tour, and
had lust returned to America. We hau
gone to the White sulphur Springs for
short stay and there met several of my
old friends.
Among them were two gentlemen we'll
known in social circles in Washington and
Virginia. Both Of them We're true Virginia
gentlemen, and one of them Is now i
leader in Virginia political circles Inc
other gentleman is dead, but his memory
is fresh in the minds of many Elrsinians
with whom he was SO popular.
1T was at the conclusion Of german
one night when the incident occurred.
These two gentlemen and myself, win
the consent OF my husband, repaired 10
one of the small reception rooms, and one
of them brought in bottle OF cnain ,,
payne There was just one pott4e lof ai'
OF us.
when the vine had been poured out
and we were about TO drink. l made the
remark in Joking way, that upon lhe
wedding day OF the girls in Poland the
guests drank from her slipper
..Ona OF the gentlemen remarked that
ba vo,,-fir't do such thing, but the othef
said that he would do SO if the brlae were
q pretty girl. ,,o,,.oa
u gave him the challenge, and allowed
my slipper to drop OH by sl-shis ie-s-'7
my foot from the floor
The slipper was of black salln' ne
picked it up, poured the Wine from ms
glass into the heel OF the supper anu
drank 1t.
.-rnat IS all there was to it. I had for
gotten the incident until some time after
ward when we had returned to Europe.
An illustrated paper was sent me with an
alleged account OF the affair written IN
most elaborate style
II was provoked and mortified, for the
incident was simply an innocent diversion
that would have been forgotten by al OF
rs I can only account for the puoiiclty
GIVEN Il bv the fact that at another tapie
in the room sat gentleman and .aoy
whom we had not noticed at tirsi Ihey
must have been elaborators and the per
sons who gave the story out.
Miss Gerard said she felt that she was
herself again. and with her renewed
health and strength she said she was con-
tdent she would remain herself -
Her little daughter, who is heiress to an
estate worth s40eooo. Is with Mrs. orowaS,
her grandmother. at newport anu q 49, uI,e,
corresnondence is kept up between mother
child.