The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-31
FRESH GOSSIP
FROM GOTHAM.
The Swell Ball Given by Mrs. Astor
a at Her Home.
FITS STARTLING STATEMENT.
He Declares That He Was Dragged
When He Met Jcrries at
Concy Island Last
June.
FITS STARTLING STATEMENT.

NEW YORK, Jan. so.-Special-Mrs.
Astor's first and only ball this season
was given last evening, and was bril-
liant and exclusive affair. Nest OF the
guests arrived after the opera. The CO.
tillon was led by Mrs Elisha Dyer. Jr..
assisted by Mr.. Harry Lehr. Mrs. Orme
Wilson was Mr.. DS7er's partner.
In its description OF the ball the Herald
says:
Jack Frost was out with vengeance
last night, and even the fur enveloped
guests, as they left their carriages, si;V-
cred and tripped l,urrHily up the few
ma1fble steps which led from the Arctic
fllo cold of the streets to the tropical
warm tn Of the ballroom Even the most
biase, once within the entrance, edacnlated
obi in the most delighted OF tones. ex-
rressions Of admiration being heard on
every side. Winter may have had his
innings without. but certainly spring
reisned supreme within.
Nothing hut spring blossoms was used
in decorating the foyers- There we're tail
trees Of Towering ounce. bushes of al
1nonds in full bloom, great masses Of ap-
pie blossoms side by side with trailing
clusters of brilliant forsythia The effect
was charming.
Elsewhere roses were used with lavish
profusion. The reception room ut The left
was decorated entirely with pink roses.
the drawing room adjoining with Ameri-
can Beauties and Japanese lilies. ar
ranged in tall silver vases, and the sup
per tables, which were placed in the foyer
and dining-room Of Mr.. John jacob As
tors house. had each centre decoration
of American Beauties. The ballroom, as
usual, was ornannented with palms.
THE HOSTESS.
Mrs. Astor, who looked remarkably well.
stood just within the entrance of the
drawing-room to receive her guests. Her
gown was OF black velvet elaporately
trimmed with jet lace, and she wore her
famous stonacher OF diamonds, a dia-
nlond necklace and i tiara Of diamonds
in her coiffure.
There were some beautiful favnrs, con-
s1sting of silk sashes, Directoire sticks.
trimmed with Eauze and ribbons; japan
csc fans. silver trinkats bon-bonnieres to
represent Dutch tiles; bouquets and bou-
tonnieres of flowers, satin trumpets and
{. quantity of small articles, such as
leather card cases, pin cushions and ia
panesa figures in miniature.
Tho supper. which was a very important
feature of the evenings entertainment,
was served by Sherry after the cotiilon.
An epidemic OF inlumps has broken out
at Inwood, l.. I. About one hundred cases
have been reported SO far, and the health
authorities may be forced to close the
public schools.
Senator Chauncey NJ. Depew's opera
house. at Peekslill. was destroyed by fire
this morning, and now only the brick
walls remain of the handsome and costly
theatre.
WAS =T'ITz DRUGGED?
Tho claim OF F'itzslnInons, that he was
drugged in his fight with Laffries. at
Coney Island last June, is the iopic of the
hour in SnOrtirr circles He SAYS that
the drug was given to him in The water
which he drank during the early part of
the fight, and that he has no recollection
of anything that happened after ne went
out for the third round He vaguely re-
calls asking his seconds who il .7'as that
he was fighting with, but does rot re-
member what answer they gave him. He
also has O faint recollection of hearing
Julian tell him TO stand up during the
tenth round.
rCorbett remarked at the time, that if
F'itz. had put mp such a fight when he
met HIM, he (CorbetD would still have
been champion OF the world.