The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-15
GOSSIP FROM GOTHAM

Fencing girls are not uncommon, but
ore who yields the broadsword as well
as the foil is a noteworthy exception
Miss Violet Langham, sister of Baron
ess Won Sternburg, the German ambas-
sador's wife. handles the heavy weapon
with the grace of a prestidigitatrix and
the skill OF an English drill sergeant.
None would imagine, after a careful
glance at her shapely wrist that she
had strength for such vigorous exer-
else. Any such opinion must melt on
beholding her at swordplay Her cuts,
thrusts, parties and guards are
achieved with a cleancut force that
arouses admiration even among those
who don't fancy that sort of thing for
women. Yet there is nothing of the ag-
gressive athlete about Miss Langham.
She is one of the demurest maidens in
society, and doubtless one of these days
will consent to become the clinging vine
about some stalwart oak.
Another sister of the baroness-Vis-
countess de Faramond, whose hand
some husband is naval attache
Of the French embassy = is a
swordswoman of marked ability
She, however. eschews the foil and
broadsword, her weapon being the
rapier. with which she can disarm
many a master of fence. The Wis
countess did not take a lesson until
after her marriage. Her noble lord is
a pretty good hand with the cleaning
steel ribbon, and il was a desire to Join
him in as many of his pastimes as pos
sible that led the former Miss Langham
to study the art. She made such rapid
progress that in a comparatively short
time she was able to hold her own with
the viscount, and now she can outpoint
him in two bouts out of three. The
viscountess, like both her sisters, is es-
septially feminine. Marvellous is the
metamorphosis when she grasps her
rapier's hilt and flashes IL across her
opponents line Of vision. Then she be-
comes a creature of springs. feints and
amazing attacks that take the behold
er's breath away. Oh. these twentieth
century charmersi
Mrs. Astor was so delighted by the
success of Mr.. Smiths indoor forest
that she gave orders to her town gar
dener to line the conservatory with the
ounces and prunes. She is an original
woman, Is Society's leader, but like all
who have abundance OF originality. she
does not scorn to borrow a good idea
when clevernesS or chance presents it
to her under favorable conditions. And
her approval In matters of that sort is
no light praise. Mr.. Smith is wealthy
and eligible, and receives all the fiat
terry from manageable young women
and their mammas one naturally would
expect to see showered upon him. but
he has had few, il any. Compliments
more worth the getting than that the
multimillionaire matron paid him In
the promptness with which she deter
mined TO copy his plan of decoration.
When Mrs. Astor adopts an innovation
il ceases to be one.
Miss Violet Cruger is doing her best
To revive the fashions that followed
Frances stormiest period, but, instead
of sticking to the costume of the Mer-
veilleuses exclusively, she blends it
with that of the Incroyables. She was
seen in the Avenue lately in a castor
broadcloth street gown that combined
the two styles admirably. 1t was a
double breasted princess affair. with
big velvet buttons down the front of
the same shade as the material The
most striking part of the frock. how
ever, lay in the collar and revers. both
OF which were of Incroyable cut. Pale
castor bengaline was used in ms<ine
the revers, and they were covered with
cream lace. Silver embroidery added a
piquant touch to the lace. Another
novelty was in the buttoning of the
sleeves on their upper sides.
Japanese trees and shrubs have grown
greatly in popularity for ballroom dec
orations the present season. and the
lavish use Silent" Smith made OF them
for his housewarIning recently NAV be
expected to increase their fashionable
ness. Most admired of all the artistic
arboreal novelties from the land OF thu