The Washington herald., 1906-12-13

Mrs. William Astor, the greatest and
last of the supreme leaders of New York
society, never again viii sit upon her
throne. says the Chicago Chronicles New
York correspondence. The scepter and the
crown are still hers. They will remain
with her 10 the end. but the fingers that
grasp the scepter are sadly. tremulously
irresolute. The head is too tired TO bear
the burden of the crown.
There will be no Astor ball this season.
There cannot be, for Mrs. Astor viii not
be able 10 entertain. Society significantly
and regretfully remarked her absence at
the opening night of the opera at ne Met
ropolitan. In her place sat a vicegerent,
her daughter, Mrs. Orme Wilson. So the
whispers ran from box to box around
the opera house that what had been
feared by her friends and tiiscreetly hint
ed at In boudoirs and over teacups was
true.
Mrs. Astor was brought to her town
house at $40 Fifth avenue, two months
ago. Previously she had been in Newport
whittier she was taken from Boston after
an illness that Frustrated her at the
Hotel Somerset and which aroused the
keenest apprehensions Of her family.
All of her Ife-she is now nearly seven
ty-nine-Mrs. Astor had been remarked
for her polse, her excellence sense, and her
repressive inclinations. None Of the oddi-
ties of manner which usually presage the
advance Of age marred her demeanOr.
But last summer there was a change
AS much as her strength would permit
she plunged into the gayeties OF the VaTl-
Gus resorts which she visited. This was
startling, for Mrs. AstoT for years had
Stunned such things. Her high spirits
were noticeably at variance with her
customary placidity. She ranged the
fashionable shops Of London and Paris,
buying lavishly Of the beautiful garments
which were laid out for her inspection
She talked of a social season in New
York this winter which should be the
crowning triumph of her career.
L am growing younger and younger
every day" she frequently told friends
Would you be surprised il I should
marry again?'
None of the toilets which she chose was
suitable for an elderly woman. They
were Of brilliant hues and radiant ma
terials, the most daring conceptions of
the Partisan modistes. Most of the gowns
were such as would be worn by girl of
twenty.
Sudden Collapse.
With them she ordered coquettish little
hats, confections such as she had never
cared for previously. TrunkfuI after trunk |
ful Of these fripperies. representing a |
great sum, We're examined by the customs |
inspectors at Boston.
An ominous collapse sent her to bed al |
most as soon as she gained the shelter |
of the Hotel Somerset. Specialists were
sent for, among them being DR. Austin |
Flint of this city. Their verdict at that |
time has been fully confirmed by her /
state since she came 10 New York IN /
October. Other alienists and physicians /
learned in diagnosing ana coping with /
the maladies and iufirmities Of the old 4
have watched her constantly. Their opin- /
IONS coincide with the judgment Of DR.. |
Flint
Among her medical attendants besides 1
DR., Flint, are his son, Austin Flint. jT.. /
who virtually lives in the Astor mansioni |
DR.. Allan MacLean Hamilton. and Dr. /
Charles r. Dana Their orders are car |
ried out by the three of the best nurses /
who could be obtained
Mrs Astor is never alone for an in 4
slant, day or night. Dictated by the cir /
cumstances, a menage Of extraordinary /
character has been created in the Astor /
mansion. It revolves about Mrs Astor |
and moods. Her old and faithful ser
wants are important elements in Il. Acting 4
under orders from Mrs. Astors children /
Colonel John Jacob AstOr, whose man |
sion adjOins that Of his mother; Mrs |
Orme Wilson, and Mrs. Haig-the ser /
wants exert themselves TO humor her /
eccentricities and obey her orders 10 the |
letter, so far as they may be for her /
welfare. She is under no physical re- /
straint, but there are no regular hours |
for service in the Astor mansion.
Night after night the watchman in front /
sees the light flash up in the drawing /
rooms, the conservatory, the guest cham /
bers. the ballroom. wherever Mrs. Astor /
directs. Faint strains Of music will creep /
through the massive doors and double /
windows. In her restlessness she often 1
Graves music. Not infrequently a bTOugh- /
am will dash UP 20 the pOTte-cOCheTe with /
a yawning coachman and footman on the /
box The portal viii swing open. perhaps, /
and slim figure wrapped in furs and /
sustained by two serving men, viii come /
10 the threshold.
A shake of the head and the little group /
vanishes inside. A fOOtman waves to the /
coaehman and the carriage returns to the /
stables. Mrs. AstOr has been persuaded /
not to set out in the dead Of night to pay
a round OF calls
Mrs. Astor IS possessed of the idea that
she is still at the zenith of her power and |
glory as leader OF society. she sits at her
desk and with her secretary or companion
plans state dinners, grand balls. little sup
per parties after the opera. They indulge |
her to the top Of her bent. The engraved
cards. with line blank for the date, are
brought out, names of the guests whom
She designate are written in. and the en-
vslopes are addressed.
She checks of the list. QuerulOusly she
debates upon the eligibility Of this woman
or that man. Then the bundles OF invita-
tons are borne from the room on a silver
salver by a servant and burned in the fur
aace. It does not matter 70 Mrs. Astor.
She forgets.
Mind Acts Inversely.
In the daytime she drives, not often. but
whenever she cannot be persuaded TO re-
main indoors. It is typical of her condi-
ion that she regards persons and OBJ
iects inversely. This renders her amen
lble to control by taking a contrary posi-
ton. If It is not thought best to permit
her to drive, DR.. Flint, the nurse, Col.
Astor or one of her servants will suggest
hat she go out in the carriage. Mrs.