The Washington herald., 1907-12-22
HER FACE ON NEW COIN
MARY CUNNINGHAM SEEKS POSITION
AS WAITRESS.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, But
recently the model for the design Of the
woman whose features are portrayed on
the new SO gold coins and to-day search
ing for employment as waitress In q
Boston ''beanery." the name Ct Mary
Cunningham is not unknown 70 the Amer
lean people. She is the CHEEKY. bright
faced. honest Irish lass whom the late
famous sculptor. Augustus Saint-Gaudens,
himself Of Irish birth, selected as model
for the head Of the Goddess Of Liberty
which is 10 appear on the new 1-cent and
SO gold pieces.
Mr.. Saint-GauGens was commissioned by
the government as long as two years ago
TO prepare designs for the contemplated
new coin issue. Mary Cunningham was
a waitress in his family when he selected
her as the long-sought-for model. but Il
was only recently that her identity In
this connection was revealed.
Mr.. Saint-Gaudens, one of the most
clever sculptors Of modern times died at
his home. at Cornish, n. H, near Wind
sor. Vt. last August. lamented by all
who admire art. For a long time pre-
viously unusual precautions had been
taken by the famous sculptor and mem
bers Of his family 20 prevent others than
relatives or immediate friends of the fam
lily from even seeing. much less talking
to. the handsome Irish girl. This, through
disinclination which amounted almost
10 mania, to risk the chance Of the girls
features being photographed for news
paper or magazine reproduction
Mary rs a Waitress.
With the passing OF Mr.. Saint-Gaudens.
however. and the girls usefulness as a
model for American money having de-
parted. interest in Mary Cunningham
waned in the Saint-Gaudens household,
and less than three months after the
death Of the noted sculptor the young
waitress was notified that her services
were no longer required. She left the
Saint-Gaudens house at once and return
| ed 10 Boston. Advices received from
there last week announce that Mary is
seeking position as waitress in a res
taurant. Well may il be said of her that
her face is her fortune" and doubtless
| when her identity becomes known the
| restaurateurs of the city of culture anC
| light viii risk their Individual and col
| lective necks in the race TO engage hel
| services.
| The Augustus Saint GaudenS home J.
in that long strung out and rambling
Psettlement known as Cornish. n. II.
which commences Immediately across tn,
Connecticut River from Windsor, VT
and which straggles along the valley 70
three or four miles, the summer or per
manent homes, as the case may be- o
moderately well-off or wealthy residents
of New York, Boston. or elsewhere ap
pearing at distances of a quarter or hal
| a mile.
The house once occupied by the sculp
tor and now tenanted only by his widow
and four or FIVE servants, IS a two-stor.
mansion of the colonial style, and Oc
cupies an eminence from which a gloriou
view of the Connecticut River far below
the peaceful valley. and the town o
Windsor may be seen in the middle fore
ground, and in the distance the grant
hills Of the Green Mountain State.
1t was here that Mary Cunningham
came two years ago. fresh from a high
class employment agency in Boston, Mrs
Saint Gaudens having written there for
waitress and chambermaid
The girl, who is now twenty-six year
of age. had arrived but short time be