Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-11-12
NOTED SOCIAL QUEEN,
Side Lights on the Career Of Mrs.
William Astor.

Side Lights on the Career Of Mrs.
William Astor. Y
INSTANCE OF HER KINDNESS.
Former New York Society Leaders
Timely Generosity to Some Work.
men-How She Rebuked an English
officer-Tribute to Her Social Lead
ership.
Mrs. William Astor, for many years
the acknowledged leader Of New York
society, sat one day In a window Of
her Fifth avenue mansion watching
gang of men who were excavating a
| ditch in which to lay the pipes of the
New York Steam Heating company.
The perspiration was pouring off the
mems faces, and an exhausted look
had settled over their countenances.
She remembered that they had work
ed continuously through the warm
1
her butler, sent him to bring the fore
man of the gang. Surprised and Won
dering what could be the matter, the
| foreman was ushered into the presence
Of Mrs. Astor. To his still greater sur
prise, he was invited to form his men
in line and march them up to the front
Of the house. Mrs. Astor then ex-
| Mo i,n1 ho no I, tod
| by their continuous work in the warm
weather and said that she wished to
give them a little money to purchase
| refreshment for themselves at their
J lunch hour. The men were then form
ed in line, and as each one passed the
front steps he received dollar from
the hands of the butler. Meantime
Mrs. fAstor watched the distribution
from her window. The hundred or so
men quietly expressed their thanks as
they received the little gift. They
were employed by Park Commissioner
Crimmins. One man who after receiv-
ing his dollar again took his place in
line and attempted to pass along q
second time was discharged by the
foreman.
Mrs. Astor, the head Of the Astor
family, attended during her European
tour a garden party in the English
midlands.
Mrs Astor's dignity has been likened
to that of duchess Of the old school;
hence certain young officer should
have been wiser at the garden party
than to say to her as he took out his
cigarette case, docs smoking incom-
mode you, MADAME"
| II don't know really" Mrs. Astor an
swered. No gentleman has ever
smoked in my presence" 4.
Amiable and gentle in disposition,
Mrs. Astor has been devoid Of the as
4 persed feline traits one is apt to asso-
ciate with women Of fashion. There
was never much for her to aspire to-.
One Of fortunes children, she went into
the world equipped with wealth, brains
and breeding. She never has been
compelled to faWn upon the :loftier
woman. She avoided the humiliation,
the character destroying experience Of
pursuing social position abroad. Her
servants, who have adored her, could
talk forever about her little kindly
deeds, her consideration for others and
her unselfishness
4 In her taste she has been as simple
as the woman who used to hem her
blankets. Although her guests were
dined on the aspicked luxuries Of
France and off the world renowned
Astor gold plate, she used to go to the
other extreme. When alone she used
to lunch and dine from a small tray
4 with blue and white china Of average
! quality. One of her favorite foods has
! been rice pudding, and broiled chops
and spring chicken have been the back
bones of her repasts.
Il In speaking Of the qualifications for
. the leadership of society that have
, been possessed by Mrs. Astor. Ward
I McAllister once said that she had
i "good Judgment and great power Of
y analysis of men and women, thor
|, ough knowledge Of all their surround.
j ings, a just appreciation Of the rights
= Of others and, coming herself from an
. old colonial family, good apprecia
. ton of the value Of ancestry, always
: keeping 1t near her and bringing 1t II
in all social matters, but also under
!. standing the Importance and power
! Of the new element, recognizing it and
fairly and generously awarding to 1t {
prominent place. Having great for
Z tune. she had the ability to conceive
and carry out social projects, and fhi.
= she had done always with success, eve
ready to recognize ability and worth
7 and give to it advice and assistance
I above all things, a true and loya
: friend In sunshine or shower"
e Nine o'clock was Mrs Astor's stipu
e lated time for arriving at the oper'
! house. Mrs. Astor never entered he
q box when the auditorium was lighted
She waited for the lights to be low
n cred and then took her place SO silent
It " that no one saw her. She was al
It ways assisted by some OF her guests
- Once In her scarlet velvet chair, sh
4 threw back her shoulders proudly
Is Her carriage was as erect as any we
In III, bny r,av, al