Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-11-17
NOTED SOCIAL QUEEN, |
Side Lights on the Career of Mrs.
william Aston.
INSTANCE OF HER KINDNESS.

Former New York Society Leaders
Timely Generosity to Some Work.
men-tiow She Rebuked an English
Offieer-Tributs to Her Social Lead i.
ership.
Mrs. William Aston, for many years
the acknowledge leader Of New York
her Fifth avenue mansion watching Il
gang of men who were eXcavating a
ditch in which to lay the pipes Of the
New York Steam Heating company.
The perspiratiol was pouring off the
| mems faces, and an exhausted look
had settled over their couutenances
! She remembered that they had work
} ed continuously through the warm
days OF the previous week and, calling
her butler. sent him to bring the fore
| man Of The gang. Surprised and wOn-
! deriLg what could he the matter. the
! foreman WAS uShered into the presence
/ of Mrs. A&tUr. 20 his sill greater sur
| Prise. he was invited t. form his men
in ike ana mar> h them UP to HE frpnt
{ of the huCSe. Mr.. .'>tur then ey-
/ pl"iAed that the men nU9i be weariei
/ by their continuous work in the warm
weather and said that SHE wished to
give tGtm Il little money to pure base
refrcS'!ment fer themselves ut their
lunch hour. The men were then form
ed in line, and rs ca, h one passed the
/ front steps lie received Il dollar from
| the hands Of the butler Meantime
Mrs. Astor watched the Distribution
/ from her window. The hundred or 50
men quietly expressed their thanks as
| they received the little gift. They
were employed by Park Commissioner
Crimmins. One man who after re civ
ing his dollar again took his place in
line and attempted to pass along
second time was discharged by the
foreman.
Mrs. Aston the head of the Astor
tour 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 rs he took out his
cigarette case. docs smoking incom-
mode you, madam"
II don't know really" Mrs Astor an
swered. mo gentleman has ever
smoked in my presence"
Amiable and gentle In disposition.
Mrs. Aston has been devoid of the as
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 humilia ton.
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.
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 Injuries OF
France and off the world renowned
Aston gold plate. she used to go to the
other extreme. When alone she used
to lunch and dine from a small tray
with blue and white china Of average
quality. One of her favorite foods has
been rice pudding, and broied chops
and spring chicken have been the back
bones Of her repasts.
In speaking Of the qualifications for
the leadership Of society that have
been possessed by Mrs. Astor, Ward
McAllister once said that she had
good judgment and great power Of
analysis Of men and women, thor
ough knowledge of oil their surround
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 it near her and bringing 1t In
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 a great for
tune. she had the ability to conceive
and carry out social projects, and this
she had Done always with success. ever
ready to recosni.> sLN:ty and worth
and give to 1t advice and Assistance
above all things. true ana A:s.l
friend in sunshine or shower"
Nine O'Clock was Mrs. Astor's stipu-
lated time for arriving at the opera
house. Mrs. Astor never entered her
box when the auditorium was lighted.
She waited for the lights to be low
cred and then took her place So silent
~ that no one saw her. She WAS al
ways assisted by some Of her guests.
Once in her scarlet velvet chair, she
threw back her shoulders proudly.
Her carriage was as erect as any wo-
mans in the place, and her general at