Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-07

Mrs, William Aston, for many years
the acknowledged leader of New. York
society, sat one day in 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 s'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
days of the previous week and, calling
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 tue house. Mrs. Astor then ex-
planned that the men must be wCariesl
by their continuous work in The warm
weather and said that she wished to
give them little money TO purchase
refreshment for themselves at their
iuEN II ilcui. Ie lhCu NtIc llpll
ed In line, ana as each one passed the
front steps he received q dollar from
the hands of the butler. Meantime
Mrs. Astor 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
('rin1p1inS 10
ing his dollar again took his place in
line and attempted TO pass along Il
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
midllnds
Mrs. .istor's dignity has been likencd
to that of DUCHESS of the old school:
hence a certain young officer should
have been wiser at the garden party
than to say to her as he took out his
cigarette case, Does smoking incom-
mode you, madam"
II don't know really" Mrs. Astor an
swcred. NO gentleman has ever
smoked in my presence"
Amiablc and gentle in disposition
Mrs. Astor las 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 fawu 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.
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 eff the world renowned
Astor gold plate. she used to go to the
other extreme. When alone she used
to lunch and dine from small tray
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 rcpasts.
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 ard women. 4 thor
Ougb knowledge of all their surround
ings, a just appreciation of the rights
OF others and. coming herself from ar
old colonial family. good apprecia
ton of the value of ancestry. always
keeping it near her and bringing it IL
in all social matters. but also under
standing the Importance and power
of the new clement. recognizing it anC
fairly and generously awarding to it ;