Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-21
DOOR POSTS" THING OF PAST
tAperican Women Force All Guests to
Learn 10 Dance.
ENGLISH FORM CLUB FOR sNOBs
Hrs. John Jacob Astor Engages
House Number Thirteen and
Many Accidents BefhIl
the Establishment.

LONDON, June @-(special)-American
Eomen. notably those most original OF
tostesses, Miss Van wart. Lady Bateman
nd Cora Lady Stafford are responsible for
be social triumph OK the daveing man this
feasons BY mutual consent, tire invitations
hey have sent out TO men have had in
be corner, kindly do not come unless
fou can dance" This has had the desired
Eject. The men come and dance for all
hey are worth.
'"what on earth has become OF all the
Moor pillars" inquired Mrs. John Jacob
Btor Of Mrs. Reid the other night at a
hall HOP" at the embassy. other years
be non-dancing man who invariably hung
Pound the entrance used TO be called the
door-pillars." Mrs. Reid explained that
few OF her compatriots had sounded the
cath knell OF the door supports"
Up to last April men who never per-
formed a step acquired invitations to
aances. II bridge was being played they
8pent their time at the table. not for
letting 70 put in an appearance in the sup
per room. These men are now religlously
endeovcring to learn how to trip the light
'artastie. A fashionable dancing mistress
bid me the other day that she was mum
lated with middle-aged pupils of the male
hne.
ut is the funniest thing in the world"
he said, ITO see them learning the posi-
tions' and their appearance is quite anus
lng."
A Dangerous ~ChaperOB.
Miss Van wart is surely a dangerous
chaperon for two girls even as good looking
rs the Misses Wentworth. She seems very
proud Of them and they are with her
everywhere. interchangeable she is in trying
TO give them a good time. but l noticed at
her own dances at the Ritz that crowds
men were far keener on talking to the
4 hostess than TO her two charges. She is a
charming looking woman and her gowns
nd Jewels are the last word In magnifi-
ence. Gilded youths. middle-aged, cour-
\ teous. venerable staf~s~~-n all have a try
nt winning her. 4 20 seems to stand
Hem all off successfully.
An ultra-aristocratic club Is in process of
Formation. The first essential for member
bhip Is that a coat of arms shall have been
n the family for a hundred years. This
Is to ensure that no nouveaux riches may
enter. All members will have a special
arrest and a Characteristic cockade and
triklng livery with which to provide their
Nservant9. Those interested are endeavor-
Ing to induce the duke OF Norfolk to be
President, but as he Is the most ultra
exclusive peer in England II seems doubt
ful that they will succeed. The ommitte
has under consideration the premises oc-
cupied by tho Automobile club in pic
cadilly. that popular institution having
now taken up its quarters at the old war
offices. which has been made quite paiatial
for tho automobiles. The snobs also
propose to have n rural resort run on the
lines Of RanaIanh md IIurltput,, xybn..
the members can play polo and practice
fencing. The duke Of Roxburghe is said
TO be greatly interested In the new VEN
ture.
Reigate Priory. which Mr., and Mrs. John
Ford have secured. IL a delightful spot
which was frequently visited by the king
In the days when It was rented by the
late Captain Ronald and Mrs, GreviIle.
The house is Of the Queen Anne period and
is built on the site of an ancient Augustin-
ian monastery. II is full of historic
things, notably the exquisite chimney piece
from Henry Wits palace Of Nonsuch. Mr..
Van Alan has long wanted the possess
this work Of art, but Lady Henry Somer-
set, who owns the Priory has always re-
fused to sell 1t Notwithstanding the most
lavish offers OF the eX-American million
aire.
The park connected with Reigate Priory,
r. one OF the most beautiful In England.
There is a great oak tree under which
Queen Anne had r~efreshmcnt. so immense
IL the tree that a tea table which is
reached by a narrow iron staircase is To-
Gated among the branches. while around
aare placed seats. The stairs and furniture
hre painted red. so that a picturesque ef-
Vfect Is achieved.
John Ford continues extremely delicate.
WIic mile Nbn aI1nr o,,rbta % M and
Mrs. Cavendish Bentinck. has been TO all
lntents and purposes but a nurse since her
marriage. She never complains and never
Jeeks sympathy. Her family moved heaven
= and earth in the first Instance to break
OF her engagement. but she pluckily refused
10 do so and said right through she was
prepared to take the consequences.
Number I3 Brook street.
Ever since Mrs. John Jacob Astor took
10 Brook street a series of small disasters
have overtaken her, One morning whit,
coming downstairs she slipped and fell
and though not seriously hurt. she wal
compelled to stay I'm the house for
week. A little later. as her maid was dress
Ing her she upset a spirit lamp ard Sc
Mrs Astor's snowy locks on fire. TIL,
flames were. however, happily eXtinguishe,
before serious danger resulted. In tn
kitcnen q large portion or the cellnB lei
just as the cook was serving up the din
ner and at least one course had to b.
omitted. the debris having fallen into II
while quantities OF the crockery wer,
broken. Mrs. Aston, who is not IL tn
least superstitious, insists, that these ia
talities are purely condolences and say
she Is charmed with the house.
Most people were surprised TO find
woman as wealthy as Mrs. Grosvenor, VIII
was before her marriage Florence Padel
ford. taking a house In Gloucester Place
where every other establishment is a board
ing house. II was once a smart quartz
and the houses are very large and com
modious. and Il Is comparatively centra
but lately all the best people have flow
from the Eeighborhood. as they always d
when Il becomes known that the "payin
guests" resides close by. Gloucester Plac
= IS one OF the streets which In a few year