Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-12-08
NOTED SOCIAL QUEEN,
Side Lights on the Career of Mrs.
William Astor.
INSTANCE OF HER KINDNESS.

INSTANCE OF HER KINDNESS.
Former New York Society Leaders
Timely Generosity to Some Work.
men-How She Rebuked ain English
Officer--Tribute to Her Social Leaf
ership.
Mrs. William Astor, for many years
the acknowledged leader of New York
society, sat one day in window Of
her Fifth avenue mansion watching a
gang of men who were eXcavating a
ditch i'll 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
days of the previous week and, calling
her butler, sent him to bring the fore
dering what could be the matter, the
foreman was ushered into the presence
Of Mrs Aston. 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-
planned that the men must be wearied
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
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. 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
Crimmins. One man who after receiv-
Ing his dollar again took his place in
line and attempted to pass along a
second time was discharged by the
foreman.
Mrs. Aston, the head Of the Aston
family. attended during her European
tour a garden party in the English
midlands.
Mrs. Astor's dignity has been likened
to that Of u 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, Does smoking incom-
mode you, MADAME?
II don't know really" Mrs. Aston an
swered. NO gentleman has ever
smoked in my presence"
Amiable and gentle in disposition,
Mrs. Astor has been devoid of the as
persed feline traits one is apt to asso-
c1ate 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 unseltishness
| 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
Aston 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 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 all 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 1t 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 it a
prominent place. Having 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 recognize ability and worth
and give to it advice and assistance
above all things. a true and loyal
friend in sunshine or shower"
Nine O'Clock was Mrs. Astor's stipu.
lated time for arriving at the opera
house. Mrs. Aston 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.
tttude never changed. Men came in
droves to bid her good evening.
MeNico's Cartridge Factory.