New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1908-11-04
NOTED SOCIAL QUEEN.
Side Lights on the Career of Mrs.
William Astor.

William Astor.
INSTANCE OF HER KINDNESS.
Former New York Society Leaders
Timely Generosity to Some Work
nen-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 window Of
her Fifth avenue mansion watching
gang of men who were eXcayating
ditch in which to lay the pipes Of the
New York Steam Heating company
The perspiration was pouring off the
mems faces, and ar 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
man of the gang. Surprised and Won
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 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 a dollar from
the hands of the butler Meantime
| Mrs. Aston 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. 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 a 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
Il don't know really Mrs. Astor an
swered. mo 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
ciate with women of fashion. There
was never much for her to aspire to
One of fortunes children, she went int
the world equipped with wealth, brains
and breeding. She never has beer
compelled to fawn upon the loftie,
woman. She avoided the humiliation
the character destroying experience O.
pursuing social position abroad He
servants. who have adored her, could
talk forever about, her little k1ndl,
deeds, her consideration for others ant
her unselfshness.
In her taste she has been as simpl
as the woman who used to hem he
blankets. Although her guests Wer
dined on the aspieked luxuries O
France and off the world renowned
Astor gold plate, she used to go to tn
other extreme. When alone she uset
to lunch and dine from a small ira.
with blue and white china of averag
quality. One of her favorite foods ha
been rice pudding, and broiled chop
and spring chicken have been the back
bones of her repasts.
In speaking Of the qualifications fo
the leadership of society that hav
been possessed by Mrs. Aston, War
NIcAllister once said that she ha
"good Judgment and a great power Q
analysis of men and women, thol
ough knowledge Of all their surround
8 ings, q just appreciation of the right
, of others and, coming herself from a
) old colonial family, a good apprecis
: I1Oll OIL the value 5Sl d1ccStIy,E dlWdN
keeping it near her and bringing it i
! in all social matters, but also under
t standing the Importance and powe
Of the new element, recognizing it an
: fairly and generously awarding to it
I. prominent place. Having a great fo1
/, tune, she had the ability to conceiv
; and carry out social projects, and thi
: she had done always with success, eve
1 ready to recognize ability and wort
and give to it advice and assistance
3 above all things, a true and loys
friend in sunshine or shower
Nine o'clock was Mrs Astor's stipl
lated time for arriving at the oper
house. Mrs. Astor never entered he
box when the auditorium was lighted
) She waited for the lights to be low
cred and then took her place so silen
+ ly that no one saw her She was a
ways assisted by some of her guest
Once in her scarlet velvet chair. sh
threw back her shoulders proud,