The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-23
How Distinguished Newport and
Ney York Family, Relatives of the
Vanderbilts, Haze Been Real
Actors in Strange Domestic
Tragedy Quite as Surprising as
Anything IN Mouing Picture Dramas

Titan hair, who was still in the
nursery. AS this girl, Ellen, grew
up, her mother planned to marry
her to a man OF great wealth and
prominence in the society into
which her son had married. or all
the eligibles she selected Alfred
Gwynne Vanderbilt. the youth who
had been made the head Of the Van
derbilt family. And this brings us 10
the opening scene of this real-life
drama.
This scene was set in the beauti-
full Newport mansion belonging to
Mrs. Francis French, and in The
Breakers, the magnificent home Of
the Vanderbilts. In her campaign to
win q Vanderbilt for her son-in-la law
Mrs. French was aided by her daugh.
ter, Lady Cheylesmore; her son
Amos and his wife, and, of course
by Ellen, now called Elsie by hel
own request.
Opposed to them were Mrs. Van
derbilt, Mrs, Harry Payne Whitney
and Reginald. Alfred was in way
a non-combatant. The senior. Mrs
Vanderbilt had other plans for hel
son, but Elsie and Alfred were ir
love, and Mrs. French wanted the
match, and the Vanderbilts were
hnafan VTh{c ~, q rr;,oo ra,I;uol NJ.
French's greatest ambition. The
wedding was the most talked-of af
fair Of the year, and everything
promised we'll for the future.
But with this scene ended, a new
development arose. Amos French
became infected more deeply with
his mothers social ambitions, and he
began to build castles in the air
He was aided by his mother and his
sister, Mrs. Vanderbilt. There was
a pretty girl growing up in the
French household, Pauline, the old
est child. She had attended her
Aunt Elsie as a bridesmaid, and her
head was filled with visions of d
future husband who should be as
rich and as important as Uncle AL
fred. Her Prince Charming must be
of hign social standing, for at that
period the Trenches could not afford
to marry into any but the best social
circles.
When Polly was eighteen Aunt
Elsie gave wonderful coming-out
ball for her, and during that year
showered her with gifts and pleas
ures. All this was done because
Aunt Elsie intended to marry her
satisfactorily. The husband chosen
for Polly must be of good family,
and have fortune which would al.
low her to have her Winter in town
and her Summer in Newport.
rms act centres around Mrs. AL.
1red Vanderbilt's superb house in
Newport, and her equally superb
town house, with occasional excur.
sions In the steam yacht, and In
the Vanderbilt private car to AL
Ired's beautiful Adirondack Camp.
Dances, cruises on Aunt Elsie's
yacht, trips to Europe with Aunt
Elsie, house parties at Oakland
Farm and Camp Sycamore filed
NAG
her own motor cars, her own maids,
everything that wealth could give,
And, of course she must marry as
Aunt Elsie and Father French de.
creed.
Amos French. socially ambitious
father. was proud of his Oldest
daughter and was just as sure as
his sister was that Polly should
make a good marriage When
therefore, young Sam Wagstaff, the
son of Colonel Alfred Wagstaff, ap
peared as her suitor he was &C
cepted. Great delight on all sides
was expressed because he was. sc
suitable" and be
cause Polly was
D. wise and virtuous
A enough to follow
PEW tt he teachings O
gsssss her worldly wise
aas Gr n IN h g
& French, of Aun
a%S Elsie, and OF he
s&ES father.
EASAA Up to the tim,
ExgH& of this marriage
SsksA which took place
~ years ago. M
.s4AS ~ domestic dis core
sSsss had been notice
ssSMa able in the French
Isl household. Mrs
e24&A French SCENE
~ perfectly satisfied
8 d With her husband:
= sssA plans for Pol Y
and, in fact, en-
couraged the good
E$ b.. looking young Wag
n staff in his courtip &
M.y he nlarriag
was celebrated il
Newport. Aunt Elsie showered hel
obedient and complainant niece Will
jewels and added a large check r.
her other contributions. In this
scene virtue was rewarded, and the
curtain rang down on most har
mon1ous and delighted fo~-' =,
Copyright 10