The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1914-11-19
An Episode Of
New York Society
BY RUTH GRAHAM

When John Kenworthy went to New
York he had made a big fortune in
railroads. He had cleaned up some
fifteen or twenty millions and was a
director in many roads. He was thirty
FIVE years old when he struck the me-
tropolis, and it occurred to him that he
would like to see society. Society Is
not to be seen without ticket Of ad.
mission any more than theatrical
performance. Kenworthy, remember
ing that the players of Vanity Fair
must have big salaries and that such
salaries must be contributed by those
who are able to pay. concluded to in
vest small quantum Of his income in
the show.
An officer Of one of the companies in
which Kenworthy was interested who
knew New York well. being applied to
for information. gave it thus:
There are both rich and poor in the
charmed circle. The poor usually hold
their right Of entrance by Inheritance;
the rich have bought their way in.
There are many poor families that II
they could sell their social birthright
would reap fortune by the transac-
ton. They can't do that, and many Of
them would not do it if they could.
But they can help the outsiders to get
inside for consideration and will do
so provided they have confidence in
the discretion Of the outsider"
Il see." said Kenworthy. How
would such transaction be managed"
II will introduce you to young man
whose family has been in the swim
for $50 years. He will take charge of
your entry into society if it is intimat-
ed that he will be given a perfunctory
position at salary of $4,000 year In
the office of one Of your railroads.
keeper Of the securities, with deputies
to guard them"
kenworthy was introduced to George
de ROtter, whose ancestors came to
New York in 1886 and opened a dye
house. De Rotter was appointed sixth
vice president Of railroad, with du-
ties requiring his attention once q
week for two hours. His salary was
to be $4,000 a year for at least one
year. He was to lift Mr.. Kenworthy
up the steps-one step at time-of
the temple Of fashion.
One evening De Rotter announced to
Mrs. de Lawney that he was arrang-
ing dinner for gentleman from the
west and asked permission to put her
name and that Of her daughter Mar
guerite on the list Of invited guests.
Mrs. de Lawney graciously accepted,
and when De Rotter had gone she
found thousand dollar bill between
the leaves Of book he had been read
ing while waiting for her to come
down to receive him.
This was not the first such transac-
ton that had taken place between
them. But Marguerite high bred
and truly refined scion of good old
stock, was not cognizant Of them. She
knew the family finances were low and
wondered how her mother managed to
keep their heads above the surface.
Mr.. de Rotter, though he relied on the
discretion of his employer, thought it
worth while to tell him that If Mar
guerite de Lawney should hear that
she had been paid to attend his enter
tainment it would produce a commo
ton.
This statement made an impression
on Kenw0rthy. He desired to buy per.
sons, but persons who were not to be
purchased had for him an indescriba-
BILE charm. He directed De Rotter to
assign Miss de Lawney to the host for
dinner companion and when the af-
fair came off was much struck with
the lady. Many of those who knew
that they were hired to be present at
his functions, considering that they
had done their part in accepting his
invitation, gave him an icy shoulder.
Here was one who supposed that she
was being entertained as guest, one
whose bearing showed conclusively
that she was to the manner born. who
smiled on him. Kenworthy passed the
happiest evening of his life, and it
seemed that Miss de Lawney had real
~ enjoyed herself. If so she was the
only one present except the host who
had.
De Rotter was skillful conductor,
and Kenworthy was discreet. He
knew that his guests were paid to at
tend his functions, and they-except-
ing Miss de I.awney-knew that they
were paid. Kenworthy continued his
attentions to the young lady and in
time proposed. So great was her pain
at refusing him that be really felt
sorry for her.
Having seen all he wished to see of
New York society, he packed up his
traps to 60 back to the west. Before
leaving he wrote note to De Rotter
especially eniOining on him, as he val