The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-31
The Interesting Bearing Of Vincent's Mar
riage Upon the Future Of His Stepbrother,
Baby John Jacob Astor Sd, and Also
Upon the Extraordinary Social Battle
Being Waged Between His Mother and
His Young Stepmother.

to present resume OF the situation that led
up to them.
When Mrs. Aston No. decided four years
ago to seek divorce from Colonel John Jacob
Astor there was little doubt I'm her mind
that he would not marry again, or II he did
that there could be nothing occur which
would affect either her status or that OF her
sons. Colonel Astor's marriage to young
Madeleine Force was as unexpected to her
as 1t was to society at large and It set all
her plans askew. She had determined to
quit America forever, to make her home In
England and France. and to take the place
In English society that she had enjoyed for
so many years In America. To accomplish
ibis she spent vast sums OF money in out
fitting the house in Mayfair. In entertaining.
etc.
The opposition and criticism that preceded
and followed the Astor-Force wedding are
sim remembered. Fashionable society," the
class that Mrs. Astor No. had ruled re-
fused almost uniformly to recognize the new
bride of its richest and most important men,
Der She was nm object Of interest when
ever she appeared in public. but this inter-
est was inspired By rabid curiosity, and not
by friendlinesS.
Mrs. Aston No. took steps to defend what
was left to her of her position as the one
time wife of Colonel Astor. She was de-
termined to keep society from recognizing
her youthful and charming successor. The
night was not. broadly speaking one to keep
the bride from attaining society leadership
that only falls to women of matured judge
ment and of great society experience. Tho
struggle was more bitter-to keep fashion
able society from giving her rival the slight
est nod OF recognition!
me brief honeymoon was ended by the
Titanic tragedy 1t was to be expected that
Mrs. Astor No. would observe the conven.
lion OF mourning. and during that time she
could do little or nothing to establish her
position.
Then came the birth of John Jacob Aston
3d-and Mrs. Astor No. l realized that her
fight would be far greater than she had ever
expected. 1t was understood by fashionable
society that for the two years of her mourn
ing young Mrs. Astor would do little, but that
when this period elapsed the war would be-
gin in earnest.
Mrs. Astor No. knew history. She
knew that it held many instances in which
the offspring of second wife had achieved
greater position. and received greater honor
than those of the first wife.
II Is easy to appreciate the first Mrs
Astor's state of mind when the possibilities
OF the situation dawned upon her.
1T is not the present, so much, that
cents line may be supplanted by this new
baby" she is reported to have said the week
after the new baby was born.
1t was just at THE time that she approach.
ed her only son with the suggestion that for
the honor of the family he make an early
marriage.
Early marriage is our family habit-it
will be following the example set by your
father and the other men of the family il
you listen to my advice"
Marry! Why. I'm hardly OF age; l am
just beginning to take an interest In my es.
tate and In public affairs don't want to