Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-11
JUST GOSSIP ABOUT PEOPLE
Nancy lynne Speaks of the Death of Mr. John RodneyShe
Tells of the Bubbles Be Seen the Tictory Ball
Thursday Nght-Tea for Miss Allen

-TvHE death few days ago in Whining
4 ton of Mr.. John NJ c. Rodney, the old
est living male descendant of the Rodney
line in America (of which Caesar Rodney,
signer of the Declaration of Independence,
was the most distinguished member), has
interest for a number of Philadelphians,
for, although the Rodneys have always
been associated with the history of Della
ware, they have prominent linsfoll in this
city.
The Parvins, some of the younger gen.
GRAFTON of Merricks, Wharton Goodman,
Lieutenant Rodney Goodman, L. s. A.. and
Edward Robins, recording secretary Of the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania and OF
the University Of Pennsylvania are all
related to the Rodneys, and the late John
IN. c. Rodney and Mr.. Robins are both
direct descendants Of General Thomas Rod.
ney, the brother of Caesar Rodney. The
late Miss Louisa Rodney, who lived for
many years in Germantown, was another
I connection. and will be remembered by the
older generation of Philadelphia society.
as will also Mrs. Charles Godfrey Leland,
tho daughter of Rodney Fisher grand
nephew of Caesar Rodney whom Thacke-
ray enthusiastically called "the prettiest
woman in America"
An amusing story is told, by the way, OF
Miss Louise Rodney's introduction to Colo
mel Roosevelt when he was President 'Tm
delighted to meet descendant Of Caesar
Rodney" said he, grasping her hand Miss
Rodney said, however, that she was not a
direct descendant, as Caesar Rodney was a
bachelor.
r SUPPOSE you know that Hope Allen is
on here, staying with Mrs. Norton
Downs. Bessie Downs Evans gave tea for
her yesterday afternoon at the Lenox,
where she is spending the winter with her
mother Hope is the daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Benjamin Allen and lives usually in
Colorado. Mrs. Allen was Miss Maria Nc
Kean, you know, a sister of Mrs. Downs
and Of Mr.. Tom and Mr.. Henry Mexican.
Hope is very attractive and has been
here a number of times. She came for
visit the year Bessie came out If am not
mistaken. Phoebe, the second Downs girl,
was never introduced, because when it
came time for her debut the war was on
and then she became engaged to young Ser
geant, and so there will be no debut for her
except that into matrimony. However,
there's another sister to make her debut.
Sarah, and If the wee bird has told me
rightly she will be introduced next Decem-
ber. OF course the bird could not be
exactly right, because how could people
plan so far ahead? But it told me it was
sure that there was to be big party given
for Sarah next New Years eve.
Hope will stay on for some time more
before returning to Colorado.
TNHERE's no doubt about it. this Victory
L Ball is going to be something entirely
new and different. I've heard some gossip
about the decorations. which I'll pass on to
you. In the first place, Mr.. John Barrett.
director general Of the Pan.American
Union, incidentally the only international
officer in the United States. has lent the
committee four complete sets of Pan.Amer-
lean flags, to be used in decorating the
proscenium arch and the boxes. These
flags represent the twenty-one American
republics, and there will be some that you
never saw before-Haiti, for instance,
Then there are several boxes allotted to
foreign and American officers, and as they
win wear their dress uniforms, that In itself
will make the house brilliant. and Of course
almost everybody will be in costume. too.
And then the balloons-you know how
the balloons came about, of course? About
the controversy. wine or no wine. at the
last meeting Of the committee? How every
thing was going smoothly until Mr. Sidney
Keith suggested that champagne punch be
served with supper? The idea was greeted
with murmurs of approval until a certain
well-known matron asked how that would
affect men in uniform.
whereupon another well-lsnown person
remarked with an air Of fnality that this
is a social affair."" But the conscientious
4 objectress insisted on knowing the legal
aspect of the case. contending that it would
be selling liquor to men in uniform. So,
Mr.. Charlton Yarnall called up Mr.. George
Wharton Pepper and told him about IL.
Mr.. Pepper, after hearing it all through,
declined to give snap judgment.
whereupon one woman wanted to know
why they couldn't do things as they do in
New York, while another of the dry faction
held that If a man in uniform only paid
half price for his ticket it didn't entitle
him to a drink. And then there was an
absolute deadlock. and the the meeting had
gone on long after the usual period and
4 some of the cooler ones were beginning to
wonder If they would get home in time for
dinner that night.
Finally they called up Mr.. Pepper again
and he came over to the meeting, and,
after hearing the arg ument again, decided
e that in view of the fact that the Victory
Ball Committee was not going to be held
to the usual tax Of 10 per cent on the tick
ets 1t would be ungracious to take advan-
tage of the government by serving even
California champage punch diluted with
schuylkill; and that the public as whole.
who are to be appealed to for funds for the
Z Temple Of Victory. would probably be