The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-04-12
correspondence Of the Journal Of Commerce.
Mrs. Gen. GRiars.--s Romantic Story.
WASHINGTON, Feb. I3. 1914,


The two most important cases now be
fore The Supreme Court, are those of III,
heirs OF Stephen Girar,l, against the cit,
OF Philadelphia, and that of Mrs. Gaines
The wife of Gen. Gaines, who has Ion,
and earnestly labored for her righllul pos
session.
The history Of Mrs. Gaines, were i
uniolded would be seen TO possess some
thing OF the romantic. For IA long lime
her Parenlage was concealed from her
In early life she was brought from New
Orleans TO the middle States, and for ma
ny years living in the family of a Col
Davis, near Wilmington, Del, passing
under the name of Myra DAVIS, as niece
or perhaps daughter Of this man, who
was believed to have possession of some
portion OF her properly. As her mind
uniolded with the growth Of her person,
Myra naturally became inquisitive on the
subject of her lineage. expectations, &C.,
but obtained little satisfaction from her
reputed uncle or father. Davis, howev-
err, sent her to the best schools, that she
might receive finished education, where
she learned French, drawing, &c. Arri-
we'd a, womanhood, with sprigh,!y
mind, good person, and very frank. az
iecllonate and coniding disposition, Myra
became an object Of interest to those of
The other sex, who are not insensble to
the charms of the more tender portion of
our race. Probably the air of mystery
that surrounded her, did not diminish thai,
interest.
mere was one young man in paricu-
lar, who was smltlen with her charms
Mr.. Whitney, son of Gen. Whitney, cf
your State, lawyer by profession, an
amiable and excellent young man, and in
the estimation of Miss Davis, TO be pre-
ierred before all others to a place in her
affections. TO his proposals for union,
Miss ID. assenled, with lrankness Which
presented strong contrast to the feelings
Of her uncle. lie was violently opposed
to 1t, without, it is believed, assigning a
satisfactory reason. Every obstacle,
however, thrown in the path of the low
ers, served only TO strengthen their mu-
tual attachment. Miss d. fled the house
of her uncle, took refuge in seclusion
which he in Vain endeavored to pcne-
tra,e, awaited with maden's modesty
and lovers anxiety the arrival Of her
belrolhed-lor lovers will exchange pledg-
es, though it be through stone walls or
over tempes,uous waves-made a grand
mistake IN meeting another gentleman of
the name of Whitney, who happened To
arrive at certain place in a train of cars,
in which at the same hour she expected
the real Whitney-but at length, after
the course of true love had run with a
ronghness to which their young hearts
had been strangers, they were happily
and irlnmphan!ly married.
Mr.. and Mrs. Whitney went to New
Orleans, the seat of some millions worth
OF property which she claimed as her
own, and which she contends is rraudu-
lenlly withheld from her. Mr.. Whitney
there investigated the matter with unlr-
ing diligence, me, with usual obstinate
resistance in such cases, and was, be-
lleve, even thrown into prison. lie was
not destined either to recover the proper
fV mr. IN continuo in I(o ,,,,I ~. Ill -
bride. Mrs. Whitney became a widow,
a youthful widow, and a very sincere
nourner. In this state of womanhood.
she was approached by the gallant old
General, who sympathized so deeply
with her sorrows as to offer to take tina,
place in her affections which had been
occupied by her departed husband.
Whether thnse substantial charms in en-
peclanry had any hand in vanquishng
the heart of the old gentleman. il would
be presump,uous in any one TO determine.
without looking into the interior of his
mind, and inspecting his motives. The
frank-hearted girl, however, was under
stood to have assured the brave soldier,
in accepting his hand, that one condition
must ever be reserved. She was ALWAYS
to have the privilege of eulogizing the
character, loving The memory, and des-
can,ng on The virtues OF her first and
youthful Love nd Hbituan.--Who would
refuse such boon! OF late years the
General and his lady have been engaged
at times in travelling as the ministers of
peace and good will to men; a, times in
this claim, involving an i'm.
mense fortune. The laws DELAY has for
a long time held the result in allowance.
But AT this session of the Court it has
been argued by eminent Counsel at length
the matter is before the Judges in full
the parties are anxiousl y awaiting that
decision which is 10 make or break
But if Justice be done. there is l,,le douh,