, 1860-05-11
Aaron Burr in 1901.


To add to his good fortune, his pecunia
ry prospects frightened on his accession tC
Office. New York was then city Of G5,
900 inhabitants, and was advancing will
great rnpidity. Theodosia herself remarks
in one Of her letters, that 'in ten or twenty
years, hundred and thirty acres of land
on New York Island will become princi
pality." COL Burr owned large tract o
land about Richmond Hill. His ground,
extended to the North River, and nearer
the city there was piece Of water upon his
estate which elderly inhabitants may still
remember as the favorite skating place OIL
their bOyhood. 1t was called " Burr's
Pond7 years after it ceased to be his, down
even to the time when it was filed in, aud
built over The progress Of the city raised
the value Of all the land on the island, and
particularly of that which, like Richmond
Hill. lay within half an hours ride OF the
city. About this time Colonel Burr was
much occupied with negotiating with Mr.
John Jacob Astor for the sale of part oi
bis Richmond Hill estate. At length Mr.
AstOr bought all but the mansion and a
few acres around it, for the sum Of one
hundred and forty thousand dollars. The
bargain, for some reason, was afterwards
cancelled. But, finally the sale was com
completed, and Colonel Burr was, for the
time, delivered from his pecuniary embar-
rassments. He even had thoughts Of buy.
ing another estate further up the island. 1t
is evident that his syle Of living was such
as was then supposed to become an elevated
station. Half q dozen horses, q town
house aud o country house, a numerous
retinue Of servants, and French cook,
were among the sumptuosties Of his estab-
lshment jerome Bonaparte, then on the
eve Of his marriage with Miss Patterson,
was entertained at dinner and at breakfast
BY the Vice President, who invited large
companies to meet the future monarch, in
whose ante-chambers Burr was one day, to
kick his heels, supplicant for an audi
enee.
Richmond Hill was without mistress.
In these fortunate years IL was that Colonel
Burr paid bis court to one Of the loveliest
Of Philadelphia's ever lovely bellies, and had
the narrowest escape from second mar
riage.
They met, "'twas in a crowdS and each
was smitten with the others pleasant quail.
tiles. Again, be saw her at her fathers
table, where bis attentions were equally
pointed and welcome. A tete-a-tete, which
be sought was interrupted by the entrance
Of Ls pere, but her manner seemed to beckon
him on. He was almost in love. Sum.
moning her father to his apartments by
note, and the old gentleman appearing
within the hour, the enamored one came to
the point with promptness and selfpos
session impossible in lover uuder forty.
" Is Celeste engaged 7"
She is net"
Would it be agreeable to her parents
If Colonel Burr should make ovcrtures for
her hand 7"
1t would be most agreeable"
The lady had gone to spend some days
six miles into the country, and thither her
lover rides the next morning, with an eager
but composed minds Celeste enters the
drawing room, though he had not asked
especially for her. Conversation ensues.-
She is all wit and gayeLy; more charming
than ever, the lover thinks. He tries tC
turn the conversation to the subject nearest
to his heart; but she, with the good hu
mored graceful malice Of lovely woman, de
feats bis endeavors, and so at last, quite
captivated, be takes his leave.
The same hour on the following morning
finds him once more teLe-d-tete with the beau
tiful Celeste. Conversation again. But
this time, the great question was put TC
the surprise Of this removed lady killer
Celeste replies that she is firmly resolved
aereT to marry!
l am very sorry to hear it madam;
had promised myself great happiness, bu
cannot blame your determination"
She replied No; certainly, sir, yol
cannot; for recollect to have heard yol
express surprise that any woman shoul,
marry, and you gave such reasons, an,
with so much eloquence, as made an indel
bic Impression on my mind.
The disappointed swain received the re
6nf with perfect courtesy and good humoI
They parted the best friends.
Have you any commands to town, mad
am I wish you good morning"
Two days passed. Then a note fror
celeste surprised the rejected, informing
hlm that she was in town for few hours
and would be glad to see him. He wa
puzzled, and hastened to her for a solution
The interview lasted two hours, in tn
course of which the tender subject wa