The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-29

outline of this now notorious case, aud of the
history OF the party principally concerned. We
are now able to give, from authentic sources,
further and interesting details OF the early hls.
tory OF the Italian Bourganani lin connection
with his courtship and marriage of the wldo "
OF General Eaton), and also some new pecuniary
personal disclosures not ct made public.
Mrs General Eaton was originally a Miss Mar
garet ONeil, daughter of William O'Neil, OF
Washington. She was married at an early age
to Purser TmbeIlake-alterwards to General
Eaton-who died, leaving her wealthy fash
ionable, and celebrated widow. While residing
In Washington under these highly auspic Gus
circumstances, no longer young, but full of
talent and viyacity, sne attended, one evening"
ball given at ScoCt's Hall.
On this occasion, she was acco npanied by her
grandchildren, and they directed her notice to a
young Italian, Antonio Bourganani by name Of
rather stout build, decidedly handsome With
luXuriant curling hair, graceful, and, at first
sight, pleasing. The grandchildren conceived
hiking for this Italian, and ascertaining that he
was dancing-master by profession, expressed a
wish to attend his school. Mrs. Eaton yielded
to their DESIRE and made the necessary arrange
ments paying the advance fee, $50 per quarter,
Tor the two children, and accompanying them in
the evenings TO the dancing-masters establish
ment. At last one of her children approached
Mrs. Eaton, and stating, with that eloquence
with which youth always asks a favor for tho e
whom 1t loves, that Signor Bourganani was very
poor, and was obliged to walk a long way to
and from between his school and his humble
boardlng-house, requesting of his grandmother
ludt Sne WOulu D6 kluu enough 10 allow SlpnOr
Bourgananl permission TO take meal at her
house occasionally. To this request Mrs. Eaton,
who had been educated in the some what
naughty code OF the ancient regime, replied by
Time passed on, and Signor Bourganani opened
an additional dancing school at Alexandria,
which was lnaugurated with what is termed in
common parlance "a grand balln-that is as
grand" as his very limited finances would allow,
To this ball the grandchildren were invited
and, leceiving permission, attended, and were
the recipients OF the dancing-masters most
elaborate attentions. Especially was this the
case with the girl Emily, tnen a child of Id or
ii years OF age, who returned home delighted
with the ball, and especially cnraptured in her
Childish way with Sig. Bourganani whose praise
she never wearied of repeating to her grand
mother. From the date of this Alexandria ball
Emily became devoted alike to the person and
the Interest of Bourganani, and as she was of
spirit and determination far beyond her years
her affection took a practical shape. One after
noon Mrs. Eaton on entering her house beheld
in the hall an OLD trunk, with the initials A. b.
She inquired OF servant to whom the trunk
belonged, and was answered that Miss Emily
had superntended its arrival
Emily was sent for, and replied boldly that it
was ''Signor Bourganani's trunk, and tnat she
had told him that he might 1--we there with them
he would be no trouble, would sleep any
where; and then be was so handsome, and so
poor, and had no friends or home" The child
pleaded and argued with such earnestness that,
under protest and against her better judgment,
Bourganan was allowed to take up his abode
under the very roof that had been the special
'1ocal habitatiOn" OF General Eaton And thus
the Italians first step to fortune and to infamv
was taken. He entered his new home with
soiled linen, and shabbY.genteel dress; but Mrs.
Eaton, having finally determined to befrend
him, executed her intention with the utmost
zeal. She loaned him sum of money pur.
chased him a gentlemanly outfit, and treated
him with consideration.
He was but 20 years of age, and she regarded
him as a mere boy. The bow however had all
no TinC nt no m N nd hunn hia ina IIa
cOn menced modestly at first, was grateful quiet
and humble. and impressed his benefactresS
tavolG ~. But as months passed by he grew
more bold. Having ascertained that the chill
dren were enti ely dependent upon their grand
mother, and that the latter was q woman of
substantial wealth, being sure, as he imagined,
OF the affection OF the younger members
of the family, he conceived the idea OF mar
TgiTlg the head of the family herself The dis
parity Of age did not daunt him he desired but
her money-and what are three score years to
three-score thousands?
He proceeded steadily towards his ends-de-
voted himself with respectful attention and ten
derness to the object OF his arts--escorted Mrs.
Eaton in all her walks and rides, and daily
gained a new place in her affections. But his
career was not wholly untroubled. One
of the grandchildren, now in the Marine
service OF the United States, began TO
suspect his intentions, and vehemently
ing them. But then BourglnanI had a valuable
auxiliary in Emily, who, at least in her love
for the Italian, seems to have been honest and
unseldsh, satisfied only to do and say as he
deemei best and in spite OF all opposition
Bourganani perseyered.
He was somewhat of a poet this Italian, and
he talked to Mrs. Eaton of his "lee lingsr and
his "dTeams,n and at length committed himself
by a declaration. Mrs. Eaton at first laughed
at HIM, and told him mot tc be fool in the
presence of his mother" but, ridicule-proof, the
adventurer talked on, and by mere power of
tongue, overcame alike Mrs. Eaton's scruples
and common sense The ladys mother 100,
had been fascinated by the Italian (who seems
TO have had that fatal gift of the snake by which
1t is enabled to destroy the biTd), and warmly
approved of Bourgananrs proposal AT last bJ
the side of General Edton's grdUe the adventurer
demanded definite and final ans wer, and re-
ceived one ia the affirmative. The report of
this singular engagement" created alike public
comment and domestic confusion.
The press was Exercised" on the subject the
lady's friends gave her advice and wrote her
letters, and the grandson above referred to alb
solutely struck her In his wrath at the announce
ment of the "betrothal," )" and vowed vengeance
u)on the very life of the Italian. Three ministers
OF the gospel being requested TO marry the ill
assorted couple refused 10 dc so, and any man
save Bourganani would have despaired; but he,
an equal combination of Augustus Caesar and
the devil, crafty as the one and cruel as the
other, perseVered; minister was procured who
united them, though he frankly told Mrs. Eaton
that, under the circumstances, he would rather
bury her than marry her; and Mrs Eaton ceased
to be, aud Madame Bourgananl reigned in her
st ad Thus the Italian beggar, image-vender,
and dancing-m aster married moneyn and be.
came the husband OF one of the celebrated
women" of America.
During the first four years of his married life,
BouTganani, strange TO say, proved to be an ex-
emplarY husband. But he was merely perfectng
Us plans IN silence, LIS Rlte6 properly was