The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-12-22
This Romantic History of One Of Tom Benton s
Daughters

san Fmncisoo Correspondence Chicago Tribune.
Let me tell you something about one of
the school teachers of San Francisco, by way
Of illustrating the manner in which fortune
trul.rs with human nature and makes shut
uecorns g. poor humanity. Among the
teachers is an eldcrl y Iady-tho mother Of
five interesting children. She was born in
one Of the western states, and vas the first
born Of one the most distinguished senator
who ever sat in the Legislative halls Of the
United States-Oue who for more than TWEEN.
ty years represented one of the great states
Of the mighty west and who was the peer Of
Clay, Calhoun and Webster In her young
days she was the bell Of Washington City,
CARRYING away the palm from the dark.eyed
daughters Of the south and the rOsy.checked
damsrls Of the north All were anxious to
receive a smile from the fair lily Of the west.
NobIemen, representing their country at
Washington, laid their corouets at her feet
in vain. She was u true republican,, and
gave her love to a young genteman-then
q clerk in ono of the offices in Washington
Her fnther knew the youth and recognized
his great abilities, and when he solicited the
daughters hand it WAS chccrIu,ly given
The wedding was % brilliant one, many Of
the great men Of the country being present
to wish them joy aud cheer them at the com
mcucrmcut Of their domestic voyage. The
young husband was shortly afterwards al
mt,cd To the bar Of the United States su.
preme court, and soon recognized as ono Of
the most promising members. For mum.
Der of years be- practised his profession with
great success, and was on the high road 10
wealth and fame. Then cane an event in
the history Of our conntry which altered the
course Of many. refer to the discovery Of
gold in California, ond the consequent rush
Of cmgrants to the new FL Dorado. Among
those who determined upon going to Caifor
nia was the husband He consulted with
his Wife and she like true woman, declar
cd her intention Of accompanying HIM, He
showed her the hardships which she must
necessarily endure and urged upon her to
remain with her parents until he had made
n home for her. but she in the language Of
Ruth, said "Entreat me not to leave thee
or to return from following after thee, for
whittier thou goest ! will 90, and where thou
odgest | will lodge thy people shall be my
people, and thy God my God where thou
dest will die, and there will be buried"
He urged her once more, but together they
came to California, where the husband soon
took "a leading position at the bar, and
nmassed fortune. Tho people he assocat
ed with were from the south, and like many
others be began to drink to excess. When
the rebellion broke out he cast his sympa.
thies with the south. His brother,in.aw
went with the north and became a Major
General. lie had to give mp the practice o.
his profession because he could not take the
oath required by our legislature. Out Of
business, he drank heavily and soon began
to mortgage his property. SIX years passed
away, and he died, leaving his widow with
one child without dollar, for his creditors
had foreCIosed even to the homestead. The
noble woman Immediately took in sewingto
earn her living, but found that she could
hardly keep soul and body together by that
means. Some friend, Of her father and
husband offered to aid and assist her. but
she would receive nothing so long as she
could help herself She however, would be
thankful for assistance in procuring her
position as teacher in one Of the public |
schools. Application was made, and
would You believe it?-some of the school
directors opposed her appointment because
her dead husband was q secessionist They |
cared no, that her father was the peer OF |
Clay and Webster that her brother,in law |
wore the shoulder straps Of Major General !
They knew her husband in his lifetime, and |
had felt the lash Of his bitter tongue. and |
therefore desired to harm his widow The |
efforts, however we're unavaiIing. She was |
and IS now engaged in the public |
school department Of this city, teaching a
primary class A sad change in the fer
tunes of one who started in life with such |
brilliant prospects. She is true and noble
woman, however. and every one who reads |
his paragraph will praise her for her hero.
ism and devotion.