The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1870-06-23
"BErsY pArrERsoN'sn CONQUEST.

] oElox fAxI6doUN . CUNuuEoI.
Among the residents of Washington are som,
charming old ladies' who could fill column attel
column with the "social gossip" of other days
One of these was scho0lmate of Nine Bona
parte, and has much to say Of Betsy Patter
sons" conquest and the way in which it was
accomplished. Of the brilliant beauty and re,
markabe conversational powers of this woman
whose history had So much of tragic romance
about it, her friend says too much cannot be
affirmed. She was justly entitled to all the
admiration she received; and even now that
her beauty is gone, her intellect 10 perfectly
clear. and her wit aud readiness in CONVERSE
ton have lost little of the fire of her youth.
"Mary," she exclaimed, in an earnest nd.
dress to her friend few years ago, "to think
of woman OF my ambition being so cruelty
crushedl" She showed most beautiful like
ness to herself, as she was, to some ladies,
with perfectly innocent and surely not won.
derfui pride in its loneliness, and said, "Do
you see how pleased aud happy lookl That
was because all the time was sitting the ar.
fist was telling me how much he admired me,
and how handsome was" She was told she
ought to allow the picture to be copied. but
she Indignantly refused to do SO, saying ii was
for her grandson and no one else should have
done of malice prepease. She had heard of
his arrival in Baltimore, aud when the lady
who tells the story went 10 visit her ut her
fathers country seat, few miles from that
rity, on the York road. the conversation turned
upon the newly -arrived Frenchman. Said the
visitor: You must come to see mo soon, Bet.
sey. and meet Bonaparte." II shall come"
replied the young lady, prepared for conquest.
Oh, To go to France as his wife. and be the nd.
niraton of all Europe" A few days after.
ward she went to Baltimore. II heard voices
n the street." says the friend, land looking |
tut Of the window saw Brtsey coming on
ackass." In this way it seems the beauty rode |
IN 10 glory. The next day there were races, |
md Betsey attended them. wearing white
Wig. Ii was the fashion in those days for /
aides To wear wigs vi every imaginable color. /
l belle might appear in the morning with red
Iair. ut noon with white. and nj night with !
'rown. her own perhaps being black, rs was
he case with Miss Pattcrson's which Vas of
rauiiiul shade of black. not the inky black, or
ct the blue-black. Wearing her white wig
nd seated in III. carriage with other ladies',
he was introduced By Commodore Barney 10
eroine Bonapartc, who was ut once struck
nth admiration of the "Greciaa beauty" rs
ho was called, while rival belle who after.
ards married one OF Jcromcs suite. Gen
'ubell, was known as the Roman beauty"
he same day Gen. Smith. "ihr hero Of Mud
'rt," gave dinner 10 the Frenchmen at which
liss Patterson appeared. wearing her own
mir. aud Completed her conquest un The spot
eroine told her she Was SO much more beau.
ful when adorned by her natural lrrsscs than !
ir could possibly be- in any wig tina, she never
gain doaned one OF thosc monsirosstirs
In thu course OF few days young Bonapar,e
i've grand ball. and Miss Patterson was his
srtucr. In the dance he threw over her head |.
gold chain. 10 which was attached . miniature
Aencss Of himself. set in diamonds. and the Ia
! bore il off in triumph. Thus the engage.
.ns was made. Miss Paltersun's father, how. |
er, dlsapprovcd. and sent her away in what
termed the wilds ui Virginia. Jeromes love :.
'nesra.ed even 10 that secluded spot, aud be- u
ccrrdcd 10 having letters carried Ia her
hen Mr.. Patterson discovered this. be made c
further violent opposition. but brought his
lighter home. and In short time the mar.
igc took place. When the young people
ire ready 10 go Ia Europe. Mr.. Patterson.
lo was merchant ship owner. fitted out one !,
his own vessels 10 convey his daughter in re-. h
style to that France which she hoped Ia ii
nquer by her beauty. Alas alas she reach. 6
1t TO only End every port closed against her
reason ut the Emperor's order. A message y
BIN Napoleon that his brother should COME ai =.
&c to Paris to consult with his maicsiy was n
nveyed to the ship. and. hoping, all things. II
; bridegroom departed making sure he could T,
u bis sovereign's consent to his marriage In k
personal interview. lie never saw his wife pe
nm The Emperor forbade his return TO her,
] she, after awaiting him in vain. was taken
London by her brother. There her son was --
n. She met Jerome once. years aftcrward
Florence, IN picture gallery. They recog n,
ed each other instantly; but the gentleman -
o had accompanied the deserted wife led
away ut once. and the next morning .Jer.
. Bonaparte lett the city. N
. - n