Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-09
Es w II MVEtE.
Publisher and Proprietor
THE DIAMOND WEDDING.
sonora Francis BARTLETT de o,

From the New York Tribune.l
Ever since the marriage, in 1859, of
Miss Bartlett of this city, to Senior de
Oviedo, of Havana, gossip has been ripe
in regard to their marital relations, and
the supposed lamentable fate of the
young lady. The Senor, so report said,
was a humbug. an impostor, an ogre, a
negrol His millions had dwindled into
hundreds; his famous jewels, giving rise
to Stedman's poem of the Diamond
Wedding" were half paste and the
other half hired for the occasion. The
bride was neglected abused and unhappy,
and at one time it was industriously re-
ported that she was residing in one Of
her mothers residences, in Brooklyn,
broken-hearted, her pride and spirit
alike crushed Again it was widely cir
culated, with a triumphant Il told you
so air, and copied by the city and pro-
vincial journals, that she was gaining a
scanty living by her needle in New York.
The death of Senor de Oviedo and the
fact of his having failed to make will,
has given fresh impetus to the penny-a-
liners.
The writer of this was an intimate
friend of Captain Bartlett and his fam
lily, residing at the same hotel at the time
of their introduction to the Sonor. Miss
Bartlett added to rare blonde beauty
most stately form and gracious presence,
infinite grace and charm of manner, and
mind highly cultivated; she also spoke
Spanish and French with great fuency.
That the millionaire was fairly enslaved
created no surprise, even among the en-
vious. From the day of their introduce
ton the rarest flowers were daily offered
at her throne, until, as time passed on
and the engagement was announced,
other gifts of the most elegant and costly
nature we're added ta
After the marriage, which acquired
notoriety painful to the refined nature of
the young lady, the Senor dwelt happily
in Cuba, home being to him the happiest
spot on earth That home, whether in !
Havana or upon one of his plantations, |
was rendered an earthly paradise, fairy !
land in its surroundings, frightened by |
its beautiful and accomplished presiding |
genius. All Americans who have been |
welcomed to the family circle of the De
Oviedos can testify to the warm, large |
hearted hospitality of the late Senior,
and the winning grace Of the hostess.
At one time during the siokly season an
American gentleman was seized in the
street with that terrible coma which
precedes an attack of yellow fever As
attendants were taking him to the hos
pital, Senior de 0viedo Immediately sent
for one of his carriages, pillows ETC.,
and had the unconscious sufferer con-
veyed to his plantation at Trinidad
there, after the fierce fever had been sue
cessfully battled with, one can fancy the
surprise and gratitude Of the stranger
on recovering his reason to find himself
in q large, airy room, exquisite in all its
appointments, watched over by the Sc
nora de 0yiedo herself, who was relieved
by the Senior a1d experienced nurses.
Nor was the gentleman permitted to leave
that beautiful home until perfectly re-
covered. This is only one instance
among many in the writer's knowledge
of the de 0viedo's charity and disinter-
estedness.
The Senior had been a martyr 90 Fheu-
natism for many years; his wife S atten-
ion was as devoted as uRceasing, until
1eatn buQueHi1 SlaiHtu Ulm. SenOId
lie Oviedo had the misfortune 10 lose her
ather, mother end only brother q faw .
7ears ago. The latter visited his sister /,
With his young bride, hoping TO find
lealth in that climate; but he died at
be home plantation at Trinidad of rapid [
and his young widow,
laughter of o well known New York ,
amily, was az once accepted as a loved l
lister by the De 0viedoE Sonora de Q
)viedo has been appointed admins {
ratrix Of her husbands estate by the Z
as such, has given satisfhc-
ion. She has always enjoyed a hsndsoine r
'rivate fortune, settled upon her by
er husband. and she will receive . very /
arge addition from the estate. She /
ontinues living 10 the same elegant
uxury as during her husbands life-her
mornings closely devoted to business; .
er evenings TO receiving her friends.
Ter present intention is TO remain dur =
ng each winter in Cuba until that dis !,
raeted country becomes settled, passing :
er summers either at the North or In !
Europe. SO strong Is her love for the
Pearl of the Antilles " thai she has no
esire to leave il permanently.