Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-14
NO. 1871.
Miseellanepns.
THE UNTOLD LOVE OF ALICE CARY.

Alice Cary lived and died Il maiden
queen of poesy 1t has seemed to many
impossible that she should have carried
her tender and passionate heart through
the social and literary thoroughfares where
in she was called to tread, unpierced by
any amorous shaft. And it was indeed
impossible. There is secret page of the
history OF the deceased poetess, which
was never seen written, and seldom, of
late years told. To this Phoebe Cary
briefly and indefinitely alludcs in the
sketch published in the Ladies' Repository
OF last month, and widely copied. The
writer says substantially that il her sister
ever loved there is no line in her published
works to tell the tale; over the mouth of
the sepulcher of her sad experience she
rolled the stone never by herself removed.
The doubtful ''if," half conceals and half
discloses the truth. 1t seems intended to
stop flying rumors, while refraining from
an unequivocal and impossible denial. AS
the story can only serve as u foil to the
many virtues and amiable qualities of its
subject, we need no further excuse for our
effort to rescue the fragmentary record
from the oblivion to which the mistaken
and morbid kindness of friends would fain
consign it. When the Cary sisters made
their first pilgrimage to the Eastern lite
rary Mecca, Rufus Wilmot Griswold was
among their earliest acquainiances. This
gentleman was prominent literateur
when men of letters were less numerous
in New York than at present. He was
born in Benson, VT, in 1915, and was,
consequently, but about five years the
senior of the elder sister. Having been
educated as printer, he became subse-
qnently Baptist preacher, a journalist,
and an author. As an editor he presided
over the destinies of the Brother Johna-
than and the New York World, man.
mouth weeklies; the New Yorker, cele-
brated literary hebdomidal; and Graham's
and the International magazines To the
first monthly mentioned he added cOnsid-
cradle character The last resembled
Harper's Monthly, and was bought out by
the owners of that magazine after brief
existence. In the wider field of letters
he should be spoken of rather as Il COM
piler than as an author. He published
various collections of the prose and poe
try of England and America, and, in con-
nection with other authors, several works
of popular biography. No one was bet
ter acquainted with the state of the litera-
ry market, or with the publishers of the
metropolis, than Mr.. Griswold. The two
rural devOtees of literature from the far
West were strangers, and needed cha
perone. He came to the rescue He
gave them space in his books, fattered
them, encouraged their hopes, and assisted
in finding market for their wares. To
wards Alice he more especially inclined
Their first acquaintance ripened into
friendship, friendship into intimacy, and
intimacy into love. 1t was said at last that
the parties were solemnly affianced. This
was nearly twenty years ago, and Alice
had then passed 80. He was still older,
and would seem to have passed The
bounds of juvenile folly, if these bounds
are ever passed by man. But he was
blaze citizen of the world, and she was
quiet, retired, sensitive domestic, and un-
assuming. Trouble came between the
two in the shape of woman of society
externally more attractive than Alice Ca
ry. This liaison produced a separation
The engagement was broken, and Alice,
concealing her sorrows, kept herself more
closely at home, and turned her attention
more assiduously to her special labors.
The story needs not to be fully detailed
here. 1t has been told over and over,
ever since the world has had u literature
Several years passed, and in 1857 Rufus
Wllmot Griswold lay dying OF a lingering
disease in the metropolis, in poverty and
alone. His literary ventures had brought
inadequate remuneration, and he had lived
life which it was not altogether pleasant
to look back upon. But the sisters had
made many friends, and been reasonably
blessed by fortune. The injured woman
forgot her wrongs and forgave the past
with readiness characteristic of her sex.
She came again to the bedside of the man
who had so grievously deceived her, and
watched with him day after day and week
after week as life slowly ebbed away. The
sick room was made cheerful with books and
flowers, and all necessary comforts; and
to defray necessary expenses, the money
earned by days and nights of labor with
the pen was freely lavished. At last death
ended the sufferings of this false lover,
and the grave closed over the secret of
woman's sorrow, now for the first time
made pubic.-[ Chicago Republican.