Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1871-01-18
SENATOR SUMNER.
A Brief Chapter on his
Domestic Life.

Times says: "Any reference
to Senator Summers domestic
affairs creates what the repor-
ters call a sensation. lie lives
alone in very handsome style
in q house that was fitted up
for Mrs. Sumner, who prefers a
residence in Boston. She was
gay, fashionable widow, of rare
beauty and accomplishments,
when the Senator was weak
enough to woo and wed her.
He was about the last man to
marry, or, if marrying, she was
about the last woman to select.
Like all eminent men, Senator
Sumner has more egotism than
intellect. Unless a man be-
lieves in himself he cannot
make others believe in him.
And such was Summers creed
in the worship Of Sumner, that
he wanted a wife to sit at his
feet while he was at home and
pour out unceasing praise, and
during his abSeece read his
speeches in the Globe, or those
heavy volumes called his
Works. Mrs. Sumner, how.
ever, had other notions connect.
ed with domestic bliss. She
married the Senator--distin-
gpished Senator--of Massachu,
sets, and proposed to enjoy the
advantages, in a social way, her
position gave her.
Balls, parties, receptions,
suppcrs, dinners, and hops
were her entertainments, and
the works of the statesman
were nauseating to her. In,
stead Of poring over musty
tones and heavy state papers,
and preparing from them tire.
mendous speeches and reports
the Senator found himself
dragged into entertainments
that he despiscd, and all his
valuable time frittered away
Domestic incompatibility be
gan to manifest itself.
Il was welded to my book.
before [ married you," said the
Senator, graudIy and gloomily
when his wife asked him ifthest
entertainments were disagree
able wig he sought her hand
Such scenes as the following
were common and repeated by
social gossjps with gusto:
Sumner and wife at a party
time past midnight. Mrs
5. whirling through rouut
f dances, excited and merry
the Senator grand, gloomy ant
, boccd.
Sumner (loquitor )--Mrs
Sumner your carriage waits.
Mrs, Sumner-Well, Senate,
: let it wait.
Sumner-But, Madame,
wish to go home.
Mrs. .Sumner-Well, Senator
Sumner, You have my full per
mission, Do, pray, go home
you look weary and exhausted
f BY all means go home.
Probably the Senator woulC
have accepted this advice, civ
en- on this and other occasions
5 and returning to his studies
= left the charming wife to tn,
= gayeties Of the season, but tha
, a certain handsome diploma
; readily took his place, and be
came her companion. This be
came so marked that at last th
\ gossips took up the fact of tn
: intimacy, and the saloons-no
s lager beer, but social--run,
with the talk.
Senator Sumner was not onl
$ chairman Of the Committee O
t Foreign Affairs in the Senate
+ but he was an intimate frien,
Y Of the Secretary Of State, an
one day the handsome diplomG
. was suddenly recalled. Whetl
: cr Mr.. Sumner had anything
: do with this event or not, Mr.
S Sumner, it is said, so believed
IS But whether this be true or no
= i is known that she was en-
n ragged and mortified at the re
port. She left Washingto
for Europe. Her brother ju;
a reached the steamer in time
: prevent q scandal, by sailin
e with her. And when she T.
1 - Ill. ~. sls