Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-01-14
FUNDAMENTALLY MATED.
The story ofsumner's Married LII

u
The Washington correspondent of the
New Orleans Times says:
x Any reference to Senator Sumner s
domestic affairs creates what the report
ers cali a sensation. He lives alone, in
a very handsome style, in house that
was fitted up for Mrs. Sumner who pre-
fers residence in Boston. She was a
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 wo-
man to select Like all eminent men,
Senator Sumner has more egotism than
intellect. Unless man believes in him
self he cannot make others believe in
him. Aud 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 absence read his speeches IN
the Globe, or those heavy volumes called
his Works. Mrs. Sumner, however, had
other notions connected with domestic
bliss. She married the Senator-the
distinguished Senator Of Massachu-
sets, and proposed to enjoy the advan-
tages, in social way, her position gave
her. VA laa
Balls, parties. receptions, suppers, din
ners and hops were her entertainments,
and the works of the statesmen were
nauseating to her. Instead Of poring
over musty tones and heavy State pa
pers and preparing from them tremen-
dous speeches and reports, the Senator
found himself dragged into entertain
ments that he despised, and all his valu-
able time frittered away. Domestic in
compatibility began to manifest itself.
II was welded to my books before !
married YOU" said the Senator, grandly
and gloomily, when his wife asked if
these entertainments were disagreeable,
why he sought her hand,
Such like scenes as the following were
common and repeated by social gossip
with gusto: e
Sumner and wife at party-time past
midnight. Mrs. S. whirling through
round dances, excited and merry-the
Senator grand, gloomy and bored.
Sumner Qoquitor) - Mrs Sumner,
W
Mrs. Sumner-Well, Senator, let it
wait.
Sumner-But, madame, | wish to go
home. ..
! I Mrs. Sumner Wen, Senator Sumner,
you have my full permission. Do pray,
go home; you look weary and exhausted.
By all meai's 90 home.
Probably .he Senator would have ac-
cepted this advice, given on this and
other occasions, and returning to
his studies, left the charming wife to the
gayeties of the season, but that certain
diplomat readily took his
place and became her companion. This
became so marked at last that the gos-
sips took up the fact of the intimacy, and
the saloons-not lager beer, but social
rung with the talk. " " 70 -
Senator Sumner was not only Chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Al
fairs in the Senate, but he was an inti-
mate friend of the Secretary of State,
and one day the handsome diplomat was
suddenly recalled. Whether Mr.. Sum
ner had anything to do with this or not,
Mrs. Sumner, it is said, so believed But
whether even this is sure it is known
that she was enraged and mortified by
the report. She left Washington for
Europe. Her brother reached the
steamer in time to prevent scandal, by
sailing with her. And when she re-
turned it was with the positive determi-
nation not to resume her place as Mrs.
Sumner in Washington City, and she has
since lived up to this, leaving the elo-
quent statesman to occupy his hand
some residence alone
This is the story of Senator Sumner $
married experience How true it may
be am not prepared to say, for | am
not acquainted with either party, and
only gather up the gossip of society for
your entertainment.