Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-04
EVENING STAR.
DOUBLE SHEET.
THE LATE ALICE CARY.

Mrs. Mary Clemmer Ames writes in the Fade-
psadeEt.
Yet, 10 less because of these words, sacrile-
giOus hands have rudely attempted to lift it.
he sanctuary of that pure heart Is ruthlessiy
invaded even in the grave A story under the
title of the % Unknown Love OF Alice Cary" in
the newspapers, Is still travelling through the
length of the land. IL asserts that in her youth
she was aft anced to Rufus ". Griswold; that he
MAS false 20 her-forsaking her for a woman OF
the world: that long after. when he returned to
New York, fTiendleSs, poor and SICK, she for
Iursed Rim until he died This story, in many
conflicting phases, was often, to hsr great an
uOyaRce, told of her during her life. The fact
that Rufus W. GrisvOld did in his last will be-
Oueath TO her his personal effects was made
much OF in printed and private circles, and
used as an unanswerable proof that at one time
lie had been her lover. Within a week [
have read in letter to the New York
ErcHiRg Post that the will proved the
love and relationship between the two per-
. sons beyond a doubt. Yet no less, in its fOun-
datiOn. the story il false. Referring to il once,
while we two sat alone together, Alice said to
me; al viii tell you just the truth IL you ever
think IL necessary, you can tell it" believe IL
to be but justice to her sacred life, with which
idle gossip is yet busy, to tell il Bereaye-
ment in death and in life had made her western
home too desolate to be borne. These, with the
impulse of the brave will that served her to the
last, brought her to New York to make not the
life that she would have chosen for herself vet
a life worthy TO be lived. Ignorance stood me
in the stead of courage she said. dad
known the great world az have learned 1t since
i should net have dared; but didn't Thus
came" The leading litterdtenr at that time was
DIR. Rufus W. GriswOld. He had compiled the
books called the "The Female Prose Writers"
and "'The Female Poets of America" He was
sharply on the lockout for every new genius in
literature that appeared. He had visited the
sisters in their Ohio home, and in 1850 obtained
n publisher for their first volume, and had added
both their names with selections from their
poems TO his own Poems of America" He
knew everything necessary to their success in the
sphere of labor which they had chosen, while
they practically knew next to nothing. He en-
COuraged and hell ed them in many ways, and
thus commanded their gratitude.
For Alice TO incur debt of gratitude was to
pay IL, If at the cost of her life. Yet even the
misfortune. Her soul may be white as snow;
vet he cannot take her innocent name upon his
lips without smirching IL with something of his
own vileness. His vanity has been hattered by
idle women, till con9uests become not only the
habit, but the necessity, of his morbid and mis-
cradle soul; till, where he knows he has not won
it, yet be is base enough to boast of II. Such a
man Judging by every record left of him) was
Rufus W. Grfswold. He was man OF poetic tenn
permanent, of fine scholarship, of generous i'm
pulses, and in certain directions of gifts vet
no less he a man of tickle fancies, of violent
temper, which often fell upon his dearest friends
of mOnstrous vanity, and of ungoyerned pas
siOns. 81 was never engaged to him in mar
Iiage. / never loved him." said Alice Cary
10 me. 90 could not have loved such a man.
though i learned HIM in his best phases
i came 10 pity him, because he was his
much, and before his death found il in nv
power TO pay back in part my large debt of
gratitude. When he returned to New York
POOR and sick, with certain death before him. L.
with Mis- -, hired a room and nurse for him.
From that they have made the romantic story
of my nursing him for unrequited love. 1t was
old Betsey who nursed him. You know how big
and strong she is; yet even she became worn
out, for his sickness was long and very painful
Many unkind. even cruel things have been said
because he willed to me his per-onal effects
Beside the books and pictures which he be-
queathed TO the Historical Society, these were
all that he possessed; and he left them to me;
not more out of personal regard than from a de-
sire to repay as far as he was able the money
which had expended for his comfort during
his last long sickness"
in the profoundest sense Alice Cary never
loved but once. The man whom she loved is
stiu alive; yet gossip, with its keenest scent has
never found or named him. With all her full
ness Of affection, hers was an electric and sOli-
tary soul. He who by the very patent Of his he
ing was more 10 her than any other mortal could
be might pass from her life, but no other could
ever take his place. A proud and prosperous
family brought all their pride and power to bear
en- son TO prevent his marrying a girl unedu-
Gated, rustic and poor. al waited for one who
never came back, !" she said. s'Yet believe he
would come TIL read in paper his marriage IN
another. Can you think what life would be-
loving one, waiting for one who never camei''
He did come at last Ii saw him. His wife had
died, Alice was dying The gray-haired man
sat down beside the gray-haired woman. Life
had dealt prosperously with him, as is its wont
with men. Suffering and death had taken ali
from her save the luster of her wondrous ewes
From her wan and wasted face they shone upon
him fun OF tenderness and youth. Thus they
met with life behind them-they who parted
phghted lovers when life was young. He was the
man whom she forgave for her bHghted and
weary life, with smil eOf parting as divine As
ever lit the face OF woman.