Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1872-02-07
J. FENINORE COOPER's DOMESTIC
LIFE.

Rcsigning his position in the navy,
Mr.. Cooper at the age of twenty-five,
married Miss Susan Delaney, sister
of the Bishop of Western New York;
and now that twenty years have pass
ed since the graves of husband and
wife were made in the little church,
yard under the pines comment may
be permitted, and with the more
freedom, since sooner or later, the
lives of eminent lnen must necessari-
ly become the property of the public.
Among the sad histories which the
Biographies of men of genius are
almost sure to reveal, the charming
love story of Fcnimore Cooper and
his wife shines out with pure radi-
ancc, all ideal picture of a happy
marriage. A lovely, accomplished
woman, Mrs. Cooper was blessed
with the unchanging, tender dcvo-
ton Of her husband through forty
long years; and even in death they
were not separated, for within four
months after the husbands depart
ure his gentle wife followed him, a
tit resident for that heaven for$khich
her whole life had bceen one cep-
slant preparation. Her strong impetN
uous husband--massivc and vigorous
i'll frame, decided and independent in
action-yieldcd to her chivalrous
devotion most beautiful and rare.
She was his preferred companion
above all others, and in his daily
drives to his mountain farm, called
the Chalet he always wanted her by
his side, while in the evening his
favorite amusement was u game of
chess with his wife as antagonist.
Although children grew up around
them, although the hospi,nblc mun-
sion was often filled with distinguish
ed and delightful guests, although
time passed and they grew old, the
husband and wife never sank into tho
mere father. and mother, but to the
last they cherished for each other
that fresh affection which is SO sell
dom seen after the bloom of youth
and the charm of novelty have pass
ed away.
After his marriage, Mr.. Cooper
lived for sometime at Scarsdale, Wes-
chester county, and here he wrote
his first story, "Prccaution," tale of
English life. He was reading an
novel aloud to his wife, when sud-
denly he threw down the book and
exclaimed, Il believe could write a
better story myself!'' Follow
ing the impulse, he Immediately
composed few chapters and read
them to Mrs. Cooper, who encour-
aged him in the work, and urged
him to publish it when completed,
although at this time lie had no in
tention of appearing before the pub
lie. The manuscript, however was
submitted to the late Chas. Wilkes,
and meeting with his approval was
published in 1920, winning favorable
notice both in this country and
England, and showing the germs OF
that genius which, when employed
upon a more congenial and original
subject, gained for the author such
triumphant success. In 1921, Mr..
Cooper published the 'Spy," which
was Immediately and brilliantly sue
ccssful, being the first spirited story
of our revolutionary war, and thus
opening new era in American lit
eraturc. The "Spy'' has been trans
lated into all the languages of Europe,
a Persian version having appeared in
lS47 at lspahan.
From 1921 until his death, a period
of thirty ears, Mr.. Cooper published
no less than thirty-ninc volumes.
thirty-two being novcls-an amount
of mental and physical labor which
justly entities him to be called a hard
working man; for although he some
times employed his daughters as
amanucnsis, still the work of
composing and preparing even one
book for the press, is arduous, as any
doubter will find if lie tries it.-HaS-
per's Mnggazine.
a GOOD ExAMpLE-Whcn admi-
ro1 E,rro,rn.', cn,, ,,.,, oIo,,. 49,,