New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-28
Romance in Reality.

The vicissltudeg which mark the lives o
some women are exemplifed in the case o
Mrs. Attorney General Williams. Man,
and varied are the stories told eoncernin,
her marriages., and when at last she ap
peared in Washington as the wife of tn
Attorney General several excellent leader
Of fashion were disposed to frown her down
Because woman has been unusually pafOr
tunate, while not guilty, seems to me the
very reason why her own sex should be
friend and uphold her; but the reverse il
almost always the case. Consequently, Mrs
Williams went very little into society
during her first season in Washington. She
held aloof with a calm dignity that sur
prised the "leaders of fashion," while her
exemplary conduct eventually forced from
them their respect and esteem. 1t was con-
coded that she was handsome and agree
able, but it was never suspected that she
possessed more than ordinary mind or any
diplomatic ability.
She is one of the few women who know
how to wait, and, if she can not create an
opportunity, knows how to seize one when
it occurs Her husbands position gave her
the first golden opportunity OF her life, and
30 well has she improved it, that from being
received under protest, she now leads the
beau monde of the capital, and even dictates
fered ut receptions Mrs. Williams well
merits her tardy good fortune. But of all
the facts concerning her domestic troubles
which have been given to the public, one
has been omitted containing an element of
romance, and showing the love she inspired
in the heart of her only child.
Whatever were the terms of separation
between herself and first husband, the child
remained with its father, who told his son
that his mother was dead.
For years the boy believed the story, but
one day, ON going to the pOstoffice for his
fathers letters, he found one addressed to
himself. 1t was from his mother! Over
powered by the sudden knowledge of her
existence he dropped upon the curbstone
and read his mothers letter.
1t related how ill-treatment bad driven
her from his side: how, poor alone and
with the Reproduction of the world upon her,
she had struggled for existence; but hap
pier days had at length cOme-she was
married to Mr.. Williams and was going to
Europe. She inclosed her photograph and
babe her son never forget his mother.
The boy sprang up, vowing to do more
than remember-to devote his life to find
ing her. He went to his father, showed
him the letter. and asked him the reason of
his deception. He cOldly replied that he
had thought it best-that, if he had known
his mother was alive, he would have want
cd TO see her, and that he would never
have permitted.
The boy followed his mothers example
ne left the rich mans house; and, although
not twelve years of age, he went to work in
a foundry. Steadily he worked, with but
one purpose in his heart-tO earn money
enough to find his mother. That moment |
came at length, and he went to Europe, |
with nothing to identify her but the photo. |
graph and letter.
Failing to find her in Europe he returned |
to the United States and hunted through |
CITY after city, unavailingly. His procedure
was simple. He copied from the directory
liams, and called on them in turn till the
list was exhausted.
Many quiet family he startled from
their serenity by raid upon them, photo
graph in hand, inquiring for his mother. At
last there was but one city left to search
Washington. He pursued his usual course
there, visiting all the Williamses in the
capital save the Attorney General. In every
case he was disappointed.
He was now so near despair that he had
half mind, he said, not to call on them
But it was the last Of the name whom he
had not seen, and his search would be in
complete without it. The youth resolved
10 make his last inquiry; SO, photograph in
hand, he entered the National Hotel and
asked the clerk if Mrs. Williams lived
here. Yes was the reply. 'DOes this |
ook Ike her ~ That's the lady said the
'lerk. II AIN her son-can you give me a /
Dom near her ?" Yes" "Say nothing Of ,
nv being here-I want to surprise her.
All right"
The young man went TO his room. arrayed
himself in his best, then knocked at his |
Mothers door, his whole frame trembling
With agitation, and with hope deferred at J
ength realized. a
Her voice babe him enter. He flung open a
he door, and, exclaiming, "Mother, don't l
ou know meF he rushed frantically into
er arms 4
She was at the time an invalid, and the u
hook almost proved serious; but as joy {
ever kills, they say, she recovered. 4
He had worked his way almost all through +
urope and America; consequently his edu- y
alton had been neglected. but as he was p
My twenty-one years of age when he found a
iIs mother, she hoped to overcome that de- #
sct. She put him to school at once, and he
ives promise of becoming as brilliant in 8
lind as he is loving of heart.-CeiiG Logan, 4
! he NeU York Graphic. t