Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-11-05
5flisceliann.
The Statesman and the Heiress.
ROMANTIC EPISODE OF THE EARLY LIFE
OF WILLIAM L. MARCY.


William L. Marcy was called to the
bar in October 1911 Acting under the
advice of friends, he opened an office in
Troy, N. Y, and commenced the prac-
tice of his profession. He was surround
ed by experienced and gifted lawyers
who controlled the honors and emolu-
ments of their profession. Young Mar
cy, deficient in those brilliant and ready
talents so attractive to the public, though
possessing erudition and strong intellec-
tual powers, did not at first meet with
professional success, but taking an ap-
peal to the future, he waited patiently
the developments of time. With great
labor and perseverance he perfected
himself in those old requirements which
subsequently rendered him conspicuous
before the world as a lawyer, Judge, di-
plomatist and statesman.
Among the characteristics that distin-
guished the earl ly days of Mr.. Marcy's
professional life was carelessness in re-
gard to dress. Though he was not, like
Martin Grover, accustomed to appear in
dilapidated attire, still he held fashion
and her votaries in contempt. His boots
were often left for weeks without polish,
and his hair, to say the least, never ap-
peared in Hyperion curls, and, withal,
by casual acquaintances he was regard
ed as very dull and inactive young
man. But his personal appearance was
in his favor. He was slightly above the
ordinary hight, stout and masculine,
but not gross his forehead bold and
full, his eyebrows heavy, his eyes deep
set and expressive, his mouth and chin
firmly moulded his manners were afa-
bic and courteous, free from pretense,
yet dignifed." He was easy, pleasing
and graceful in conversation. In really
refined and cultivated circles young Mar
cy, Notwithstanding his Indifferent attire,
was favorite, though coxcombs at
tempted to make him the subject of rail
lery.
His office was in a small, one story
building, surrounded by railing or We
randa. Directly opposite his Office
there was fashionable female seminary
In pleasant weather he would seat, him
self on the veranda, with his feet elevat.
ed on the top of it, and in this position
watch the gambols of the young ladies
on the play ground of the school or en-
gage in pursuing his favorite studies
His unpublished boots, thus conspicuously
exhibited, were often the subject of mer.
riment among the fair students. Though
young Marcy was wanting in those ex.
ternal qualities constituting what is call
ed "a ladies man" his society was by nc
means distasteful to the fair sex, especi
ally to those who had the penetration tc
understand the real beauties of his char
acter and to appreciate his abilities
Among the more advanced pupils Of the
seminary was Miss Dubois, young la
dy from Springfield, Mass, an heires:
and very beautiful Marcy had frequent
ly met her at the residence of lady
friend in Troy. For some time re
spectful friendship existed between hen
and the young lawyer. She was pleased
with the graces of his mind, the variety
and extent of his knowledge, the superi
ority of his intellect. There was acharm
in his conversation which unconsciously
revealed the mental resources of the fu
ture statesman, stimulating intelligence
in others. Miss Dubois possessed thai
charming versatility that belongs of right
to woman-the faculty of suiting hel
fine intellect to all whom it encountered
of so tempering her subtle wit with
feminine grace as to exempt her from
enmity and malice, and that pride which
is the necessary result of superiority she
wore easily and gracefully. They were
those elements in the friendship betweer
young Marcy and Miss Dubois which
naturally ripen into deep attachmen
and ardent love; yet, singular as it may
appear, there was no affair of the hear
blended with it. But those who wer,
aware of their intimacy not understand
ing its nature, naturally put another con
struction upon it, and report reached
the ears of the faculty of the seminar,
that Marcy was an accepted suitor 0
Miss Dubois. The rules of the institu
ton strictly forbade the young ladie
from receiving any attention from gen
tlemen; and the parents of the lady haC
strongly enjoined upon the faculty tn
, enforcement of this rule in regard t,
! their daughter. Therefore, the repor
of her relations with the young lawye
caused an unpleasant sensation in tn,
seminary, and Miss Dubois was strict,
forbidden to have any further association
. with Marcy. The report even reaches
her father, who hastened to Troy, deter
9 ro;,od 70 rannova his daughter from IN