Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-03-30

might have said, "'What a beastly
fukc !"'" ..-.. -. /.

might. q J. have said, 'What a beast1y
1ukc !"'" -... Is
The Scandal ~ It 10 Talked About by
5-.t tho Ex.SecFetarvss Wife.
Washington March lsl Correspondence Of
....a New York World .
Tho late secretary of war and his wife
naturally feel disposed to seclude them.
selves ss much IS possible, and admit no
one, save their most intimate friends, to
the house. This is, not only be.
cause of tho pending impeachment,
but because Mrs. Belknap is
in deep affliction for the loss of
her eldest sister. Mrs. Bowman, who died
few days ago, at her residence in Har.
rodsburg, KY, was the eldest daughter of
the Tomlinson family, and said to be
more beautiful than any Of her sisters.
She leaves four daughters to mourn her
death, the eldest Of whom is just entering
upon womanhood. The severe ordeal
through which Mrs. Belknap is passing
must dispose even the most relentless OF
her enemies to pity her. especially now
that her load of anguish is rendered
almost unendurable by the death
Of an idolizcd sister. She has
not discussed the most recent
scandal which has involved George H.
Pendlcton save with his friends. but one
Of them is authority for the statement
that Mrs. Belknap denies most positively
ever having received a dollar Of money
on account Of the Kentucky Central rail.
read. She says size vas not even in
Washington when the claim was allowed,
and did not sec Mr.. Pcndlcton for months
aftcrward. She met him in New York
when she was on her way 70 Europe. and
again met him in Europe. She says there
is not one word of truth in the conversa.
ton reported by Gen. Kiddo as having
taken place between herself and Mrs.
Marsh. She asscverates that no such
conversation ever took place.
Mrs. Belknap does not consider Rep.
rescntativc Black burn the "Brutus'' he
has been made to appear by certain cor
respondents bent on dcfaming him be-
cause he is q Democrat. On the con.
trary, she speaks Of understanding his
position in regard to the investigation
perfectly, and Of having the highest es.
teen for him. She says that all he
could do, in justice to himself, he has
done to shield her. The old friendship
between herself and his wife has been re-
newed this winter, to the great pleasure
Of both parties, and while Mrs. Bclknap
speaks warmly Of the love she bears the
companion Of her childhood, Mrs. Black.
burn and her husband Join in expressions
! of tho most profound esteem Of Mrs. Bel.
knap. Mr.. Blackburn says he knows
nothing against Mrs: Bclknap, and
| will always strive to defend
her. Mrs. Belknap feels deeply
the cruel injustice which has supplied as
a motive for her attentions to Mrs Black.
burn during the winter her desire to in.
t!uence the husband Of tho latter in her
own and her husbands favor. She says
that from the time Mr.. Black burn was
elected to Congress she rejoiced a: the
good prospcc: Of having her old friend and
school.matc, his wife, in the same city
with her, and last fall actually counted thu
weeks before she could be expected to ar
rive. The relative positions Of their hus
baLds had nothing to do with her feeling
then, as the part Blackbu has beer
compelled to take in the prosecution doe
not now influence her feelings toward hin
or his wife. She has simply kept up tn
old intimacy on the old terms.
In regard to the toilets Mrs. Belkna]
has worn this winter, it is only fair t.
say that all of them, save one, belonge'
to the trosseau she brought with he
from Paris two years ago when about t.
be married to the Secretary Of War
None Of them have been altered, it bein
= well.substantiated fact among ladic
that Paris dress, while costl,
in the first instance, Away
proves good Investment, as it is in styl
as long as rag Of it holds together. Th
one dress which Mrs. Belknap purchase
for the past winter was that in which sh
appeared at the Patriarchs' Ball at Del
monico's. Others of her dresses mad
their frst appearance in Washington thi
year, but had been worn by her elsewhere
\ maid, now living at the White House
who came from Paris with Mrs. Belkna
two years ago, said to her on meeting he
accidentally: Il have seen madame wca
the very dresses l packed up for her
Paris" During the season Of 1875 Mr.
Belknap went into society very seldom
as her baby was born in the early part
the winter.