The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-06-01
A Bit Of Romance.

The recent death in Paris of Mr. Cass,
son of Gen. Lewis Cass, has revealed a
bit of sentimental romance not COM
mon in these later days. Mr.. Cass re-
sided in Paris several years, and re-
sumed in brilliant capital an ac-
quaintance which had begun in the lit
tie frontier-town of Detroit more than
forty years before. Miss Emily V.
Mason (now well known as an au-
thoress, traveller and educationist),
when Just blooming into womanhood,
presided over the gubernatorial man
sion at Detroit, the capital of the then
Territory of Michigan, of which her
brother was the Governor. The fami-
" of Gen. Cass, the most distinguished
citizen of the Northwest, and the fami-
" of Gov. Mason were united by the
closest ties of friendship, and of course
the Generals son and the Governors
sister were thrown much together.
Young Cass formed an ardent and, as
it has proved, a lasting attachment for
the dashing Kentucky girl. The death
of Gov. Mason obliged his sister to re-
turn to her fathers house before the
lover had declared himself.
Years passed-Miss Mason's father
and mother died. Refusing the many
wealthy homes that were offered
her, she determined to be Independent
and to support herself by her own hands.
A small market-farm was purchased
daughter of Gov. Mason, assisted by
the children of widowed sister, earned
a laborious livelihood. Their home be-
came little Paradise, peace and plenty
rewarded their eXertions, and there was
no happier home in Virginia than the
cottage of Miss Emily Mason. The
civil war broke out; this little Eden was
made desolate; its trailing vines were
destroyed; its innocent inmates were
forced to fly. Miss Mason went to Rich
mond and devoted herself to the sick,
wounded and dying soldiers. Confed-
crates and Federals shared alike her
gentle ministrations. At the close of
the war she entered new field of be-
nevolence-the education of Southern
orphans. Many young girls have been
thus enabled to earn an honorable and
respectable living.
For some years Miss Mason has been
residing abroad, chiefly in Paris. Here
she met once more M, Cass, the lover
of her youth, now an Old man. He had
lived in France so long that he had ac-
CURED much of the tender gallantry of
q Frenchman, and, in asking his first
love to be his last, he begged her to
honor him by conserving to be his
widow. But Miss Mason had long re-
solved not to marry, and so informed
her faithful admirer He bowed to her
decision and accepted the position of
friend. Mr.. Cass had told his conf
dental secretary to send for Miss Mason
in case he died suddenly One night he
retired, and the next morning was
found dead in his bed. Atelegram was
sent to Miss Mason, who was travelling
in Spain, and she Immediately returned
to Paris. Mr.. Cass' will was opened.
To Miss Mason he bequeathed $4,000,
his watch and three diamond rings,
making her joint executor of the will,
and requesting her as a last favor to
convey his remains to Detroit, the place
endeared to him by so many sweet and
tender associations of early life, not the
least of which was his love for her.
Over his grave he directed that a
modest monument should be erected,
with suitable inscription. Miss Mason
will carry out the last request of her
dying friend.-LippincoH s Magazine for
June.