Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-11
WASHINGTON SCANDAL.
The Wife of a Government EmpIOye
Runs Away with a Legation At
tache-A Worse ScandaI-A
FOOtman Takes the Place
of q Husband.

washington correspondence OF the New
York Mercury: The following morning
passed through the interior department and
met an acquaintance, an old employe, to
whom | related the information about the
spies, and asked him If he thought Secretary
SchurZ was aware of the active manner in
which the European spy system had been
introduced here. He doubted whether the
secretary knew anything about it, and said
he would take the first opportunity to have it
brought to his knowledge. He then added
''These foreign ambassadors serve their gov
ernments very faithfully. cannot, as gov
eminent employe myself, find fault with
them for that, if they would only leave our
women alone and not take our wives away
with them" As a faithful journalist l at
once pricked up my ears and asked what was
up, when he said: ooh, you ii hear it soon
enough" and fearing that he might be over
heard, added, in whisper: "ltis a sad case. "
He then stated that some days ago one of the
attaches of a continental legation received
leave of absence to go to Europe for four
months, and simultaneously with his depart
ure disappeared the wife of department
employe, and the mother of his two children
Out of his scanty salary of two thousand
eight hundred dollars per annum he main
tanned his little family comfortably; but, I'M
fortunately, she attended one OF last winters
receptions In company with congressman of
the district whence her husband hailed.
first time, while the elopement just brought
to light revealed the hais0n she there formed
Several hundred dollars have been expended
already, In the endeavor to bring her back
by kilograms and friends who have been sent
after her in Paris. The congressman also
works hard with the same end in view, and
while it is not expected that the foreign
scamp will ever return, it is yet hoped that
after while the love for her children may
make her repent of her rash act, and once
more turn her face westward. 1t Is owing to
this hope that all parties are anxious to Keep
the matter quiet, if, indeed, the husband
himself, who daily sits listlessly at his desk,
be not the first to give publicity to scandal
that, as yet. IS known to very few here.
Eager to obtain further information as to the
whereabouts of the woman who had so scam
dalously abandoned her home,
sought an employe of the State
department, whose peculiar duties
bring him In daily contact with leading mem
bers and attaches of the diplomatic corps,
and who, for the past twenty-five years, has
had the run of all the secrets and gossip of
the foreign circle in Washington. SIT is a
scandalous affair." he said, land during the
past week | have heard that quite a number
of Americans have been seen at the Paris ex-
position. But it is not half so bad as other
things that have happened in this very place
during the past four years. You remember
the count aud countess who made such dis
play last winter In society here, as if they
stood at the head of the diplomatic corps,
though he is virtually only secretary. You
also knew the big, Swapping fellow, who acts
as their footman. Well, this footman has more
to say in the counts house than he has him
self, and appears to be master of the domes-
tic household. This has lasted now over two
years, and l suppose, whenever he is recalled,
the footman will go along with them to Eu-
rope" My informant then related to me
how this complicated and singular state of
affairs was brought about. The count came
home one afternoon and called for his foot
man; John was in the bathroom
ed him to come out. 81 cannot
come out just r ow; l am in the bath" was
the reply. what business have you to take
bath at this time of the day? Why not
take it early in the mornlng?" said the count
Because was ordered to go in, sir, ~ replied
''The countess ordered me in, SIR" "Well,
come out at once, " said the count, growing
ly, and, slipping quietly into an adjoining
room which had side-door leading into the
bathroom, suspectng that all was not exact
" right, he quietly awaited Developments
To his great surprise the bath room side-door
opens, and out of it walks madame, the
countess, quite unconcerned. "What is ali
thls?' violently exclaimed the count. Moth
ing; what is the matter with you?" replied
madame. ''You in the bathroom at the
same time with John?" Bat, no; John is
not there; look for yourself" Well know
ing that the footman had quietly stepped out
of the other door, the count upbraided his
wife for so far forgetting herself as to become
intimate with the domestics of the house.
She at first denied the impeachment, but
finally owned up that he, the count, was in
tensely disagreeable to her. Anyhow, at
the worst, she for herself dld not
think it worth while to make such fuss
about a little thing. Beside himself with
rage, the count hunted John, who had
In the meantime returned to his work in the
coachhouse. Violent words burst around the
footman's ears, until finally the count told
him to clear out of the house at once, adding:
''If my suspicious prove correct l will hang
you from the door of this STABLE month
or two after this occurrence the count, coming
home one evening, saw the man leaning
against fence, and apparently watching for
an opportunity to go in the house. "You
here again, you scoundrel ?" said the count
"What can do p said John. Here are at
least dozen letters from the countess order
ing me to come back. Now, if you dom
want me there. you must settle that with the
countess. That Is not my business. Here
are my orders. The nonplussed husband
saw he was beaten at all points, and said:
well, l suppose | better keep the scandal
indoors than let it go out. She appears de-
termined to have this big, strapping fellow
for the footman, and for peace sake I'll have
to submit. The fellow was reinstated in his
place, and ever since that time matters 90
along quietly and smoothly in the counts
mansion.