Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-08-16
Mimic Stevens.

30 hlrS. IaiaG OtCYcGS mas uaTllcu tuc
daughter into the English nobility at last Tho
case presents a notable instance of ambition
early conceived, rcrsistcnly adhered TO and trl
umphantIy realized Mrs Paran Stevens was
what one OF our Boston wits once called "a chop
house imprcssario." Her husband was the
first great hotel keeper Of Boston. When !
first remember him lie was keeping the New
England House, hotel at tho North E1d OF
Boston, in which, Boston merchants boarded
their clerks Tor the purpose of capturing cour
try customers as they camo to the city. (rhlo
was before the days Of "drummers," you
KNOWN
The New England House was we'll kept 10 lts
way, but it was several degrees below first class.
When tho Revere House was built, everybody
was surprised at the ambition of hlr. Stevens
to be i;s landlord. He took it, and he kept it
we'll, too. More than all this, he taught the
landlords all over the country how to improve
10 their business. lie was clear beaded,
sound minded business man, who kncw his
own sphere and his own strength, and never
attempted anything above them. lie died
worth 81 100000
In the days Of his early prosperity he mar
ricd the lady who is now his widow. She was
considerably younger than himself and resi-
dent ol lowell, in this State. She brought
him no money, but she had boundless social
ambition. 1t did not procure her tho entrance
to society 10 Boston. even alter her great
wealth cane Neither did New York readily
yield to hcr when tho family moved to that
city, Then she set about buying for her child
rcp placo independent of either city.
Her daughter, Mimic, who promised to be
4 brilliant aad beautiful girl, was destioed by
her mother to lead the fortunes Of the family to
this end. She educated her most carefully
She brought her up and brought her out sc
cordins to the striotcst propricty, and when at
last Nllupiu waH educated and ready tor society
she was able to say that tho girl was fit to bo
bride for ;hc best of their cjronets. Such was
the general opinion also.
Bliss Stevens hai many admirers for her
auahty. her grace and her intelligence. -
Still tho d1ors Of New York did not opon to
her. She went abroad, aud she mnde just the
sensation the mothers heart had longed Tor.
This reputation followed her home. and when
iicd foreigners came hero to pay hor attcn-
iion, then New York alao yielded. The un
pleasant feature about it all is the fitting a
young American girl for the foreign matilmo-
NAL market, the advertising her in advance az
l0r that dlSIlnGuOn. Ou eau unu
the whole pr0cass set out in Tho Tender lie.
collcotioug cl irene MacliilIicuddy," which nl-
most everybody inaic feels that Nlra. StcVcrs
Sugg gcGtGu
Mrs. Stoynns' campaign shows how much
may be done with money, too among tho Dast
blood OF English nobility. For Miss Stnvons is
but an inn-koopcrS daughter, alter all. The
81 GCOU0 that her father left WAS employed by
her mother to tempt the English families to sn
alliance which it is too probable that hor grace
and sweetness would not alono havo socured.
There il hardly u million dollars Of it left. MIR.
Stevens estates is understood to havo shrunk
severely with tho other falls IN values. But we
may trus. tho English to secure their dot. Tue
husband will get u very charming wlio. Lot us
hone that he will deserve her.
Ard while Mrs. Stevens has fairly eArnod the
success that has como to her endosvors. lot VI
hope that other American mothors will not De
driyon wild with emulation. We noed such
girls as Miss Minnie Stovons, with or without
their fortune. st homo. | can't refrain from al
Iuding to the romance Of tho thing with all tho
rest. From tho Now England House, at which
they still sell chops in tho most dingy. part OF
Boston, to tho society of Buckingham Palace, is
very long stride. 1t is as near the fabled sp:on-
dor OF trans formation in fairly taos as wo often
get nowadays Yankee sense and shrewdness
and Yankoo onrgy and persistence arc the magic
wands that wrought this poctaclo.-H0rDGTd
EsrCd;!.