The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-07-25
Faithful to the First.

The recent death in Paris of Mr.. Cass,
son of General Lewis Csss, has revealed
a bit of sentimental romance not com
mon in these later days, and which is
thus related by writer in Ltpp incotts.
Mr.. Cass resided in Paris several years,
and resumed in that brilliant capital an
acquaintance which had begun in the
little frontier town Of Detroit more than
forty years before. Miss Emily V. Ma
son (now we'll known as an authoress,
TT aveler and educatinnisD when just
blooming into womanhood. presided
over the ggubornatorial mansion at De.
troit, the capital of the then Territory of
Michigan, of which her brother was the
Governor. The family of General Cass,
the most distinguished citizen ~ tn.
Northwest, and the family of Governor
Mason were united by the closest ties Of
friendship. and Of course the Genaral's
son and the Governors sister were
thrown much together. Young Ca>s
formed an ardent, and, as it has provej, "a
lasting attachment for the dashing Ken
lucky girl. The death of Governor Ma
son obliged his sister to return 10 her
fathers house before the lover lad de-
clared himself.
Years passed: Mis- Masons father
and mother died. Refusing the many
wealthy homes that were offered her, she
determined to be independent and sup
port herself by her own hands. A small
market farm was purchafed in Fairfax
county, Virginia. Here the daughter of
General Mason, assisted by the children
of widowed sister, earned laboripus
livelihood. Their home became 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 de-
stroyed; its innocent inmates were
forced to fly. Miss Mason went to Rich
mond and devoted herself to the sick,
wounded and dying soldiers. C)nfeder-
ates and Federals shared alike her gentle
ministrations. At the close of the war
she entered new field of bencvolence-
the education of Southern orphans.
Many young girls have been thus en-
abled to earn an honorable and respect
able living.
For some years Miss Mason has been
residing abroad, chiefly in Paris. Here
she met once more Mr.. Cass, the lover
of her youth, now an old man. He had
lived in France so long that he had ac-
quired much of the tender gallantry of
a Frenchman, and, in asking his first
love to be his last, he begged her to hon
or him by consenting to be his widow.
But Miss Mason had long resolved not to
marry, and so informed her faithful adj
mirer. He bowed to her decision and
accepted the position of friend. Mr..
Cas- had told his confidential 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.
A telegram was sent to Miss Mason, who
was travelling in Spain, and she immed-
ately returned to Paris. Mr.. Cases will
was opened. To Miss Mason he be-
queathed six thousand dollars, his watch
and three diamond rings, making her
joint executor of the will, and requesting
her as a last favor to convey his remains
10 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 modest monument should be
erected, with suitable inscription. Miss
Mason will carry out the last request of
her dying friend.-Heme Journal.
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