The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-09-04
MRS. SPRAGUE.
! he Lady Makes Another Statement
-Conkling Defended by the Chill
dren Against Their Father
Some Solemn Denials.

We believe in fair play, therefore give the
woman's side of the story though truth to
say it doesn't greatly improve her standing
before the public
The witnesses to the scene between Gov.
and Mrs. Sprague, at Conductor Hale's
house, Narragansett Pier, on Thursday, say
that it was a stormy one on the governors
part. He said to his wife: Your man
hep" to which his wife made no reply.
Subsequently, speaking of Mrs. Sprague's
extravaganza, he asked: "Where is that
S 5000 you got recently? | suppose you
have sqandered all that?' A friend Of Mrs.
Sprague who was present, says that the wife
received these remarks for the most part IN
silence, and seemed more occupied In settling
the future of her children than 1ndulging in
mutual ordinations. She made no counter
charge of infdelity against the governor, as
was at first reported.
I have sent for you because l wish to cor
rect some false impressions. Ibid not charge
my husband with untruthtulness, nor did L
make verbal attacks upOn him, which l
have been represented as doing. On the
contrary,,I bore with meekness unmanly
sneers and reproaches showered upon me.
| have my story to tell, and when the truth
is known | shall be justified. For years l
have had this thing weighing upon me, and
have striven with all my might to stand be-
tween my husbands wrong doing and the
public. l have done it for the sake of my
children, not for any affection that existed
between us; for there has been none for gears.
This whole miserable affair into which Sena
tor Conkling has been dragged without a
particle of reason, originated in a business
transaction between himself and my hus-
band of
SO TRIVIAL A NATURE
that you would be astonished that any sane
man could consider it a source of jealousy.
For years [ have known him, from the time
/ was a child, and my husband has known
him tor years. WI years ago they were on
perfectly good terms. Up to that time his
name has never been mentioned by my hus-
band otherwise than with respect. A year
ago last ) uly Mr.. Sprague sent on to Wash
lngtOn a lot OF young colts and horses. He
wished me to use those [ wanted for riding
and driving and have the rest pastured near
the city. He came on himself and was look
ing about for a place to pasture them, when
MIR. Conkling told him of some farmer in
the neighborhood who was taking care of his
(Conkling's). horse: Mr.. Sprague accepted
the suggestion with pleasure. and Mr..
COnkling introduced him to the farmer.
When October came the man sent his
bill, which | forwarded to Mr.. Sprague, in
Rhode Island. The bill was sent again and
again. Then the man
APPLIED TO SENATOR
and then threatened to sue him. Mr.. Conk-
ling was finally forced to write to Mr..
Sprague, telling him the position in which
he was placed, and on a subsequent visit to
Washington again called on Mr.. Sprague
and asked him to settle it. He told nv
husband he could not be expected to paw
any lady's bills, least of all a married ladv's.
and that it would be an insult to propose it.
but that he (Mr. Conkling) would gladly
give M husband the money to pay it out
his pocket and let him repry it whenever he
would. That was the commencement of all
my husbands jealousy against Mr.. Conk-
ling.
How did Mr.. Conkling venture to come TO
Canonchet under the circumstances? He
came simply to use his influence with nv
husband to consent to a certain policy in the
management OF the estate, so l considered
there would be no improperly in his visit
ing us here tor that purpose. My husband
was constantly going and coming at intervals
ola few days and no effort was made to
conceal the fact of the Senator's visits from
him. l met the Senator after he landed
from the boat at ~Naragansett and told him
CndG his OH IrlenO MT. Martin was STOPPING
with us and that he should be pleased to
have him stop over at Canonchet. He came
and occupied
A ROOM ON H HIRD FLOOR
on Wednesday and Thursday nights proceed
ing the trouble. On Friday morning when
/ came down to breakfast l was told to my
surprise that Mr.. Sprague had come home
suddenly at 2 o'clock A. NJ, and had left
again. | paid no attention to this, however,
as his movements are
RAILWAYS VERY ERRATIC.
I had learned to be used to these freaks:
but MIR: Conkling, when told of the Cover
nor's visit, seemed surprised at such con-
duct. l though. no more of it, and busted
myself about my household affairs, while
Senator Conkling took a seat on the lounge
in the room and was looking over the news
papers. After giving my orders 1 turned to