The Bossier banner., 1879-04-24
BAYARD TAYLOR.

His Native Town-Reminiscences of His
Youth-His Marriage to Mary Agnew.
A correspondent of the Chicago Times,
writing from Kennett Square, Penn,
says:
Any one inquiring for particulars con-
cerning Bayard Taylor's boyhood III
this town would be invariably referred
to one who is known, familiarly as
household word, as Samuel Martin.
Mr.. Martin is, probably, the Oldest sur
viving school-teacher in Chester Coun-
ty. Mr.. Martin, who is Quaker now
in his 77th year, came into the neigh
porhood and taught his first public
school about q mile south of Kennett in
1928.
While Bayard Taylor, the smart,
promising boy in his teens, was win
ming laurels right and left in school and
literary societies among the people of
Kennett and the surrounding country,
there was one in the same neighborhood
who was his equal in talent. This was
Mary Agnew. She was the only daugh-
ter of well-to-do farmer. People who
knew her unite one and all in her praise
for brightness and amiabiity. Samuel
Martin, having shown me Bayard Tay-
lor's name in his antique ay-book took
up another not less aged, and turning
the time worn pages came to Mary Ag-
new. Glancing at the head of the page
the date showed "May, 1843." Sam
uel Martins eyes grew dim behind his
glasses as he pointed to her name.
"Mary was my smartest pupil" he
said. ssYes, she was as smart, as tai
ented, as Bayard Taylor. Those two
those two were the brightest pupils l
ever had. Bayard was quiet, studious
boy. Mary was sweet, modest little
girl, as amiable child as ever lived.
She first began to come to my school
after started the academy in the town.
The date, as you see, is 1843. Mary
was then Is or 16 years of age"
The tastes of Bayard Taylor and Mary
Agnew being so similar they naturally
became fond of each other. 1t was at
the literary society that their equality of
intellect and inclination became more
manifest. Bayard was apt at writing
compositions. So was Mary. Bayard
was passionately fond of reading. So
was Mary. On occasions when the two
would read essays or compositions at
the literary society on the same night,
the judges would be puzzled to know
how to decide. Often the dilemma
would end in the declaration that it was
a tie. People could not make differ
ence between them. Mary was regard
Cd as prodigy of her sex, as Bayard
was of his. Every body liked Mary
Agnew, as every body liked Bayard
Taylor.
Bayard was about two years older
than Mary. As they grew they were
more and more in each others society.
People began to smile and prophesy q
match, and this prophecy came true.
Before Bayard Taylor, at the age of
about 10, set out on his memorable trip
to Europe, of which "Views Afoot :" is
one of the results, they became engaged.
Bayard was absent for about three
years. During that time the young
lovers corresponded regularly. Mary
continued at school in Kennett, distin-
gushing herself more and more as time
passed. When Bayard Taylor returned
from Europe, reassured and more con-
creased popularity, calls to lecture be-
gan to flow in. Among the first OF
these was one from West Chester. Bay
ard, upon his return, had gone direct to
his home at Kennett, where he had been
received with an enthusiasm nothing
short of on ovation. Among the proud
est and happiest of those who greeted
him was his betrothed, Mary Agnew.
1t happened that the night appointed
for the lecture at West Chester was cold
and wet. Bayard took Mary with him.
The distance is about 12 miles over
country roads. During the trip Mary
caught a cold. Nothing serious was
thought of it at the time. In few days,
however, there was q hacking cough,
and the literary entertainments and SO.
cial gatherings of the neighborhood, in
which Mary Agnew had always been
one of the brightest attractions, began
to see her less and less. The bright,
amiable child of Kennett Square, when
her name was mentioned by the neigh.
bors, now was mentioned with 8
sorrowful shake of the head as "Pool
Mary Agnew;" and not unfrequently in
the same breath would be heard the ex.
preston, "Poor Bayard." Even the
old church where Mary Agnew's face
had been known from childhood begar
to know her no more. Consumption
had begun its work from the first slight
cold when she went to hear her lovers
lecture. At length Mary Agnew tool
to her bed, and never rose from it again
At her own request she and Bayard were
united in marriage few days before
she died. That was 20 years ago. In
Kennett Square to-day Mary Agnew's
name is as familiar as Bayard Taylor's
All who speak of her even now speak Of
her in tones of reverence. There was
SO much about her that was lovable that
at the time of her death there was griei
AMONG the npiOhhore oc tho,rb che ho