The New York herald., 1879-02-10
MDONALD'S "SYLPH'S" STORY.
from the milwaukee sentinel. Feb. Al

fTrom the Milwaukee Sentinel, Feb. Al
friend OF hers lone of the party at the Plank
ington Housc) was Intercepted as to the in
which the acquaintance first sprung up between her
and the General II is an entirely version OF tho
affair and rather of the romantic. When Mcdonald
was stcambostng on the Mississippi River he noticed
young man by the nanfe of La Mothc who was oc-
cupying u subors.inate position his boat. In
Aothc Frcnchman by birth. full of impctuosity
and daringjust tho sort of that Mac admired.
Hc pushed him forward and finally had the satisfac-
tion of learning that his protege had purchased an
interest IN steamer and raised to the captaincy
OF her. When the war broke out he lost sight OF La
Mothe and did not hear OF him for years.
When Mcdonald was In the height Of his glory In
st. Louis ho one day received message from La
Motlc which he hastily responded to. He found his
former friend in the last stages OF consumption. La
Mothe realized that ho about To de, and ms n
parting request asked that Mcdonald interest him.
self in securing claim OF sorno $4,000 against tho
government for his steamer, which had gone down
while ia tho service Of the United states. The dying
maii felt confident that influential man as Nc
Donald woud experience no dimculty In securing tho
felt that he could die contented knowing that his
wife and child would be provided for. Mcdonald
pledged his word. and thought no more OF the CIR
sorne time after woman dressed In deep MOURN
ir,g called al his office aud asked II he had
money ior Ecr Mcdonald said he had not, and In
quircd who the visitor wns. She replied that she
was the widow Of Captain La Mothe and also intro
cral rem ebcred the death bod scene, and told tho
brother ami sister TO get rcndy TO 20 to Washington
Tho trio went 10 the national capital and. finally OBJ
tanning the money. returned. The widow was pro-
fuse In her thanks and offered Mcdonald bali the
sum for his services. lie laughingly refused tho
tender, ing that hc could make tho whole sum in
a week. Mrs. La Motlc went away with the remark
that abe would return tho kindness II opportunity
ever offered. Mcdonald, with his immense possess
sions, rdiculcd the idea that he would ever be In
want In tho course OF events however, he was inn
prisoncd, and one day found that high living In
prison had exhausted his ready cash. Hc tsle,raphed
his wife for money TO help secure his pardon. but
shc could not relieve him.
Then II was that Mrs. Ia Msthc who had visited
him daily, carrying all sorts of dccacies. stepped
forward aud offered to raise the whole amount, al
though II would leave her paupcr. After protest.
Ing, General and Mrs. Mcdonald consulted, and
finally aRrced to accept the loan the condition
that Mrs. La Motho would mako her home with them
until II was paid. She positively refused but in the
course OF time ut the urgent solicitation Of Mrs.
Mcdonald reconsidercd her decision, with tho ur-
dcrstanding that she was 90 enter the household in
tho capacity Of an assistant This was agreed to,
and Mrs. La Mothes wages fixed ut $25 per
month. She received this regularly until 3
month ago, when Mcdonald found himself '',ead
broke although, OF course tho amount will be forth.
coming.
This 10 the story told in behalf of Mrs. La Moths
and how materially 10 differs from subsequent ~
cRunts will readily be perceived. II IL ingenious. q
al svents.