Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-09-22

10 a carriage, sent a hutter OF
excitement tittillating over the
sensitive surface of u%pper-crust So
ciety. From talking Of them, gossips
soon began to talk at them, in deli
cate innuendo and sly railery. When
the two families drove from Senator
Sharon's mansion, at Belmont, to the
palatial residence of the Floods at
Menlo park, society's gossipy van
guard slyly but metaphorically poked
young Ulysses under the filth rib
with Its %jocular first finger, and asked
him how be thought the house would
suit him, and looked wonderfully sly
and knowing. The young people,
however, kept their own counsel, if
they had any to keep at this time, and
society could get no further than as
sorting that they we're deep in love
with each other that their engage.
ment was certain, if not already made,
and that their marriage was only a
q Ot time. These stories re-
ms he'd In the chrysalis state of mere
rumor until after the Grants left for
the east. They received a color Of
confirmation when the Floodsfollowed
themafew weeks later and Joined them
in the east, attending the Chicago
convention, where it was expected
Grant would be nominated for
the presidency for the third time.
On their return society was glad
dened by the authoritative announce
ment OF the betrothal of the second
son Of the illustrious house with the
daughter Of the magnifcently wealthy
one. Even their motives we're freely
canvassed, hers bling set down by i'll
natured gossips to vaulting ambition,
his to sordid desire; ana it was pre-
dicted if Grant failed of the presi-
dency, or Flood got cornered and
pinched in stocks, the match would
b. broken of. No announcement Of
this character ever created more in
terest in this country. II was the
subject OF as much remark in this
country as ever was the betrothal OF
heirs apparent TO the proudest crowns
in Christendom. The incoDgruous
religion of the two, their standing,
prospects, personal appearance and
characteristics, were freely com
mented upon, and politicians far re-
moved above the gossippy concerns Of
society" gravely considered the
probable political consequences Of
the union. The nuptial desti.
MES Of the sprouts Of the
houses of Hapsburg, Hanover or Ho.
henzollern was never more widely dis.
oussed. The ordinary movements 0.
tae young couple we're considered
weighty matters enough to warrant
wiring them across three thousand
miles OF continental expanse, and
cabling the bresdth of an ocean to lay
before the mindsOt the civilized world.
Nothing they did was considered toe
uuimportant for serious consideration,
and the two worlds we're anxious tc
know when the momentous union was
to be effected. Various stories we're
soon ah0at regarding the wedding day.
First it was said that it was TO be
some day 10 the coming October.
Then rumor bad it beyond doubt that
the winner was TO be the time of the
wedding. Nextthe budding spring
was to be the fitting naptial period.
Then the period became indefinite.
depending upon certain concomitan;
conditions, and only the fact Of the
engagement remained certain. 1t was
announced that Nh. Flood had pur-
chased, for 500, 900, "Malbone,n the
renowned seaside residence Of Mrs.
Bedloe, and that it was intended as a
present fer the young couple when
they should pair with the birds in the
spring. It was also stated that the
wedding was deferred because the new
mansion Jf the Floods at Menlo would
not be completed until that time, when
it was intended that the old folks
should occupy it. and e%vacuate the
old one for the occupation Of Ulysses
and his bride.
While public curiosity was in this
unsatisfactory condition, society
here was thrown into a feyerish ex-
citement by the sudden, unexpected
and unannouneed arrival Of the
younger Ulysses about & month ago.
Why be csme here was a mystery to
every one who had no business to
know, and who was naturally on that
account all the more anxious to find
out. In lieu of a better reason to ac.
count for this sudden appearance, 50.
ciety circulated the theory that he
bad come out TO attend the wedding
Of his brother Jesse, who will lead
Miss Lizzie Chapman to the altar
some time this month, as we'll as tc
crafty a romantic longing to be with
his betrothed a few blissful days
Society was confirmed in the latter
conjecture by his constant ate ndancG
on his betrothed, aud cried in eestacy
"Ob. how nice and romanticl" and
society's fair daughters envied Mis-
Jennie's lot. When a few days aftei
his arrival it was announced that Mr.
and Miss Flood lad gone to the Gle.
CANT summit mansion Of the Widow
Hopkins in the Sierras, and that
Ulysses, jr., was to join them there
and pass the remaining days o
his brief soiourn here in tina
sylvan scene, among the soughinl
pines. the limpid streams. III,
cloud-capped hills, and all tina
sort of romantic thing, society wa
blissfully exalted. II was the las
swect dream before the awakenin.
douchu Of disappointment. Younl
Grant fingered in the city instead O
seeking sylvan Sierran shades ther
he disappeared, going east as suddenly
as his coming. The bonanza peopl,
returned to the city, the magnificent
diamond engagement ring disappeared
from Miss Jennie's finger, and societ,
was paralyzed with the sudden an.
Douncement that the engagement hac
been finally aud definitely broken off
AZ soon as society caught its breath
iieiin it began TO enquire for the rea.
sons, but could get nothing satisfac
tory in that way except the unques
tionable fact that the bands we're off
Upon the astounding result that all
parties are agreed, but there is q wide
difference in the statements Of the
friends Of the two parties regarding
he causes which produced the nup-
il catastrophe. The version Of Miss
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