The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-01-03
Jenny LIMBS Lover.

village; and it has been a halliday not
ill spent. We have heard sad story
"a veritable romance of real life-a
story in which the world-famed song
stress. Jenny Lind, figures prominently.
Among the earliest settlers who came
over from Holland to make their homes
in the Esopus valley were the Van
Steenburghs; and of all the old Dutch
families who constitute the aristocracy
of this section even up to this time
none have ranked higher or won fairer
fame. More than one of the family
connections have figured conspicuously
in State and National politics; one has
represented his country at foreign
court, another secured lasting glory at
Cerro Gordo, while the =" family tree''
dearest property of every old Hol-
lander) shows the direct relationship of
President Martin Van Buren,.
When Sir Henry Clinton's British
marauders burned Kingston, in 1777,
the only building left unhurt was the
old stone manor-house of the Van Steen-
burgh's. In this house-still standing
was born the man whose history we
have learned to-day.
Tobias Van Steenburgh was likely
lad, intelligent, active, wide awake,
with much OF, the Yankee, nervousness
which 4ad been b1pight into the family
by the Vermont lass whom his father,
in early manhood, had taken to wife.
Years passed and the youth developed
into a strong, energetic, thrifty man.
He was of fine physique and excellent
manners, and it soon became thorough
ly understood that he had won the troth
of a handsome girl in the neighboring
village of Rhinebeck. His prospects
were indeed bright. The lady to whom
he was devoted was heiress to proper
ty second to none in all the /" four coun-
ties;'' and to this matter of filthy lucre
she of herself brought beauty, intelli-
gence and sterling worth. Her fortu-
nate lover was envied on all sides.
A day was appointed for the mar
riage, and it was only few weeks pre-
yious to that proposed date when the
young people together made a trip
down the Hudson to New York for the
avowed purpose of attending to certain
purchases preparatory to the wedding.
They reached New York to find that
city wildly enthusiastic over the APP
pearance of Jenny Lind. The young
lady expressed a desire to see and hear
the singer whose name was first on
every lip; Tobias protested; he didn't
like professional singers; machine
noises bored him; there never was but
one person who could sing, anyhow,
etc. The young lady blushed acknowl-
edgment of the compliment; but go to
hear Jenny Lind she would; and, what
was more, her sutton should go too.
She went, and so did he.
All know of the manner in which the
Swedish nightingale raptured her
auditors in those days when she first
made America glad with her song. Her
triumph over Tobias Van Steenburgh
was a complete one. The second song
was not at an end when, as though
dazed, he arose from his seat, abruptly
left his fair companion, and pushed to
the front of the hall. His betrothed
waited long for his return; but her
watch was in vain-she saw him no
more that night. The next day she re-
turned alone to her Rhinebeck home,
and the village gossips struggled with a
nine days wonder. They never met
again as lovers. For weeks he re-
manned in New York, the constant
devotee of the singer; he attended her
every concert, paying heavily for a
prominent seat, and his applause was
ever heartiest and longest continued
Each day he sent her a handsome
bouquet of the costliest flowers; her
abiding place was his; and wherever
she went, there, except when it was
positively impossible, he followed. He
was as her shadow; and there is reason
to believe that Jenny Lind did not de-
spise the man who was thus doing her
so great obeisance. But at last there
came an end to the royal manner in
which he was conducting himself his
purse was depleted, nor would those to
whom he looked for aid afford him any
advances. He retured to Kingston, but
he found only the most emphatic con-
domination for the manner in which he
had treated the pure-souled girl who
had loved him to the full. Then it be-
came evident that Tobias Van Steen-
burgh was changed man; his wits
were not as they had been-he seemed
to know of nothing and would talk of
nothing save Jenny Lind.
His conduct became village talk, and
there were not few willing to aver
that he was indisputably bereft of rea-
son. Going back to New York, he re-
manned there as long as Barnum kept
the singer at the front; but his fortune
had altered, and he could no longer in:
dulge the extravaganza that had pre-
viously marked his course. But his
passion was not deadened; and on the
street, in public halls, in the hotels,
wherever he could obtain a listener, he
enthusiastically prated of his one SUBJ
iect. He had become insane-there
was no doubtingit.
He Rugged TO his breast the delusion
that Jenny Lind returned his love and
would soon consent to be his wife. He
could perceive but one impediment-he
INDUCED the fear that the pianist who
accompanied the singer to this country
was a rival. Parties willing to profit
bv a practical joke confidentially added
their Endorsement to this idea. The
consequence was that, while the music
al foreigner was pacing up and down
his hotel corridor one afternoon, he was
AAN~