Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-07-16
&tirginia 3vee 9mss,
IL y. d ". ". b. GAILiN&R, Editors.
Charlcstown, Jefferson County B'esf Va.
July 10, 1881
Jnlu 10, 1881.
4 Romantic RECOLLECTION oJ Youth Re
CtrPt.

20 ..tf- ..
The following IS from the Charlottesville
" Chronicle" 1t may arouse the curiosity
of our readers to tell them that the gentle
man alluded TO is a prominent citizen OF
Staunton. who is still as fine looking as
many younger men, but who, as be salutes
scores Of his fellow citizens daily with grave
mein, would hardly be suspected Of having
had. like the rest Of us, more than one af-
fair Of tho heart in his younger days;
F'e-ty years AGO Virginia yonth was in
TIE city Of Philadelphia, attending college.
Through the courtesy Of friend, also from
this state he twas INTRODUCED tc n most at
tractive vou~r lady-WhQse rare hearty OF
person fiscinatinc manners,. intellectual
cndowmonts and literary culture drew to
her side . host e admiyerr, not few d!
whom were drawn from Ter side 10 her fee.
Is suitors for her heart and hand. It WAS
not long before theyoung Nirginan was a
monr the most interested Of the young cap
tiycs who lived in her society and basked
in the sunshine Cf her smiles. In thephras-
colocv # modcrn college society, which, Tor
aucht we know my have hada co -nt~r. art
III the -larg Of that day the charming rnil-
adclphia girl had "mash" on the Virgin
ia boy, ana the consequence Yae On utter
neglect Of his studies md afgcfuent cutting
of his lectures, which did not give promise
Of a diploma" ut the end of the session.
Winter was progressing, and night after
night. when be should have been graphing
GcccI roots and struggling with intricate
mathematical problems, he was attracted
hv m irresistible fascination to the little
parlor on thc C,ici street where thc Queen
of Love and Beauty held her court and
dispenscd her fayors. lie was welcomed
there. and who knows but that the current
Of two lives might have been changed had
the Winter lasted al the year. There came
an end, however, not only to the Winter but
10 the COLLEGE session. and with II 70 the as
sociations which had grown into intimacy
between thcyouug Nirginian and the charm
ING companion he had found in the Quaker
CITY. He returned 10 his Southern homie,
and there began seriously TO meditato on
the future. lie realized the fac' That his
studies had been neglected, his opporiuni-
ties wasted, and he plainly toresaw that on
his return the following session he must
give up calico or relinquish all hope OF
"shccpskin." Returning o. Philadelphia
he never renewed his acquaintance with
the Young lady, applied himself diligently
10 study rnd easily obtained his degree
shortly thereafter he married a Virginia Ia
d.. achieved distinction by q successful pro
fcssional career, and is now surrounded by q
group of children and grandchildren. And
now for the sequel
For forty wears cUr Virginia GENT man
i Raf he1r1 nothing Of his formo- fascinating
ccCreintance in Philadelphia, when one
day elancirr over the columns Of news
paper. ne noticed the contemplated mar
riarc of Mr.. Ashmcad Bartlett 70 Che liarO-
ness Rurdcttc Coutts. The ramc Ol tEc
Young American rekindlcd iH his memory
/ the rccollcctions Of the past, and very nat.
urally excited speculation, often INDUCED
/ before. rs 10 the carecr of the Young lady
! whose brilliant parts garcruchtcir promise
| If 2 shining future The spccilations ccas..
/ ed with the pcrrsal Cf the paragraph, 9nd
were FIT renewed until g few months $50
wher conuumation of the marriage icd ~
thc publication Of the family history 1
+ Mr. Bartlett, f1om which il app-arcd thai
/ his mother was @ Miss fshWca6, of fh'a
dclphia, :. Possibly she is my charming
. acquainta7 CO IF college da!s, thought hcl
oudndam almircr. and IS the su-st
anickest md must satisfactory way e. inc
out ! Vill DO 70 harm to address letter ol
inq,ii-y 20 the lady herself" lie carrie,
his resolution into i'am late execution
and received prompt reply to his letter
His sugmisc proved to be correct: Irs
BARTLETT is indeed The yeritable sophie. h'
well-nigh charmed him out of biz = ioml;:
FORTY wears AGO. She ffmembc-s hiFl well
reraU. MANY ineidcuis Of bygone days
and makcs inquiry in regard to the oihe
yorur Gentleman from Virginia, Who va
a,nanF de numbe-s Of bcr admirers. Sh
i ling duictly ia ruyal England, happy
in the prosperity and distinction Of he
two sons. one Of whom il member ct th
British Parligmcnt aud the other TIE hu.
Is,d al rhe richest woman iu England.