The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-01-12
A Philadelphia Lawyers Fortune ana
MisfortuneS.

the following:
Toward the close of Pierce's Admin
istration society in Washington wa:
much agitated and interested by /,
. brilliant marriage of the daughter of /,
member of the Cabinet who then en-
joyed world wide fame as financiel
and political economist. This was Rob
ert j. Walker, man of remarkable in
tellectual acuteness, great research and
indefatigable industry. There was M
1ovelier or more attractive young WON
an than his daughter. Her mother, 8
Ineal descendant from Benjamin
Franklin, had contributed by her tai
ents and charms largely to the success
of her husband in politics, law and so.
cial advancement. The happy BRIDE
groom ON this occasion was a young
naval officer of one of the oldest creole
families of Louisiana. The marriage
ceremonies were of the most brilliant
character. The President, every mem.
Der of the Cabinet, the foreign minis
tiers, the Senators, in fine, all the
notabilities of Washington attended,
blessed and were enthused by the happy
scene of marriage that seemed so con-
genial, suitable, and felicitous.
After their marriage the young
couple went on the grand tour to Eu-
rope, and took up their residence in
Paris, where they sojourned for some
months. Their means were ample and
their circle of friends and associates
were of the highest social class. And
SO for some years the course OF
their married life ran smoothly,
until disasters, political, Sec
tional and financial, fell upon them and
their families. At the breaking out of
orr civil war, Robert j. Walker attached
himself to the fortunes of the North.
His son-in-law felt himself compelled,
by every obligation of honor, State pride
and duty to the ancient family of which
ne was member, to identify himself
with the South.
The consequent alterations and dis
cord led to their permanent separation.
The young wife retired with her child
to her mother and family in Philadel-
phia, and there resided for several years
in seciusion. In the meantime Mr.. Rob-
ert j. Walker had lost by the invest
ment in afailroad enterprise the large
fortune he had acquired by his profess
sional success, and at his death left his
family in narrow circumstances. His
widowed slaughtered. despite her ex-
treme reserve, could not fail to attract
the attention, sympathy and interest of
the friends of the father and mother.
Many advances were made by gentle
men OF wealth and prominence to en-
gage her favorable consideration of pro-
posals of marriage. She resisted, for
some time, all such advances. At last,
however, her friends and society were
astounded by the report that she had
accepted the hand of gentleman dis
tinguished in the profession and politi-
cal world, but cursed with deformity
and mutilation as repulsiye and revolt
ing as that of the yelled Mokanna OF
Moore's Lalla Rookh. In boyhood he
had fallen into the fire on his face, and
SO burned it as to present even now, in
advanced age, most pitable and hide
GUS aspect.
Those who are accustomed to make
summer visits and sojourns at Long
Branch have not failed to observe in the
parlors of the West End Hotel, on the
promenades and drives of that delight
full resort. the unhappy victim of this
cruel misfortune, in stout gentleman
pf good figure, of dignifed and grace
Hui carriage. but with face so blurred,
Scared and distorted as almost to con-
ceal and abolish all human resemblance.
and repel with disgust all advance to
closer observation and acquaintance.
Upon that gentleman's arm leans a
lovely woman, whose pale face still re-
talns the most refined and beautiful ex-
preston. and whose harmonious feat
nres and 1.-the and graceful figure may
be quickly recognized as those of the
beautiful Miss Walker, who twenty-five
years before, had enthralled all behold
ers and given her the unquestioned title
to the sweetest and prettiest girl in
Washington City. The marked atten-
ton OF the brilliant company at the
West End, through which they passed.
and the eagerness of all persons to ex-
change courtesies and engage in con-
versation with the gentleman and lady,
the attention and respect with which
everything which fell from the gentle
man was received by all listeners. be-
tokened the high consideration in which
he was held. To draw him into con-
versation and drink in every utterance
appeared to be the ambition of every
one.
''Who is that coupler would be the
natural inquiry of all strangers" that
terribly. mutilated and defaeed GENTLE
man and that unhappy daughter who
hangs upon his arm?n The ready an
swer would be, that gentleman is the
ablest, most eloquent and impressive
lawyer and orator OF Philadel-
phia, who for many years has led that
bar, and is the most agreeable and cap
tivating gentlemen Of the very polished
society OF that refined city. The lady
is the daughter OF Robert j. Walker, SO
distinguished in our political and finan-
cial history.
The Washington Republican adds to
the above the following concerning the
gentleman spoken of, whose name has
not heretofore been mentioned:
Hon. Benjamin Harris Brewster. the
eminent Philadelphia lawyer, who has
been in attendance upon the sessions of
the Criminal Court this week, bears
through life the marks of an accident
by which he was severely burned in the
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