The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-12-28
Russell Sage's Romance.


Russell Sage's Romance.
A bright, blue-eyed, curly-headed
youth might have been found between
1921 and 1880 on the streets of the vii
lage of Troy looking for an odd job.
His associate when business was dull
was the street gamin. His father,
Henry Sage, was poor man and was
unable to give his son Russell a thor
ough education. A loving mother,
however, had guided the early instincts
OF the youth, and when, at the early
age of nine, he was thrown upon the
world to seek his fortune he was pre-
pared to meet the trials and tempta-
tons thrown about him. Russell found
employment with large grocery firm
in Troy, not far from his own home.
He soon Developed an ambitious ten
dency, working industriously by day
and seeking to improve his little store
of knowledge at night. After few
years of earnest work he rose in the
estimation of his employers, and, at
the age of twenty, had won an excel
lent reputation, and was holding po-
sition of trust. Young Sage was fond
of society, and was g hail fellow well
met with chosen associates. Ten wears
of self-instruction had made him a
bright conversationalist, and his nat
ural oratorical powers advanced him
rapidly.
At this age Sage had become we'll
developed and, it is said by those who
remember him, a handsome man. The
Trojan bellies wed with each other in
their efforts to gain his attentions.
The rising man, however, was as sensi-
bic in his love as in business matters.
At twenty-five he waged conquest of
love in high life. Miss Annie Carman,
beautiful young woman, full of grace
and womanly instincts, had captivated
his heart. The parents of the fair maid
en- were among the wealthiest of the
aristocrats of the day, and young Sage
had little to offer in exchange save his
pure love and ambition.
1t was not the sort of match that
might be desired for the flower of q
highly aristocratic family, and although
the love became mutual, Sage deeraed
it unwise to make known his intents ons
to the parents of the young lady Until
he had improved his condition in life.
Meanwhile his ambition to rise led him
to enter into business of his own. He
made money and increased his circle of
friends among the better classes. He
soon became known as an industrious
and shrewd manager of wonderful
ability. He was mild and agreeable in
his intercourse, and soon afterward he
was given an important position in the
city Government. This he held for
seven successive terms.
Sage created favorable impression
on the parents of the young lady as he
advanced in the esteem of his assoc
ciates and constituents. At last he
sought an interview with the parents
of the gentle girl. He was met with
kindly greeting, and shortly after led
her to the altar. Mr.. Sage's welded
life was most happy. Shortly after he
rose to the position of President of the
First National Bank of Troy, and later
on was elected Treasurer of the county
in which he lived. In his early DAYS
Mr.. Sage showed the same characters
tics in business which are now so
prominent in the millionaire. For
these he was then chosen, as now, a
leader of large corporations. Many
stories OF his pecuniary closeness in his
early business career are told, but those
who knew him best say that a charitable
heart was beneath the hard exterior of
the business man. As fortune favored
him his contributions to charitable pur-
poses increased, and many substantial
checks found their way quietly to some
worthy institution.
In 1857 Mr.. Sage was elected to Com
gress, where he spent four years. On
his return again to business life he re-
moved to New York and entered Wall
street. He soon after became promi-
nent and successful leader and specu-
lator, his favorite role being that of
harmon;zar. In all his financial or po-
litical undertakings the woman whose
love had inspired all his early ambitions
never ceased to be uppermost in his
thoughts and affections. 1t was the
saddest day of his successful career
when the partner of his joys and sor-
rows was taken from him BY death. 1t
was some time before he recovered
from the blow and returned to the field
of finance, and when he did it was with
the determination to bury his sorrow.
His energies were devoted to the ac-
emulation of wealth. For years he
continued thus. With no family of
children or remnant of his once happy
fireside to cheer his declining years, all
earthly ambition had faded from his
life. His friends and Wall street asso-
ciates sought to enliyen him, and the
millionaire was never forgotten at the
banquet or reception. 1t was at one of
these social gatherings of the beauty
and wealth of high lie that Mr.. Sage
met beautiful and refined lady, Mss
Marguerite Olivia Slocum, who inn
pressed him with her charming, easy
grace and admirable qualities of mind
Not long after this little episode society
rejoiced that at last the heart of the
great financier had again been pierced
by Cupid's dart Now it would be hard
to find happier couple than the ami
mated gentleman of sixty and the
charming lady who may be seen any
pleasant afternoon between the hours OF
five and six, comfortably seated in one
of the finest equipages that adorn Fifth
avenue. IN. Y. Journal.