Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-05
GANBErTA's LOVE STORY.
i Genuine Romance of Politics, Passion
and Fidelity.

and Fidelity.
Paris Correspondent N. Y. World.
While Gambetta was alive the Figaro
did everything in its power to accredit the
absurd stories which were forever floating
about concerning his private life. A libel
entitled like the De Musset romance)
"Elle ct Lui," published after the accident
at Les Jarides, long and graphic account
was given of how tho great statesman was
shot by woman, the description Of whom
was as fantastic as the tale itself was fabu-
lous. Now that poor Gambetta can no
longer be hurt by attacks upon what he
held dearest in the world, the Figaro has
decided to tell the truth and shame the
devil. 1t has at last put an end to the
contradictory runiors in an article entitled
lie Roman de Gambetta." The points
were given by an. Etienne, an intimate
friend of the Belleville Deputy; SO that
will probably be accepted as the last word
of this rather delicate affair. Here are the
simple facts out of and upon which so
many mysterious complications have been
woven and embroidered. During the
war of 1870 Nile. Leonie Leon, then twenty
years of age, came to live in Paris with her
mother, the widow of a colonel in the
French army. Nile. Leon took tbs great
est interest in Gambetta's career, believing
him destined to fill the highest positions.
At the end of the war she wrote letter
after letter to her idol, begging for an in
terview, under the pretext that she had i'm
portant communications to make.
Gambetta was so puzzled by the girls
persistence and so struck by the remark
able personal and political observations,
mingled with the admiration expressed by
her for the future dictator, that he entered
into q continued correspondence with his
clever disciple. The letters were followed
by interviews, which gradually ripened in
to friendship, and that into love which
lasted uninterruptedly up to the moment
of his premature death.
For long while Gambetta had been
anxious to "regularize the position of
Leonie, as they say here. Several times
he proposed to marry Nile. Leon, but
each time she distinctly refused, saying it
was too late. "Ten years ago it would
have been possible, but now, amidst the
jealousy and envy you provoke marriage
would be drawback to your career. I
sacrificed myself voluntarily to you; don't
marry me'' But Gambetta remained firm
HI Ills " I1f al AOI ROAOIOSl-
ty. Last year, while on a visit to the
Chateau de Crete, he told his father he
was to be married the following April.
For those who knew the two men this an
meant that nothing on earth
could change Leon Gambetta's decision.
Mile. Leon is a tall, slight brunette of
distinguished bearing and manner. She
talks we'll, reads great deal and is ex-
tremely we'll educated. At present she is
living with her mother in a badly fur
nished apartment on the fourth floor of
No. IA Rue Souflot. Gambetta, as every
body knows, died intestate, the doctors
having kept him in ignorance of his true
condition for fear OF giving him what
they termed ''serious shock" His en-
tire fortune, estimated at about a million
of francs therefore went to his legal
family.
Nine. Leon and his daughters have
nothing beyond the small pension which
the Government allows the widows Of
officers. Mile. Leon is uncertain as to her
future movements, but she will probably
beiguided by the advice of Gambetta's old
friends, among whom MN. Spuller, Banc,
Proust and Etienne, are determined never
to abandon one whom they consider as the
deceased patriots widow.
Until after his death the following fact
was kept a secret even from Gambetta's
most intimate companions:
At the beginning of the friendship be-
tween Nile. Leon and himself they agreed
to write each other daily. Every night
during a period of ten years Gambetta reg
ularly wrote long letter, giving Leonie
his opinion upon the political, parliamen-
tary and foreign events of the day. In
fact he wrote for her his memoirs from
day to day. On her side Nile. Leon sent
daily answers, in which she discussed the
smallest political details and gave him
advice, which was often asked and fol-
lowed. In . letter written before the for
nation of what was called the Great
Ministry" she prophesied the short dura-
ton of the cabinet and implored Gambet-
ia not to fall into the trap which his enc
mics had laid for him.
The whole correspondence is in the
hands of this modern Egeria, who may
some day make it public; though, accord
ing to the accepted fashion in matters of
this kind, not, perhaps, until the people
who meet with harsh treatment at Gam
betta's hands are beyond either resentment
or self defense. During Gambetta's life
time Mile. Leon took great interest in the
German question. She read Bismarck's
speeches with the minutsst care, often
pointing out important passages, which in
the press of business her friend and teach
er som etimes overlooked.
Besides rectifying the mistakes about
Mile. Leon the Figaro has also put an end
to the popular belief that Gambetta had a
son, or sons, as there were two boys con-
nected with this legend. Leon Jouznot
who walked Immediately behind the hearse
on the day of the funeral, was the son OF
Gambetta's sister, Nine. Leris, by former
marriage. The second boy, who was otter
seen at Les Jardies, and whom Gambetta
visited in Germany, was the son of sister
of Nile. Leon.
The dudine, the female dude, has ap
peared in New York, The dudine wears
mashed gooseberry colored hat and higl
collar; her clothes are a tight fit from
neck and hand to bottom: she carries
sharp pointed parasol in lieu of the dudt
cane, and is often accompanied by al
English pug terrier. Whether she will ex
cite the same amount sof interest aroused
by the dude is doubtful. Half the beaut,
of the dude is in his legs. These, covered
with skin-tight trousers, are fascinating il
their artistic Coz our and graceful fexiblli