Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-29
How a school Teacher Assisted a New
Orleans Banker in Europe in Selecting
Presents for His Friends.

4 very romantic story reached the ears
Of a Leader reporter yesterday, involving
a former teacher in the public schools of
this city and a wealthy New Orleans
banker. The teacher is a lady Of refine
ment, and is very attractive of face and
form. During her vacation last summer
she accompanied an excursion party to
Europe. On the steamer she became
acquainted with pOrtly bachelor,
banker doing business in New Orleans.
He was also on n vacation. and beIngvery
agreeable soon made friends Of all the eX-
cursiOnists. He paid marked atten-
tiOu to the Cleveland teacher, and
prOmenaded with her upon the decks
very frequently. They talked of poetry, of
philosophy, but never of love, and passed
the time very pleasantly until the steamer
reached Queenstown. where all diSem-
barked, the eXcursiOnists going to London
and the New Orleans banker to Birming-
ham. Suddenly the banker appeared in
London and secured apartments at the
hotel at which the eXcursIOnists were
stopping. He was travelling alone, and
asked the advice of some of the ladies of
the party as to purchases he wished to
make for friends in New Orleans. The
school teacher accompanied him on sew
eral shopping expeditions in London. and
assisted in the selection of fine laces and
silks and elegant jewelry. Leaving Lon
Paris, where they were shortly
after joined by the banker. In
Paris the teacher again selected a
quantity of silks, bric-a-brac and fine pic
lures for friends of the bachelor in the
United States. A very pleasant time was
spent in the French capital, and what
ever places of interest that were visited
by the teacher were visited by the banker.
The two met at almost every turn, but
nothing was said by either that would have
led the other to believe that love had aught
to do with their frequent and apparently
unexpected meetings. From Paris the
eXcursiOnistS went to Rome, and on the
second day after their arrival the bachelor
banker registered at their hotel. In Rome
more purchases were made, and, after
being packed in great iron-bOund boxes,
were shipped to New Orleans.
The teacher was one day Frustrated with
the Roman fever. For DAYS she tossed
upon a deliTiOus couch. but the bachelor
saw that flowers and little delicacies and
nurses and doctors were always on hand.
Finally the teacher recovered, and after
thanking her kind friend for his goodness
TO her she turned her face toward America,
and Rome and the beaming features of the
big-hearted banker faded in the distance
as her ship plOwed its way through the
deep waters Of the Atlantic. "YOu were
alone and sick among strangers said the
bachelor to the teacher, just before she
left Italy. ''and as YOU kindly assisted
me in selecting little tokens for my friends
i'm New Orleans, l was determined to re-
pay YOU for your trouble and see that you
were properly cared for until you had re-
covered"
In due time the school teacher arrived
in Cleveland, still weak from her serious
illness. Shortly after the Board of Edu-
cation issued a solemn decree TO the effect
hat hn rarrh ia 10 Gh
a certain day. The schools opened, but
the teacher of whom this little story re-
lates was too i'll to be at her post. The
board generously granted, at a special
meeting called for the purpose, the sick
teacher a short furlough. But when the
time given her elapsed, she was still too
weak to assume her duties. The board
shook its large head impatiently, and de-
clared that it would give the teacher just
one week in which to get well. If
she was not ready then to take
her place her successor would be
appointed. Such action and Ian
guage bore heavily upon the sick teacher,
and instead of getting better she got worse.
The last day of grace was speedily pass
ing away, and the teacher, feeling still
too in to work, was gazing out of her
little window into the street below, Won
dering what was to become of her if she
was really turned out of her place. Pres
emily a carriage stopped below, and
gentleman rushed up the steps and gave
the bell jerk. The door was opened and
familiar Voice asked if''Aliss Laura -
lodged here" Being informed that she
did, the gentleman asked to see her, and
was shown into the parlor. 1t was IL
O'Clock before the banker took his
departure. and when he did he had
the promise that the teacher would
become his bride and assist him in
spending his vast wealth. The wedding
was sOlemniZed not over a month ago.
and the Cleveland teacher is now the mis-
trdss of one of the finest establishments
in New Orleans. When she was con-
Quoted to her elegant new home, the he
rOine Of this tale was surprised to see all
the laces. silks, bTic-a-brac, and pictures
which she had assisted in purchasing for
unknown friends in New Orleans spread
about IN a great room, and was still more
surprised when the happy groom told her
what she saw were his presents to his
bride. The moral of this true story is,
that all good looking, refined, and even
tempered school teachers should spend
their vacations in Europe.