Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-16

Dor. Boston Herald.
CLErELAED, O.. May Il, 1s8S.-"Did you
know that 1t was In this town that Kate Chase
and Gov. Sprague first metz" asked Col. Dick
Parsons, toying idly with an after dinner cigar,
as we sat to-day In the cosy library Of his home
on Prospect street. "Yes, sir, introduced
them myself and they fell In love with each
other right of 1t was at the time Of the I'M
yelling Of the Perry monument down In the
park early in the war. Gov. Chase and his
family alw avs stopped at my house when In
Cleveland, and Kate was visiting us then.
Over there, pointing to leather covered easy
chair In the corner. ''is where Gov. Chase used
to Sit, In the same chair and on the same
spot, and the room overhead he used to occupy.
We have always called it the Governors room
1t was In that chair that he decided to accept
the chief justiceship. He came here one night,
and We talked 1t all over. the reasons for, and
against his acceptance thought he ought to
take it. We sat up late, but before he went to
bed his decision was reached, and the next day
In this room he wrote out his acceptance. Gar
HERO came here the second day after his nomi-
hour or two talking about the nomination.. and
feeling pretty blue that day. Then he opened
his mail and answered q lot Of dispatches from
that table. About Kate Chase? Oh, yes; well,
the Perry ceremonies lasted over several days,
ending with ball at the kennard House. NV
wife and Kate and drove down in my car
riagc We had hardly entered the hall when
we met Sprague / presented him to the
ladies. He and Kate went off together, and for
the rest OF the evening whenever we saw
one OF item we were pretty sure to see
the other 1t was case Of mutual and instant
infatuation; and no wonder. Rhode Island had
sent deputatiOn to share In the celebration. be-
cause Parsons, of my family, by the way, and
who was Perrys right hand man in the fight on
the lake, was Rhode Islander. Sprague was
amended al nd q nd
of about 100, with fine band of music. They
made gorgeous display and stunning impress
sion. He was the only man in black clothes in
the whole party. and, being young and hand
some ana spiendidly surrounded, he seemed ex-
actly suited to Rates brilliancy and beauty for
she was not only the most brilliant girl but the
most brilliant woman ever met. Her yivacious
manner and graceful figure. clear complexion,
chestnut hair and expressive eyes command
ed every ones admiration. So was 1t
q wonder they took to each other?
remember very well how, when it was getting
late that night and we wanted to 60 home Kate
came over to US with Sprague and persuaded us
to stay longer. believe the celebration ended
with the ball. lean tremember whether Sprague
called here before he left for home but in any
event he went to Washington the next winter
Kate was living there. They met again, and
within year Of their introduction were mar
ried. believe that, meanwhile. Sprague he
came interested In widow, who afterward
fCu HCiC anu Ill UIQ uouSe Oh
avenue. now owned by the Union club. But
when Sprague and Kate met again the old fame
was famed. He forgot the widow. and we'd
ding soon followed They came here on their
bridal trip, and, of course, had the Governors
ROOM l don't know much Of the early period of
their married lfe because soon after the wedding
| went as consul to Rio de Janeiro, and didn't
hear about them, but some years before pub
ficity was given to their relation. Rates friends
knew that it had been hasty and mistaken
marriage. Sprague's dissipated habits, how
ever varied, were not all that made them I'M
happy. The truth was they were not of con-
genial temperament or disposition. AS far back
as 1873 or 1879 Kate informed me that their
relations for two years had been of the most
distant character. aud long before that they had
ceased to be attractive to each other. 1t was
sad, indeed, that one so well fitted to make
home paradise should have found 1t pur-
gatory, and, while all her friends deplored the
misfortune, it was but natural that We should
have been gratitied when at last the certainty
appeared Of her release from a mismated alli-
ance. The mistake was discovered and the end
foreshadOwed long before Conkling appeared
upon the scene in any capacity"