The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-25
SUMMERS UNHAPPY MARRIAGE.
A Friends Account of His Short-Live Hap
piness.

A correspondent writes long letter in reply
to paragraph that appeared some time ago con
corning the widow of Charles Sumner. In that
paragraph it was stated that there was always
mystery about the divorce that Mrs Mason
obtained from Mr.. Sumner. This correspondent
declares that there was no mystery about 1t to
those who knew both the parties to the marriage,
and, among other things, says:
Mrs. Mason had money and beauty, but was
not an intellectual woman, and did not belong to
the circle of Boston society to which Mr. Sumner
had the entree. She was spoken of as afrivo-
lous, fashionable, society loving woman, ambi-
tious of the position in Washington society which
a marriage with Charles Sumner would give
her But she had the innocent, winning WAYS
which many pretty women, when they have an
object in view, exercise, and with them she ac-
compished her object and became Mrs. Sumner
She had married for Washington and intended
to enjoy it, and when Mr. Sumner, who
did not dance, would mildly suggest that it was
late, that he had important duties for the next
day in the Senate, and would like to &c home to
rest she would tell him TO go and she would
come when she had danced her list down. In
Mr.. Summers eyes this was too indecorous FOR
endurance, and too, with the prestige his own
endowments had given him in politics and litera-
ture, he naturally supposed there was an attrac-
ton about him superior to balls and society
beaus His self esteem was wounded, and his
sense of propriety shocked, and particularly so
when Mrs. Sumner chose a cavalier who could
attend her in society.
by the ADVICE OF TRENDS MI. sumner endured
his wlfe's whims for gayety, hoping one winters
surfeit would be sufficient; but when the actions
of his wife provoked the voice of scandal he
sought redress from official quarters The
youth whom Mrs Sumner had chosen for a ia
vorite was one of those younger English sons who
are attached to the British Legation that the po-
sition may give them opportunities in society
here which they could not otherwise have. Mr..
Sumner represented to the then Secretary
of State that this young Englishman had
stepped beyond his diplomatic duties, and
that his conduct was unbecoming a gentle
man and representative of her Majesty. The
matter was reported to the home government
and Earl Newcastle, personal friend of both
Mr.. Sumner and the Secretary of State in his
official character Secretary of Foreign Affairs
recalled his young countryman. This gave of
Tense in many ways to Mrs. Summer; she lost an
admirer who was her constant attendant, it de-
prived her of her personal liberty of action, and
implied that her conduct had met the disap-
proval of her husband and forthwith she asked
to be returned to her father-in-law, in Boston.
1t was afterward determined she should Join
sister living in Europe and there she has been
with her daughter, whose eligible marriage was
noticed little over year since. The Sumner
marriage and denouement were society talk for
a season. Mr.. Sumner had the sympathy of his
friends throughout the whole, and their approval
of his course in requiring the dismissal of the
English attache After Mrs Summers departure
he returned to the society of his more intimate
friends and appeared the same as in his bachelor
days"