Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-21


FOR Miss MARGUERITE MORSE AND THE
EFFECr IT HAD ON HIS AFTER LIFE.
why Is Tilden a bachelor ?" asked
New York Journal reporter of one of Til
den's friends.
HE Is 80 old that very few can answer
the question. The idea of Uncle Sammy
in love would move most people to laugh
ter.
There is legend of mysterious lady
In black floating about, but Lord he was
40 settled and crusty bachelor even then
as you would care to see," said an aged
resident Of Yonkers. "You must 90 furth-
er back than me-"
Discouraging, surely! It would. in
deed, be difficult to find more sentiment
tally frigid or unromantic character than
the venerable sage of Greystone. One
naturally forms an opinion at the first
glance that the quizzical smile which usu-
ally wrinkles over the otherwise placid
countenance of Mr.. Tilden penetrates the
nature Of the inner man and lights up the
soul with ut least q ray of comicality.
When disturbed from such pleasant medi-
tations one is surprised to find how quick
ly his seemingly happy couutenance as
sumes cold and rigid aspect.
1t was not always thus. however. An
aged resident of the little quaker village
of New Lebanon. Columbia County, who
remembers the early youth of Tilden, when
with the village and farmer youths, he
played at marbles or roamed the fields and
mountains together, tells a curious tale of
the youthful days of this great man.
Samuel j. Tilden, it is claimed. was
born in the year 1905. His parents were
well TODD Quakers Of the renowned
Quaker settlement of New Lebanon. His
father. Elan Tilden. kept a country stor re
and dealt largely in herbs and patent
medicines" many of the latter being in
the market at the present day. Samuel
was the eldest of three sons He was a
sickly. puny youth, tall, slim and verv
shy. His early boyhood was made
wretched among his associates, who took
advantage of his physical deficiencies in
many boyish ways. This naturally drove
him to closer attention to his books, and
at an early age his proficiency at study
had entitled him to course at Yale.
While at Yale the father of Samuel sud-
denly died. The two brothers were retain
ed at home to assist the mother in continu.
ing the business. while Samuel remained
to complete his studies. At 10 he began
to attract attention rs writer of political
speeches and newspaper articles on topics
of Importance in State Government
Many of his articles appeared in the AL
bany Argus under the nom de plume OF
.'Crino-" The young student never en-
ioyed health. and the additional labors of
college life were more than his physical
abilities could Withstand. and at this early
stage in his career we find physicians
lowering about him and advising rest and
quietness. Then Samuel retired from
college to the more romantic life on the
homestead at New Lebanon, where he de.
voted year or more of his life to study.
ing the beauties OF nature and connecting
pills and plasters in the laboratory over
the Iilden store.
The rough usage which youths Of Sam
uel's nature were wont to receive at Yale
BY their associates probably had some in
fiuence on the future destiny of the man,
for when he recovered sufficiently to again
pursue his studies he chose to complete
his education at the New York University.
Here Samuel made rapid progress, but In
his new life met with an incident which
came near wrecking his ambitious career.
The young student found time to partic-
ipate in the festivities Of the gay city life.
He hsd gradually become known to his
associates and the leaders Of the demo-
cratic party rs political writer and critic
of some importance, and was . welcome
guest among the families of the better
class Of society. Men who hoped to gain
publicity through the pen OF Tilden court
\ ed his favsr. and he was the recipient of
mAnv courteous attentions IS well from
the ladies.
Miss Marguerite Morse was one of the
prettiest and most talented of city bellies,
whose hand many had sought in vain.
Miss Morse had thrown . radiant beam
across the pathway of young Tflden, .
pathway which had never been crossed BY
Cupid. For . time il seemed a. If the
Young student had lost all ambition for
learning. The new life WAS happy one.
His healthy was improving. His friends
and admirers were numerous. and withal
he was satisfied. He had become intoxi.
Gated with love. Young Tlden's ambi.
tons then turned toward gaining the hand
of this beautiful woman in marriage.
By no means an attractive figure, with
no fortune and very dim prospects, the
yoath had little or nothing to lay Ct the
feet of the lovely maiden. Nothing daunt-
Cd. Samuel was IN ardent suitor. raid
every conceivable attention to his adored
one. wrote poetry and prose BY turns, and
waged probably the most desperate con-
test OF bis life.
On the other hand. the naughty miss
had not. or could not. entertain . nav az
love for her sutton, and before Tlden was
aware Of his fate his lady love lad hem
led 70 the alter By . more pretsufious and
wealthy admirer.
The blow fell heavily. and for . time
threatened 10 entire change the course of