Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-07-09
A White House Romance
Washington Letter.

Washington Letter.
| heard this romancc to-day in con-
nection with a young lady who was
an OCCUPANT OF the White House dur.
ing Jackson's time. and who was
married IN the East Room:
Mary Easton was the daughter of q
sister OF Gen. Jackson's wife. She
went to live with her aunt for time
IN the Executive Mansion. At her
home in Tennessee she had PLAYED
when child with a boy companion
named Pope. The two became warm
~ attached 10 each other, and as they
grew the attachment became strong
affection. While it was apparent to
both that they loved each other. Pope
did not ask his companion to become
his wife
Miss Easton came TO Washington.
Her position and her intelligence and
accomplishments made her doubly
attractive IN society. Young officers
IN the army and IN the navy were be-
side her at every opportunity. Capt.
Finch took the lead. He pressed his
suit, proposed, and was accepted. He
was possessed Of considerable means
and gave her handsome presents. The
wedding day approached. Invitations
were sent to the friends Of the young
people, asking them to come TO the
White Honse to witness the ceremony.
The prospective bridegroom went to
New York to get his prospective bride
her wedding present.
Of the invitations sent to Tennessee.
one fell into the hands Of young Pope.
1t famed the smothering love within
his bosom into q flame. He wrote to
Miss Easton, told her of his love since
childhood for her. He said that time
and again he had been at the point of
asking her to be his wife, but on each
occasion his modesty had prevented
him. Now he repeated his love, and
legged her 10 become his bride.
Miss Easton read the letter and inn
nediately replied, accepting his of
fer.
Capt. Finca returned from New
York, bringing with him q costly dia-
mond ornament. He called at the
White House to see the young lady
occupant. She was in her room with
a companion who was to be her brides
maid when his card rec ched her.
Tell him | can not see him." she
said to her companion.
The latter went to tho private par
lor where Capt. Finch was seated, and
after some hesitancy, said that Miss
Easton was indisposed. The captain
was alarmed, begged for more infor-
nation of the indisposition, and asked
that the present he had brought be
taken to the invalid. The young lady
carried the diamond ornament to her
companion. When Miss Eastoa re-
ceived it she turned to her companion
and said:
Go take it back to him, and tell
him all. Tell him I am engaged to
another"
The young lady did as requested.
When she had finished her errand
Capt. Finch arose, and without utter
ing a word, left the parlor.
Gen. Jackson was angry when he
heard of his wife's relations action
toward his friend Finch. He had IA
vored the match. In speaking to Miss
Easton ne said: This action of yours,
Mary, has caused me to lose faith in
woman" He insisted that Capt.
Finch should be invited to Aer mar
riage with Pope.
The wedding came off. The reject
ed lover was present. He stood di-
rectly in front of the bride during the
ceremony, and never took MS eyes off
her until with her husband she left
the room. Shortly afterward he went
to Europe. When he returned he
bore the name of an uncle-a wealthy
Englishman. Mrs. Pope moved to
Tennessee. She is said to be living
there now, happy, with her children,