Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-11-18
a voted beauty.

Sam Ward, afterward the king OF the
lobby In Washington, was, when
young man, the leading gallant OF New
York City. He soon made q conquest
of Miss Astor, the daughter of the then
greatest millionaire on the continent,
and married her. Mrs. Ward died very
SOON after marriage, and Sam again ap-
peared upon the town in the role OF
young, gay, and rich widower. at TINS
time the greatest beauty of the South,
perhaps of the whole continent, Medora
Grymes, made her debut in New York
society. The figure, neck and arms OF
Medora Grymes we're so fauitlessly per-
feet that she was constantly sought for
by artists and solicited by friends to
have them copied, both on canvas and
in marble. Her eyes were OF a dark
olive, as rare as it Is beautifui-men ap-
preciate it-large. and when in repose
had dreamy expression, which was
probably owing TO the unusual length
of her eyeIashes; the face was oval; the
complexion rich olive; the eyebrows
somewhat heavy, but SO perfect in their
outlines and arch that none others
would have seemed in keeping. Her
head was of such shape that she could
wear her hair in any style. and 1t was
hard to tell which was the most becom-
ing. She sometimes appeared with 1t
worn in antique Greelan fashion, SIM
ply brushed back over her ears and
braided in n simple kro. behl2d, the
most trying style IL which il can be
worn, But she was always the aGn1lTa-
ton of the men, too often the envy OF
the women. 4 creole by birth, the
daughter of the celebrated lawyer, John
e. Grymes, of New Orleans, she inherI-
ted from him taste for study, and she
soon became mistress of the French.
Spanish and italian languages. At "a
later period OF her life, while educating
her sons in Germany, she acquired 4
knowledge of the language of that
country. From Le- mother she inheri-
ted vivaciiy and liyeliness of manner,
united to quickness of apprehension
which was attracted by anything biz
ARE or humorous, and caused many
scintillation OF wit, which, however pun
gent, never wounded. Her musical
education was carefully attended 10,
and she retained all her skill aud pow
ers during her whole lie. Her voice
was remarkably fine and-proud as she
undoubtedly was of her arm-she made
the study OF the harp speciality and
often used it as an accompaniment.
1t was not long before 1t was an
nounced that Miss Grymes was engaged
to a young Frenchman, hearing a title,
though a member of wealthy house in
Paris, of which he was the representa-
tive In New York. and 1t was an accepted
fact by the friends of both parties that
such was the case. At this period Sam
Ward appeared upon the boards, and
soon became an acknowledged vassal Of
the peerless beauty. He set himself TO
work to win her. For his rival or ms
rivals nights he had no consideration.
''All is fair" guoth Sam, Sin love and
war" It was not long before the eaaLest
wooing of the handsome lover made It's
impression. The Frenchman Was cool,
rather phlegmatic and more used 10 bs-
ing songht for than to seek. He made
his advances III cool, buslness-like
way, and considering the whole matter
arranged as he would have it, regarded
it as unnecessary TO give vent to any az
dent expressions OF his affection. San,
meanwhile, was whispering soft Hat
teries into ears that drank In all their
sweetness. Every morning, on rising,
the first thing put into her hands was =
bunch of yiolets accompanied by q note
from her admirer. What these notes
contained We can only imagine, bGC
'Uncle Sam" was always celebrated for
his skill in getting up telling little let
ters upon love matters, dinners, invita-
tions, business or otherwise. The end
came, the engagement was brCRen-so
was the Frenchman's heart. He went
to France to die, and the fair medora
became the second wife of Samuel
Ward, the once recognized liking of the
lobby" and perhaps the most accom-
plished and popular man Of his day.
Only those who have put his friendship
TO the test know of his unfailing devO-
tion to his friends; no matter how dark
the day or dull the path they might be
travelling, Sam was always on hand with
a cheering word and kindly smile,
and, if need be, something more sub
stantial. Many a wreck has been saved,
many n peril averted, and many shat
tered fortune redeemed by Sam Wards
generosity.
Some years since, and during the
most dazzling period of the Empire,
Mrs. Ward went to Europe for the pur-
pose of educating her two sons. For a
period in Paris she was a conspicuous
feature of all the Court entertainments,
and was an especial favorite with both
Napoleon III and Eugenie. While upon
the eve of her departure for this coun-
try she suddenly slckened and, after q
short illness, died. Taken altogether,
she was probably the most brilliant
woman OF her age that America has ever
produced.