Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-10

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A Hartford (conn.) special says Vn
1nestay w. w. Converse. president o.
She Winchester Arms Company, we''-
rrsseyvsd gentleman Of any yoars, Was
suittlv married 70 Mies Belle Spencer,
q Ibis city, lady Of about the same
oee. There Is : romance connected
via this affair which moro closely re-
s.mbles the ntvelist's ideal than Is
usual N real life. Thirty years ago the
bride was 3 giTl oftwcnty. Her father,
Rdwin A. Spencer, was proprietor oil
: new hotel row known ~ the Revere
Housc. After Z few months ne died,
and The widow opened clearinghouse.
Among those who sat At her table was
: young gentleman Of twenty years. Mr..
Converse, recently from Ware, Mass,
Who was employed by Woodruff q
Beach. An sifection sprung up be-
tween the young man and Miss Belle,
ana he preached the subject OF mar
risre. She confessed that she was not
averse TO him. but told him plainly
that marriage was then impossible,
- she had made il her life
duty to remain with her mother,
and as the Oldest daughter to
rive her aid and counsel IN keeping to-
ecsher the fatherless family Of q mother,
: sister, who was but child, and a
younger brother. William Spencer, her
uncle. commended her determination
and sustained her in 1t. Young Con-
verse pleaded without avail, and q
levers quarrel ensued. Within short
time ne removed to New Haven, main
tanned . brief correspondence, and
finally discontinued it. Mr.. Conserse
went into the lumber business in New
Haven and made money. A few years
passed and be married G Miss Pardee'
whose sister had married into the fami-
" OF the winchesters, interested in
run manufacture. Mr.. Converse,
on q visit to Hartford with his bride,
called at the residence Of Miss Spencer
and was received pleasantly. She had
no words Of blame TO utter. She was
doing her duty as she understood it,
and he had been free to pursue his own
course. The years rolled on, and Mr..
Converse, busy man, heard little
from the Spencer family. Once the re-
port reached him that Miss Belle was
dead, and he heard no correction of 1t.
Mrs. Spencer, during all this time, main
tanned her little family by keeping
boarders, and Miss Belle, now adj
yanciDg in years, was her right
hand and her helper. Last November
Mrs. Spencer died at the advanced age
of seyenty-eight. Miss Belle was left,
but not alone, her younger sister having
married Mr.. A. p. Brown, whose home
was there. About three years ago Mr..
Converse lost his wife by death, but it
was not until the time Of Mrs. Spenccr's
decease that he heard that Miss Belle
was still living. He came to Hartford
some weeks later and visited her, but
she failed at first to recognize her love
of thirty years ago. lie heard her story,
and the old love Of his young man
hood was revived. During the win
ter he again asked for the hand which
had been refused him over quarter oil
q century before. She accepted him,
and the wedding-day was fixed. He
was liberal with his gifts. Her trous-
seau is described by the few intimate
lady friends who were permitted to see
it as perfectly elegant" They were
: handsome couple, II was said by the
few who were invited to the ceremony.
Only few near relatives and friends
were present. The presents were ele-
CANT, those of the groom to the bride
especially. His income as presi-
dent Of the Arms Company is
said to be about $4,000 per
annum. Among the gifts from Mr..
Converse's friends in New Haven was
. beautiful miniature yacht in silver
from friends in the New Haven Yacht
Club, of which he is a member. lie
swns one of the finest yachts in the
club. The couple left after the we'd
ding on carriage trip, embracing the
grand scenery Of the Berkshire hills,
never more beautiful than in June
Returning from the wedding tour they
will locate in an elegant residence il
New Haven