Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-19
THE PRESIDENTS BRIDE.
TALK ABOUT THIS APPROACH
ING WHITE HOUSE WEDDING.
The Young Lady Whom it is said
the President is to Marry in june
Now in Italy, but to Return in
Maya Former Romantic En-
gagement that was Broken.

NHf IN6AtAtUN IL W AAaEI III 0AN
Now i'm Italy. but to Return in
Maya Former Romantic En-
gagement that was Broken.
From ne Ys1o York sun.
BUFFALO, April 16.-Fhe statement OF
the Rev. VIM. Cleveland, brother of the
President, that the latter will marry Miss
Frances Folsom, the lovely daughter OF
the late Oscar Folsom, together with
some additional information cleaned TO-
day, leaves no doubt of the fact that the
White House wedding will take place.
There has been a romantic episode IN
Miss Folsom's life which IS worth mar
rating, not only on account OF It's inter-
est. but because It shows her rare good
sommon sense on a trying occasion.
Miss Folsom's father was killed
in 1879 on Grand Island by being
thrown from a buggy in a run
away accident. She was at that time
only II years of age, and her first appear
ance in puO!ic was some four years later.
Meanwhile she had been taken by ner
mother TO an uncle's at k~ansOmVille,
where Mrs. Folsom attended to h%erdaugb-
ter's preliminary education. This step
was made necessary by the confused con
ulllOu Vi OSCdI IOleDn > dldllo9 Nnltu
were in such an entangled condition at
the time OF his sudden death that Mr..
Cleveland, who took charge of the affairs,
thought Mrs. Folsom and her daughter,
for a time at least, had better discontinue
their residence at the Tiff house.
The appearance OF Miss Folsom referred
to was at the celebrated authors carnival,
held in 1879 in the Pearl street rink, and
which was one of the brilliant and re-
splendent affairs OF the kind Of which the
mono OF this city have any recollection.
Miss Folsom was al attendant at a Robert
Burns booth, and wore the character cos
tune Of a Highland ~lassie, with plaid
dress, kilt, and all the accessories. Her
rare beauty and amiability made her a
tremendous favorite with every body. and
in a contest of beauty, in which all the
bellies participated, Miss Folsom was a
first prize inner. About $4,000 bal
lots were cast in this competition,
and the fatherless beauty had a large
plurality, her vote nearly equalling that
of all the other beauties put together.
Despite her youth and modest, retiring,
and sensitive disposition, Miss Folsom
WentmOre and more IN society, butdid not
neglect her studies. She was able TO pass
the Regents examination about this
time, and spent two years in the Central
High School in preparation for the tour
years course, which subsequently took
in Wells College at Aurora, where she
was graduated last year, the star in the
lass. In the Central School Miss Fol
som did not display any brilliancy of tai
ent, but she possessed a remarkable abil-
ity TO thoroughly imbibe instruction, re-
tanning what she learned, ana under
standing il better han some pupils who
seemed more bright but whose attain
ments were more ephemeral.
At vas while h was a student at the
NFnaMtnT School fhnN MI, L1.IraHnFa fTy.t
romance occurred. She and her mother
were devOut attendants at the religious
services and pray er meetings OF the North
Presbyterian church. There Frankie, as
she was known by her friends, became
acquainted witn,Charles Townsend, a son
of wealthy parents and a fascinating
gallant, who was, however, impulsive,
caprlci0us, and changeable, bOtn in So
clety and business affairs. Mr.. Townsend
had tried his talents in several fields, but
tired OF them rapidly, and seemed never
likely to settle down permanently IN any
sphere OF life. He was "A newspaper re-
porter, a clerk in a drug store, an en-
bryO lawyer, and a railroad clerk. Miss
Folsom was, as now, a lovely ana "A
lOvable girl, and as she was Impression
able the attentions OF Mr.. Townsend were
received with pleasing ferYor. The
Folsoms resided in an unpre-
tentious brick house on Niagara street,
near Morgan. and there her first
courtship was held. An engagement soon
resulted Soon after ward young Townsend
concluded to study theology, and, with
that object in view. went to Auburn and
attended the PRESBYTERIAN seminary there.
A bankers daughter there, who possessed
the same qualities of heart, mind and face
that Miss Folsom was noted for, became
acquainted with him, and the present
belle soon shattered the absent idol Of the
YOUTHS alteration. He finally wrote a
letter 10 frankie, in which he told her,
with a tInge OF SORROW, that he believed
re could never love her as she deserved To
be loved. that be thought he had proved
himself unw0rth. OF her affections. and,
in short, that she Had best dismiss him
from her mind. This was a trying time
Tor frankie, but she promptly wrote back
lhat she was perfectly satisfied, and
was rather glad 70 nave him express
his views so frankly. That
was all there was Of il. This, however.
was not the good fortune Of the Auburn
girl 70 whom Mir. Townsend became en-
gagged. He came TO the conclusion thai
he was too poor to marry, aud told her 80
in a letter, which she received while MAX
inc arrangements for her bridal clothes.
The effect on her was the opposite of
what it had been on Miss Folsom, and her
Father. VINO took the letter from her uand
before she bad recovered from her laiut-
ing spell. could hardly be restrained from
INJECTING corporai punishment on the
man Who had TITLED with der atiec ions.
Frankle's first lover is now the L ".
Charles Townsend, a popular clergyman
Di L~ausiuGOutgh, who Is married 10 an es-
nmahie lady ANA IS dong good work IN
tn heid in waicb he nnally cnose 10
spend his lie.
Tho Rev. Mir. Townsend is a brother OF
Mr. T.. Corning l0Eseud. the Ia wvar nj