The Washington critic., 1886-05-27
WASHINGTON CRITIC
WASHINGTON. MAY 81. 1885.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.


gallant soldier during the late war. He
was terribly wounded at the battle OF
Chickamauga A writer in the New
York World says: The late General
James b. Steedman used to tell with n
rare gusto how he saved the life of the
brave soldier on that occasion. The
night after the battle Steedman was rid
ing past cabin by the roadside. a
woman at the fence said to him:
"There is dead Union officer In my
house." Steedman dismounted and
went in to see the dead man. He found
him lying In corner, covered with a
blanket, where the surgeons had
abandoned him. He pulled the cover.
ing off, stopped down and by the light
of q candle recognized his old
friend, Colonel Durbin Ward. He
was cold and apparently lifeless.
Stecdman felt his pulse and
found slight fluttcring. Calling for
his orderly, who carried canteen of
whisky, he raised the dying man, and
poured liberal quantity of the re-
vivifying fluid down his throat. The
reaction came, the surgeons were sent
never got done thanking Stcedman aud
he never could listen with patience to
q temperance orator decrying spirits
thereafter. II am living example >"
he used to say, "of the saving power
Of even commlssary whisky"
~
1t was case of love at first sight,
says New York correspondent, re.
ferring to the engagement of Justice
Matthews and Mrs. Theaker. The hus-
band Of the latter was q warm personal
friend Of Judge Stephenson Burke of
Cleveland, the well.known railroad at
torney. The friendship extended to
their wives, and since the death of
Judge Thealxer his widow has been a
frequent visitor at the Burke home
stead in Cleveland, and Judge Burke
has been her adviser in business mat.
ters. In June of last year Judge Mat
thews was holding court in Cleveland.
Judge Burke was in and out of the
courtroom and argued some cases
there. He said to Judge Matthews one
day that he woNld be glad to have him
go out home and dine Informally at his
house. Judge Matthews accepted the
invitation. Mrs. Theaker was thu
guest of Mrs. Burke and came in will
her from walk, appearing to the best
advantage, and making striking i'm
preston on the justice. In the even.
ing the party played whist together
The second day after, the justice
again made one of card party al
Judge Burkes and Mrs. Theaker was
his partner. lie did not see her again
until January last, when she went to
Judge and Mrs. Burke, Mrs. Kelly
Bolton of Cleveland, Miss Mitchell Of
st. Louis and Governor Foster. Their
rooms at Willard's were thronged with
visitors, and among others was Justice
Matthews. The courtship began soon
after and the Judge became a regular
visitor to the city. There is said to
have been a funny womanish scene in
Judge Burke's room at Washington,
after the first evening Of callers on the
ladies. The Judge announced with
some solemnity, but considerable mer.
riment underneath the surface, that
one of the distinguished visitors Of the
evening had been smitten with the
charms of one of his lady companions
There was instant inquiry all around,
"Is it I?' The Judge tantalized them
for time and told them that Mrs
Theaker was the fortunate lady, bu
refused to disclose the identity OF
her lover. She soon found out fol
herself
x"x
A Chicago correspondent Of tn,
Cincinnati Enquirer says that ex-Min
lister Washburne's yearly income |!
not cent under $GS,00O. He is worth
q million and quarter at the loves
estimate, but so zealously has the ex
Minister stood between his secret ant
Republican campaign committees tina
tits almost certain that his nearest of XII
do not question his plea of poverty
The informant of the Enquire
says that even Mrs. Washburne be
lieves her husband to be poor man
Not more than two or three person
are aware of minister Washburne
real trouble as to worldly goods, AM
one of these, who is himself million
aire, Is responsible for the overthrow
of Mr.. Washburne's ambition. To thi
gentleman, not long ago, came mem
Der of a Republican campaign com
mittee, with doleful story Of the i'm
possibility Of inducing the ex-Ministe
to chip in for the good of the cause
"You know him we'll" he said; "noy
tell me, is Washburne really the pov
erty-stricken man he makes himsel
out to beY' "My friend,'' an
swered the other, your doub
does you credit. am surprised tina
the facts were not discovered long age
Do you remember the eXtravagau
praise heaped upon Minister Wash
burne on account of his tireless effort
in behalf of the comfort of German
subjects in Paris just previous to tn
crisis in the late Franco German un
pleasantness? How he as America
Minister was enabled to provide saf
exit for something over hundrc
thousand of them from the shortly
be beleagured Capital? Well, you IT
member also that previous to his reca
during the Hayes administration Wasl
burne took trip to Berlin? He sa'
Bismarck. The Prince was very graft
full for the interest the American Mil
referred to. Moreover he was induce
w ploNc lib Slttltullc Wy uuthol iHl IL
the Chancellor of the Exchequer {
some such functionary, to pay
Minister Washburne one thaler pC
head on the German subjects he ha
liberated, and assured the Minister Il
wouldn't mention it. This gave Wasl
burne his start. He returned with tn
snug sum of $4,000 in his pocke
He kept 1t there. Some four or Il,
years later his brother, Cadwa
lader G, Washburne, died. |
lin will Ln LnculnaILnl SlNl Ql