The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-23
ELLIOTT F. sHEPARD's FIRST LOVE
1t Was Wholly Innocent, But 1t Did
Not Last Long.

Not Last Long
NEW YORK, July 2l.--New York, much
ms it is accustomed to journalistic surprises
and novelties, has not been so startled for
many year as by the extraordinary policy
of Col. Elliott +. Shepard in making his
journal, the Mail and Erpress a semi-re-
religious one, and the daily Insertion Of q
scrlptural text over the editorial column.
Col. Shepard rather prides himself on his
consistency, as although a large stockholder
in the Fifth avenue stage line, he strenu-
ously opposed the running of the vehicles
on Sunday an evidence of his deep re-
hgious feeling and his disregard of Nam
mon when christian principles are concerned.
The following is faithful report of con-
versation between two ladies that was
overheard in one of Col. Shepards own
stages, which throws a somewhat new light
on his character:
Il should think it would be awfully nice
to ride down on these stages on Sunday and
sec the styles on Fifth avenuen
"Yes, but Col Shepard don't like to have
the stages run on Sunday. He thinks it's
wicked"
Col Shepard-who is he"
"He is the president of this stage line, the
son-in-law of Mr. Vanderbilt, and the pious
editor of the Mail and Express. He heads
all his editorial pages with q Scriptural
text"
is his name Elliottp
"Yes,n
"Then know all about him. You must
listen carefully, for it's great secret. He
once loved Alma, our seamstressW
"Oh, mol"
but it is true. 1t was ages ago, before
he knew Miss Vanderbilt, when he was
very young, aud they lived out our
way, and one wasn't any richer or bettor
than the other He used TO write her the
loveliest little love letters--so good and in
nocent. know for I've seen them. Well,
he loved and wrote, and she loved and
wrote, and they both grew up-alas to part
lie came to the city. famous in his
way--married the richest heirtss to be
found, experienced religion, and became
editor of a newspaper, and friend, philoso-
pher and guide OF Chauncey NJ. Depew."
"And she H'
"She married New Jersey mana shift
less fellow, who failed to support her or his
children, and Alma had to sew for "A living.
Whom times were hard she was OBJ liged to
look both ways and all ways to make the
two ends meet
"Oae day, when there was big space be-
tween these same two ends, she thought
she'd 90 and see her rich old lover and seeif
he could help her.
'Id like to have seen Col. Shepard's face
as that demure little faded-out old woman
walked into his big Office. She sent word
that a lady and old friend from his early
home wished TO see him
"'Was he kind, AlmaP | asked her on her
return.
"'Yes, miss, but sort o grand like. He
looked as if no kind % wondered who was
So | made bow and said, Pm Almap
"'Ama Almal WhoP
"'Whv your little playmate aud sweet
heart. pye brought you letter you wrote
to me when we were both young and you
loved me See, here's your name down TO
the bottom, Elliott f. Shepard He took 1t,
read it through, and then he seemed
thoughtful and puzzled. Finally he said;
81 remember you now. This little letter
is very interesting to me. | want to take it
homo and show it to Mrs. Shepard. She
will be pleased TO see it.
did You let him have it, AlmaP
"'Yes, miss; wasn't right, mssp
- suppose 80, but must saydt was cute
in him. He vas not anxious TO see his name,
even in boyish writing, in the possession Of
poor sowing woman
"'What else did he say, AlmaP
"'He asked if | were married and happy,
and when | said / was unhappy and poor
he said he was sorry. He told me very
kindly that he'd liked to have beard good
news from me- Then he got up, and got
up, and he showed me to tho Office door,
and that was all.
"Did he give tho poor woman anything"
NO; not even pass to ride his stages,
and be forgot to quote the Bible and tell
her: The Lord will provide Trust in
himr"
did she ever got her letter backf'
"No; but sho has more letters, and when
| get home | will borrow them and we will
have lots OF fun reading them. We will
see how much scripture he quoted in his
love letters. We might find them interest
ing, as might the former Miss Vanderbilt" d"
Here the stage reached Central park, and
the two ladies alighted.
ROSY SUAPIEIgH