The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-11-09


Mrs. Godfrey replied that they had no such
sum 70 spare, and Franklin eooly told her
that she could mortgage her house for il in the
t toan once. Inc answer cooled the ardor of
the match makers, and Franklin saws i'm his
autoDlography that latter a few DAYS they
uecided That they did not approve the match,
anu anu .ngy informed me that they understood
.no pruning business was not a profitable
one, that some printers had failed, and that
s moulu soon go In the same direction they
lorpaue me the house, and the daughter was
snut up. FRANKLIN was probably anxious
70 get out OF the match, aud he used this
me IN getting rid of the opportunities of
the match makers.
Aaron Burr married widow 10 years old
er imam himself. Parton saws his wife was
not beautiful, and that besides being past
ner prime, she was slightly disfgured by a
scar on her forehead. 1t was her graceful
ana winning manners that captiyated Col.
Burr, and more than any thing else her cul-
tlvated mind. Mrs. Provost was her name.
He met her during his service in the Revolu-
ton, and fell in love with her. Her first
husband had been a colonel in the British
army who had died in the West Indies,
leaving his widow and two sons. Burr paid
his attentions to her at this time, but IL was
some years after the war before he married
her. There is no reason to believe that he
was notitrue to her, though the tradition is
to the contrary. He had but one CHI by
and who was perhaps one of the pretliesf
aud most accomplished girls America has
ever had.
Alexander Hamilton married the dough-
ter of Gen. Schuyler, and it was this mar
riage that had much to do with his political
success. Hamilton was poor. and his con-
nection with the rich Schuyler family gave
him rank which he could not have ac-
quired through bis own efforts. He was not
q true husband, though be is said to have
muir 81 lNnA..
him and Miss Reynolds formed an import
ant part of the newspaper political gossip of
the time and Hamilton, in order to save
himself from the charge of corruption in of
fetal life, acknowledged that he had been
the victim of black-mailiDg scheme. After
his death Mrs. Hamilton cherished his men,
DRY highly, and she bought UP at exor0itant
prices the pamphlet, which was published as
a campaign document, in which he avowed
his infidelity to her.
Charles Summers marriage was an unhap-
one. His wife was the daughter-in-law OF
Samuel Hooper, one of the most noted men,
bers of Congress from Massachusetts. Sum-
ner was in the Senate at the time, and his
new bride was fashionable, society loving
woman. He was domestic in his tastes, and
he preferred to stay at home to dancing at.
tendance upon Washington receptions. His
wife insisted on her gayety, and the result
was divorce. A paragraph in regard to
Summers troubles was published in news
paper d year dSO,lu WHICH III WAS alleged LQdI
the attentions of young diplomat to Mrs
Sumner was the cause of some diplomat
ic correspondence between Mr.. Sumner,
the Secretary of State. and the English
government. This report states that
through Summers interference the young
complaining that her husbands conduct re
Elected upon Eer character, asked to be re
| turned to her father in Boston. She did &C
back to Boston, and afteward left there fol
| Europe. Sumner returned to his bachelor
habits, and resumed the society of his more
intimate friends of the past.
Many public man has been made by his
wife, and two of the leading members of the
present House of Representatives owe their
prominence to the reform from drinking
habits which was accomplished through
their wives constant efforts. 1t is said tx
have been the same with William Writ. whit
from 1900 to 1884 was perhaps the most noted
attorney OF the country. He was for 1:
| years Attorney General of the United States
| and was an author as well as lawyer. Dur
| ing the earlier years Of his practice he wa!
very dissipated, and one day while lying, i
in the sunlight of the early morning
a pretty girl passed by and saw
| him. The flies were crawling upon his face
his clothes were dirty, and he looked thu
| picture of human beastliness. The nader
drew her skirts together as he passed by, an(
then in pity turned back and spread he
handkerchief over his face. When the young
lgwyer came to his senses, he retained pos
session OF the handkerchief, and whether
from the name upon it or in some other way
do not know, he found out, it is said, til,
identity of its owner. He sought her out
secured an introduction, and the friendship
which ensued ripened into love. Upon hi
promise to reform, the young lady becam,
Mrs. Writ, and it is to her that the country
owes the eminence of her husband.