Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-06
StanleY'S Love Affair.
CHARLES KING,
Captain q. 8. A,

Captain o. 8. A.
Stanley's Love Affair
He was 80 years old, Gays the New Yorh
Sun. The queen had presented him witt
diamonds and he had been singularly hon
0red by statesmen and the great men OF
the Royal Geographical society. His name
was known all over the civilized world and
distinction and renown awaited him in
New York when he arrived here a few
months later.
Stanley hadn't been in New York very
long before his club friends remarked
that he was partial in his visits to GER
tain mansion on Fifth avenue. He had
been we'll received in New York society
and, although he was not particularly en-
dowed with this worlds goods, he was q
handsome young fellow, and the young
ladies of New York society found him
most congenial. At one of the homes be
visited there was petite brunei who in
terested young Stanley from the first hour
that he saw her. Her fathers home on
Fifth avenue was one of the most attrac-
tive of spots for young Stanley after the
introduction. He would steal away from
club friends to make frequent calls on the
little queen of that charming home. The
servant announced her handsome young
visitor, and she soon began to look for
his calls. Stanley was the sort of young
man to be interesting TO most young
ladies. He was handsome fellow, fine
| oonversatiOnalist, and he was particular
ly attractive in the gallant and reveren-
tial politeness which always marked his
conduct before the fair ones.
His visits to the Fifth avenue mansion
became more frequent and his attentions
to the black-eyed little lady more marked,
and pretty soon Stanley's friends learned
that the young couple were engaged.
Stanley frequently said in those days that
he was ready to settle down and have a
winsome wife and a modest home. He
seemed to be quite ready to rest then
with the name and fame that had already
come to him. Time ran on and New
York did not possess two happier souls
than Henry M. Stanley and his pros
pective bride.
But with Livingstone dead, there were
constant aid urgent demands upon him
to resume the exploration of Africa. At
last he consented to make another Jour
ney. It was to be short one, he told his
sweetheart, and with it would end his
"Anybody can imagine the loving ten
derness with which Henry nj. Stanley and
the girl he loved parted" continued the
club man. "There were tears Oh her part
and tender, comforting words for his
share of that trying experience. They
were to write by every steamer for two
years and the happiest and tenderest cor
respondence passed between the young
lovers"
Late in November, 1874, Stanley arriv-
ed at Zanzibar ana began the arrange
ments FOR his trip inland. The little
lady in the Fifth avenue mansion anxi-
ously read the dispatches about her lover,
and cheered by some of the heaviest let
tiers which ever came through the New
York postoffice. She was delighted be-
yond expression when the cable announc-
ed that Stanley had launched the little
boat in which he cjrcumnavigated
Nyanza lake and had named it the Lady
Alice. That was her Christian name.
With lovers eagerness he wrote to
the fair one what he had done, and his
last letter before he left civilization told
her to be of good cheer. He said that
he didn't expect that his task would be
difficult, and he spoke of the time when
his journey would be ended and he
would return ID her rich and with his
days as an explorer ended forever.
He was on the Congo river for nine
months and reached the Atlantic coast in
1877. He arrived in London early in 1878
and eagerly glanced over the pile of let
tiers awaiting him. There was dozen or
mure in the handwriting of his betrotb-
ed running up to November, 1876. At
that time he had reached Nyangwa, the
furtherest northern point attained by
Livingstone or Cameron, The letters
ceased in that month. Down deeper in
the pile was letter from New York
club man, which told Stanley that his
betrothed had been married early i'll 1877
To a gestleman from Michigan.
The highest honors we're showered up
on Stanley, but he grew listless, and ap-
parentiy without ambition. His friends
said he was stunned at the shock he had
received. He roamed about London and
his hair daily grew whittier and his face
paler. He went back to Africa
and spent five years there and first ap-
psared in New York again in 1886. He
only remained here few weeks and then
started on his present journey.
Seasick for Home.