Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-05
DIR. SCHENCK'S Book on Consumptfon.
Liver Complaint and Dyspepsia, sent free.
DB. J. H. SCHENCK son, Philadelphia, Pa.
AN AMERICAN COUNTESS.
How DR.. Hammond's Daughter Came
.Jofn tin, NobiIftv

How DR.. Hammond's Daughter Came to
Join tire Nobility.
The presence of the Countess LAMA in
Washington, now here with her three young
children on visit to her father, the emf
nent physician, DR.. William A Hammond,
revives the romantic story of her marriage
some years ago, writes the Washington cor
respondent of the Baltimore American.
Count LAMA left Italy and came to this
country to pursue his career as mining
engineer. After various vicissitudes the
Count found himself one fine morning COM
pletely stranded stranger In strange
land, without friends or even scquaintances
to whom he could turn in the direst emer
gency Of his life. Completely penniless, it
CHANGED that at this juncture theopportunity
offered Ut obtaining place as waiter at Del
monlco's. As drowning man grasps at a
straw, the unfortunate foreigner seized
upon the place as an alternative against
starvation. When he had been there some
little time splendid dinner party was
given by Mrs. Howard Crosby, wife Of the
eminent divine. Of New York. That the
young waiter retained for their service was
maa of no ordinary callber, and moreover
man OF refinement, was at once apparent
to Mrs. Crosby, who from that time took an
active interest in the young mans welfare,
and finally obtained for him a subordin ate
position in mercantile house down town.
Here the mans ability and true worth mani
tested itself. and steadily year by year he
rose from one position Of trust to another,
until at last he became partner. In all
this time Count Lanzo, who during the
period OF poverty and obscurity had dropped
his title and figured as plain Mr., had es-
chewed society and kept himself proudly
aloof. When at last the time arrived that he
could go into society in his proper char
acter. the Count began to go about and &C
cept Invitations to the leading houses of
New York. Here, as wealthy bachelor,
one OF the leading partners in rich and in
fuential firm, 1t may readily be credited
that the Count, albeit he was still incognito,
was the recipient of much fattering atten-
ton on the part of society generally, and
the fair sex in particular. But the Count
had met and admired Dr.. Hammond's hand
some daughter, and had eyes for no one
else. The admiration was mutual, and be-
fore any unnecessary lapse of time, after
the two bad come TO an understanding,
Count Lama approached DR.. Hammond,
and in due form requested the hand of bis
daughter in marriage His request was as
first refused by DR.. Hammond, who in some
way had gotten wind OF the fact thst this
wouid-be son-in-law had at one time fire.
quentai Delmouicos in the humble capacity
Of a waiter. This fact. IN spite Of explains
tons, initiated against him. until finally,
after long interview, the Count drew
himself up proudly, saying: I'm my country
it would be considered condesceusion for
one of my family to seek one Of your family
in marriage" This appears to have had the
desired effect, for very shortly after that
the marriage took place. Count LAMA and
his bride spent the honeymoon abroad,
where, having established beyond all ques-
ton his right TO his title, the Count and
Countess Lama returned to New York,
where they have since resided, and where
three lovely children have been born to
them Countess Lama is quite literary,
and has written . number of BOOKS, the
best known Of which is "Ar. Jenkins
Daughter"