Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-24
MISS CALDwELL's ENGAGEMENT
An Interesting Letter from Her Aunt,
Mrs. NJ. l.. Donnelly.

4 Mrs. NJ. Il. DOnneuys
Messrs. Eugene Kelly and @. NJ. Frye Of New
York, the guardians Of the southern heiress,
Miss Mary G. Caldwell, whose reported en-
gagement to Prince Murst was cabled from
Paris some two weeks ago, received letters
from their ward Monday confirming the news
and asking their approval to the match. Miss
| Caldwelrs aunt, Mrs. NJ. L. Donnelly, who is
connected by marriage with the d'Aramon
| family, also wrote to both gentlemen. Miss
Caldwell, in her letter, said that the date Of the
| wedding is as yet undecided, but expressed the
hope that her guardians would be present at
her marriage which will take place in Paris
Mrs. Donnelly's letter says:
Il can well imagine your surprise at the news
Just cabled to you / write at Mamie's request
to give you a more detailed account of her de-
cisIon to marry. If you knew the character of
the man to whom she is about to give her hand
l am certain that you would extend to her your
most sincere congratulations. Prince Murat
(who is the grandson of former king of Ma
pies and Caroline Bonsparte, sister of Napoleon
u is ffty-four years OF age, but looks much
younger, and is so In character and in his
tastes. He was born in America (his mother
was a Miss Frazer of Charleston, s. c., and
lived there until he was fourteen years of age.
As consequence he speaks English perfectly.
''Count dAramon presented him to Mamie,
hoping that the acquaintance might result as it
has done. He has known Prince Murat for
many years and regards his character as an ex-
ceptional one. The first wife of the prince,
Princess Wagram, died about five years ago.
The son and two daughters of that union are
married and are very rich, as would have been
their father If he had not with Ield from his
wife the knowledge Of her mothers death. To
save his sick wife (she being really il) the pain
Of kno wing Of the death of her loved parent,
he sacrificed the fortune she would have left to
him had she learned that it became hers on the
death OF her mother.
prince Murat is a general in the French
army. ana mas yet about nine years OF service
to render as a soldier. He has no fortune, but
an income sufficient to make him Independent
OF his wife. He has no decisive are assured.
1.-The government has lately offered to the
Murat family some $4,000. 000f. in settlement
of a legitimate claim they have upon it. That
offer was refused, but it is believed that the
claim will soon be settled. We have not
learned this from Prince Murat, but from the
French papers, Mr.. Tube and others. After
learning ali that was necessary to know of the
gentleman's character from the d'Aramon fam
lily we had MIR. Tube, the old and intimate
friend of Mr.. and Mrs. Caldwell, to make fur
Their inquiries of those who knew him intimately
All agree that Prince Murat is a man of the
highest honor and integrity, and that he is
loved and esteemed by all who know him. He
had not thought of marrying a second time,
but after having been invited several times to
meet US and on each occasion seeing Mamie,
he began to suspect that his sister had mo-
tive in bringing them together. and he ac-
knowledged at once that he found Mamie most
clever and charming.
mamie SAYS she never has felt so contented
and happy as now. Having decided to accept
her foreign suitor, who proposed in true Ameri-
can fashion, her mind is at rest and she is re-
joicing in the prospect of having some one to
take care OF her. In Prince Murat she will
hay a md 6avnta1 h1ch
young man of the type she has met in society
she could not be happy. In very short time
with such one her superior will would assert
itself. The man she is about to marry has her
entire respect and he has just the kind of tact
necessary for influencing her. His sister the
Duchesse de Mouchy formerly Anna Murat,
the favorite cousin of Napoleon I'D was greatly
pleased with Mamie at their first meeting, and
she has been most anxious for the match.
prince Murat is at the head of his family.
The position he offers Mamie is certainly a
brilliant one. He is the friend or relative of
nearly every crowned head in Europe, and he
has place in the first society of every capital
TIME is very happy in the prospect of her
sisters coming marriage. She has had num-
Der of admir-, ), but does not care for any
OF them. Hoping earnestly that you will
approve OF Mamie's choice, / am sincerely
yours.
Mr.. Kelly said that while he had never be-
fore heard so much of Prince Murat, he could
rely implicitly on whatever Mrs. Donnelly
wrote him, and could see at present nothing
against the match. Miss Caldwell he said
was favorite of his and a very bright girl. and
he hoped sincerely that she would make a
happy marriage. Mr.. Kelly said he liked the
fact that the prince had not, after the usual
continental custom, put in a claim for slice of
his wife's wealth after marriage, and said also
that Miss Caldwell was too intelligent and too
well aware of the value of money to let hers
get out of her control, The joint income of
Miss Caldwell and her sister is about $40. coo
per annum, but some years from now, when
the gilt-edge securities which form the princi-
pal mature, the reinvested principal will bring
IN a much smaller annual sum.