The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-18
ACKNOWLEDGE THE CORN.


Der of his friends, and l believe that was
! the origin of the now common phrase"
Mrs. Chase still has in Washington
few warm friends. One of these is Vice
President Morton. Not long ago, hap
pen to know, Mrs. Chase was very
anxious to help young friend who had
once done her d service secure an ap-
pointment in the diplomatic service.
There were reasons, which it is not
necessary to describe, why she did not
wish 20 go directly to Mr.. Blaine, but
she did feel that she could go to Mr..
Morton. So she called on the vice presi-
dent at his room in the Capitol and was
given such encouragement that she was
able to drive home in serene confidence
that she had carried her point. AS
matter of fact the appointment was
made in few weeks.
Concerning the friendship existing be-
tween the vice president and Mrs. Chase
l have heard curious story. That it is
true have little doubt, though when /
asked Mrs. Chase about it she only
smiled and shook her head. The story
is that while Mr.. Morton was minister
to France it became necessary for him
to secure, privately and discreetly, GER
tain political information. 1t was i'm
possible for him or his secretary to move
in the matter, as they were well known.
The interest of two or three Americans
residing in Paris was enlisted, and they
made efforts to secure what was wanted,
without result. Finally some one said
to the minister: "Why do you not try
Mrs. Kate Chase Sprague? She Is now
living here, and if any one can get the
information you desire she can"
So Mr.. Morton called on Mrs. Chase
and obtained her consent to make the
effort. 1t was matter of extreme deli
cacy, involved in many difficulties, but
within week the accomplished Ameri-
can woman, born diplomatic and skill
full tactician, was able to lay before the
minister the very intelligence which he
had been seeking. By this service,
which was purely patriotic and unselfsh,
Mrs. Chase earned the gratitude and
friendship of Mr.. Morton.
Mr.. Blaine, too, according to bit of
gossip which l have heard within day
or two, has occasion to remember Mrs.
Chase's remarkable familiarity with the
high social life of Paris.
When Mr.. Blaine was in the French
capital a few years ago he was very
eager to see a duel between combatants
of social or political importance. But
OFF
there with great deal of exclusiveness.
Only few favored friends are invited to
be present on the field, and it is almost
as difficult to get bid to duel as to
one of Queen Victoria's dinners. The
American minister and his secretary
and other well known Americans en-
deavored to get for Mr.. Blaine an invi-
tation to an aristocratic encounter. They
did not succeed, however, and the day
set for Mr.. Blaine's departure for Flor
ence was near at hand. when some one
suggested that Mrs. Chase be appealed
to.
She graciously promised to do what
she could, and as good luck would have
it was within a few days able to send |
the great American an invitation to &C
company a number of French and Rus
sian gentlemen to lonely spot in the !
woods in the environs Of the city. Mr.. /
Blaine eagerly accepted the invitation,
and incognito, with great coat mufaed |
about his face, stood in the gray Of a |
cool morning watching French states /
man Of note and a Russian count fire /
three shots apiece at each other without 1
any one being hurt. Possibly Mrs 4
Chase's services In this matter, as well /
as in gaining for Minister Morton the 1
information he wanted, may have had 4
something TO do with the recent appoint |
ment of her friend to diplomatic post. !
Mrs. Chase is the only American wom- /
an / know Of who ever witnessed a real /
duel. One day in Paris she went with 4
French lady Of high social position TO 4
see a French duel, two Partisan Journal 4
lists being the contestants Of course
the ladies remained II their Carriage. /
and their presence was unknown 70 all /
but one Of the seconds, who had invited i
and escorted them TO the scene. For a /
wonder this duel was not entirely blood /
less One Of the belligerents was slightly 4
wounded, and as the red blood flowed /
the French woman, who was, with her 1
American friend, peeping out Of the car
mage window, lapsed into dead faint
Mrs. Chase. however, only smiled at the
mock sOlemnity and intensely tragic air
Of ali the participants IN the comedy
drama. WALTER WErIMAx-