Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1890-12-12
HE LOVED AND LOST.
Alexander II. stephens Lived and Died n |
Bachelor. |

Metuuuer Ii. Stepnens Lived ana DIED
Bachelor.
There was always much speculation
iuring the life of AlexanderH II. Stephens
why he never married, nor did this spec.
Iulation cease after he had gone to the
grave, a celibate. johnson & Brownies
Life of Alexander II. Stephens" gives
one version, and the News, upon the
authority of the lady interested, gives
another version, but as to what is the
lest founded, or whether there is some
foundation for both versions, the reader
must draw his own conclusions.
"The Life OF Alexander II. Stephens, I"
alluded to, says that when Mr.. Stephens
was teacher at Madison, Morgan Coun-
ty, Ca, in the fall of 1882, he lost his
heart. 1t says: Zone little episode not
noted here, or even stated by him until
nearly forty years after this occurrence,
we may briefly advert to. One Of the
pupils ut this school was young girl,
lovely both in person and character,
from whom the young teacher learned
more than is to DO found in the books,
and whom he grow to love with depth
of affection all the greater that it was
condemned to hopelessness and silence
The poor student, with no prospect OF
worldly advancement, the invalid, who
looked forward to an early death, must
not thing of marrying-must not speak
CT love. And he never spoke Of 1t toher
nor to any until ageneration had passed,
and then to but one friend"
The other version of Mr.. Stephens
early love is located in Savannah, which
he visited In the fall of 1884, and the
authority or the story is Mrs. Caroline
Regina Maria Smith. lineal descend.
ant of Lord Richard Percival Bland.
Mrs. Smith says that when Mr.. Stephens
was in Savannah he met herself, then
the wife of Edward Thomas Courtenay,
hor unmarried sister, Belle, and their
father. and after the meeting Mr..
Stephens asked permission to pay his
addresses to Mr. BANDS daughter. Mr..
Bland, on his return home, related to his
daughter Belle what Mr.. Stephens had
said, and she pettishly said she would
not receive Mr.. Stephens for suitor,
whereupon Mr.. Courtenay spoke up and
said: 81 think my wife is tho younger
looking and the most handsome, and
would not be surprised If Mr.. Stephens
fell in love with my wife, instead Of
you, Belle" The father Of the ladies',
.patting his married daughter on the
shoulder in an afectionate way, said:
'I would not be surprised II Courtenay
is right; shall see Mr. Stephens and
bring him around to tea this evening,
then we will find out"
Later in the afternoon Mr.. Bland met
Mr.. stephens in the office OF Mr.. Nc
Laws, and asked him to which of the
ladies he referred, and Mr. Stephens do
scribed the personal appearance OF Mrs.
Courtepay, and remarked that she was
the only lady he had over met and loved |
at first sight; to which confession Mr..
Bland made reply that the lady in ques.
zion had been married.. Mr.. Stephens |
rcioined that no did not care II she had |
hecn married; that he desired to renew
lis request to pay his addresses TO her,
and then Mr.. Bland said; my daugh- |
ter's husband is living, and you see
how vain your request Is" A shade OF |
pain passed over tho face Of Mr.. Steph-
ems. and tho invitation to tea was de-
clined. Savannah (Ga.) News.