The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-04
HE LOVED AND LOST.
Alexander H. Stephens Lived ana Died
Bachelor.

Bachelor.
There was always much speculation
during tho life of AleXandcrII. STEPHENS
why he never married, nor did this spec.
ulation cease after no had gone to the
grave, q cclibatc. johnson Il Brownies
'Life OF Alexander H. Stephens" gives
ono version, and tho News, upon the
authority of the lady interested, gives
another version, but rs to what is the
best founded, or whether thcrc-is some
foundation for both versions, the reader
must draw his own conclusions
he Life Of Alexander II. Stephens"
alluded to, says that when Mr.. Stephens
was teacher at Madison, Morgan Coun-
ty, Ga, i'll the fall of 1882. he lost his
heart 1t says: Zone littlo episode not
noted hore, or oven stated by him until
nearly forty years after this occurrence,
we may briefly advert TO. Ono of the
pupils at this school was younr Girl.
lovely both in person and character.
from whom the young teacher learned
more than is to be found in the books.
and whom he grow to lovo with Il dcpti
of affection all the greater that it was
condemned TO hopclcssncss and silence.
Tho poor student, with no prospect of
worldly advancement, tho invalid, who
looked forward to an early death, must
not thing Of marrying-must not speak
of love. And lie never spoke of il to her
nor to any until a generation had passed.
and then to but ono friend"
Tho 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
l,eginia Maria Smith, a lineal descend.
ant OF Lord Richard Pcrcival Bland.
AIRS. Smith says that when Mr.. Stephens
was in Savannah he met horself, then
the wife Of Edward Thomas Courtenay.
her unmarried sister, Belle, and their
tathor, and after tho meeting MIR.
Stephens asked permission to paw his
addresses to Mr.. BANDS daughter. Mr.
Bland, on his return homo, related to his
daughter Belle what Mr.. Stephens had
said, and she pettishly said she would
not receive Mr. Stephens for sutton.
whereupon Mr.. Courtenay spoke up and
said: 81 think my wife is the Younger
looking and tho most handsome. and 7
would not be surprised if Mr.. Stephens
fell In lovo with my wife, instead of
you. Belle" The father of tho ladies
patting his married daughter on the
shoulder i'll an affcctionate way, said:
II would not DO surprised if Courtenav
is right; I shall SEQ Mr.. Stephens and
bring him around to tea this evening.
then we will find out"
Later in tho afternoon Mr.. Bland mot
MIR. Stephens in the Office of Mr.. Nc
Laws, and asked him to which of tho
ladies he referred, and Mr.. Stephens de-
scribed the personal appearance of Mrs.
Conrtenay, and remarked that She was
The only lady he had ever mot and loved
Mt first sight; to which confession Mr..
Bland made reply that the lady in cues.
ton had been married. Mr.. Stephens
rejoined that he did not care if she had
been married; that he desired to rencw
bis request to pay his addresses to her.
and then Mr.. Bland said; my daugh-
tors husband is living, and you sec
how vain your request is." A shade OF
pain passed over tho face of Mr.. Steph-
ons, and the invitation to tea was de-
eltned. Savannah (Ga.) News.