Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-08-07
A Z. Stephens Romance.

There was always much speculation DUR
ing the lifs of Alexander 81. Stephens why
he never married, nor did this speculation
cease after he had gone TO the grave cell
bate. johnson & Brownies "Life of Alex
ander H. Stephens" gives one version, and
th. Ne,vs, upon the authority OF the lady
interested. gives aaother version, but as to
which Is the best founded, or whether there
Is come foundation for both verslonH, the
reader mus, draw bis own conclusions.
THE Life of Alexander n. Stephens" al
iuded 10 GAYS that when Mr.. Stephens was
teacher at Madison, Morgan county, Ga, in
the fail of 1882, he lost his heart. L, says:
'OUe 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 at this school was young
girl, lovely both Ia person and character,
from whom the yoCng teacher leaE0ed more
than is 10 be found in the bookF, srd whom
he grew to love with depth of affection all
the greater that ii was condemned to 5ope-
lsssuess aud slsuce The poor student,
with no prospect of worldly advancement,
the invalid who looked forward to sn early
death, must not think of marrying-must
not speak of love Aud be never spoke of
it to her nor to any uutil generation had
passed, and then to but Que friend"
The other version OF Mr.. Stephens early
love Ia located In Savannah. where he viz
itod in the fall of 1884, and the authority OF
the story Is Mrs. Caroline Regina Maria
Smith, lineal descendant of Lord Richard
Perciva Bland. Mrs Smith says that when
Mr.. Stephens was in Savannah he met her
self, then the wife OF Edward Thomas Court.
ensy, her unmarried sister, Belle, and their
father, and after the meeting Mr.. Stephens
asked permission 10 pay hls addresses to MIR.
Bland's daughter Mr.. Blaud on his return
home, related to his daughter Belle what
Mr. Stephens had said, and she very petlish-
y said that she would not receive Mr.. Steph-
ems for suitor, wbereupou Mr.. Courtenay
spoke up and said II think my wife is the
younger looking and the most handsome,
and l would not be surprised If MIR. Steph
ens fell in love with my wife, instead OF you,
Belle" The father of the ladies, patting bis
married daughter on the shoulder 10 an a.
fectionate way, said: 81 woulG not be sur
orised If Courtenay Is right shall see Mr.
Stephens and bring him around TO tea this
evening, and then we will find out"
Later in the afternoon Mr. Bland met Mr..
Stephens in the Office of Mr.. McLaws and
asked him to which of the ladies be referred,
and Mr. Stephens described the personal
appearance of Mrs. Courtenay and remark
ed that she was the only lady he had ever
met and loved at fret sight; to which con-
fession Mr. Bland made reply that the lady
n question had been married. Mr.. Steph
ems ejoined that he did not care If she had
been married that he desired to renew his
request to pay his addresses to her, and then
Mr.. Bland Eaid my daughters husband is
living, and you see how vain your request
is." shade of pain passed over the face of
Mr.. Stephens. and the invitation to tea was
declined. d.-Sarannah News.