Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-08-14
ALIEN. II. STEPHENS ROMANCE.
A Georgia WOman's story of Why the
Southern Statesman Never Married.
S1rr8D0I Nrre

>UClRiidh NClcS.
There was always much speculation
during the life of Alexander IL. Stephen.
why he never married; nor did thi,
speculation cease after he had gone TO
the grave celibate johnson Il
Browns History of Alexander II.
stephens gives one version and the
Morning NclcS, upon the authority of
the lady interested, gives another, but
as To- which is the best founded or
whether there is some foundation for
both versions the reader must draw his
or her own conclusions.
The life of Alexander II. Stephens al
uded 10 says that when Mr.. Stephens
was teacher at Madison, Morgan
county. Ca. in the fan of 1882, he lost
HIS heart. 10 says: Zone little episode
not noted here, or even stated by him
until forty years after its occurrence,
We may briefly avert 10. One OF the pu-
pills 40 this school was young girl,
lovely both in person and character,
from whom the young teacher learned
more than is 90 be found In books, and
whom he grew % love with depth OF
affection all the greater that it was con-
dcmucd 90 hOpeleSSneSs and silence.
The poor student with no prospect of
worldly advancement, the Invalid, who
looked forward 20 an early death, must
not think of marrying must not speak
OF love. And he never spoke of il 10 her
nor Co any one until a generation had
passed, and then 90 but one friend.
The other version of Air. stephens
early love is located I'm savannah, which
he visited in the fall of lSS4,and the au-
thority of the story is Mrs. Caroline
Regina Smith. lineal descendant of
lord Richard Percival Bland. Mrs.
Smith says that when Mr. stephens
was iu savannah he met herself, then
the wife of Edward Thomas Courtenay,
her unmarried sister Belle, and their
father In this city, and after the meet
ing Mr.. Stephens asked permission TO
pay his addresses 10 Mr.. Bland :
daughter. Mr. Bland. father OF the
then Mrs. COurtenay, ON his Ic-
turn home related 10 his daughter
Belle what Mr. stephens had said, and
she very pcttiShly said that she would
not receive Mr.. Stephens for a sutton,
whereupon Mr. COurtenay spoke up and
said: 81 think my wife is the younger
looking and the most handsome, and /
would not De surprised if Mr.. stephens
fell iu love with my wife instead OF YOU,
Belle" The father of the ladies, pat
ting his married daughter ON the shout
der iu au aIectiOnate way, said; 81
wouldn't Doe surprised If C0urtenay isn't
right. ] shall see Mr.. Stephens and
bring him around TO tea this evening
and we shall find out
Later iu the afternoon Mr.. Bland met
Mr.. stephens In the Office of Mr.. Me
Laws and asked him 90 which OF the la
dies he referred. and Mr. Stephens In
reply described the personal appearance
of Mrs. Courteuay, and remarked that
She was the only lady he had ever met
and loved 40 first sight; 10 which con-
feSsion Mr.. Bland made reply that the
lady in question had been married. Mr.
Stephens rcjOined that Inc did not care
n She had been married; that he desired
% renew his request 90 pay his addresses
Co her. and then Mr.. Bland, finding
that Young Stephens was ignorant OF
the fact that Mr.. COurtenay was living,
said. My daughters husband is living
and You see how vain your request is.
a shade of pain passed over the face OF
Mr.. stephens. and the invitation 10 tea
was. OF course declined.
Many years afterward, when Mr..
Stephens occupied prominent position
in Congress. q group of ladies in this
city were discussing. i'm the presence oI
Mrs. smith. the question as 20 why Mr..
StcDhrus had never married, and Mrs.
Patterson spoke mp and said the reason
Mr.. stephens had never married was
because he had loved where he was not
privileged tO ask for love in return. and
the subject was too sacred for him ever
Cd disclose the name of the lady. Mrs.
smith saws she could then have revealed
the secret. but did not and it Is now
given 90 the press for the first time.
The lady alluded Co above was a viva
cious south Carolina belle, and was cdu-
Gated 40 Ehzlbotht0wn. y. j.. and car
ricd of the houors OF her class. Re
turning she was married I'm this city IN
| this city iu the spring of 1924. Hei
| father resided the greater part OF Tho
time ON his plantation at Woodlawn
eight miles from Button. Miss Blanc
WAS a schooimate of Julia Palmer, wh'
married King Philip of France, and The
graceful dancing OF Miss Bland attract
ga the attention of the then heir appar
emit. who requested his iiancec to intro
duce him TO the lady whom he observed
picking mp % bouquet from the floor anC
/ replacing it ON her bosom as she Wen
| through the evolutiouS of the dance
/ Mrs. smith recalls the "reminiscences o.
dancing with the royal gentleman oil
| France with apparent pleasure.