The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-01-24
HE LOVED AND LOST.
Alexander II. stephens Lived and Die
Enclplpr,

Alexander II. stephens Lived ana Died
Bachelor.
There was always much speculation
during the life OF AlcEanderH Stephens
why he never married, nor did this spec
ulation cease after he had gone TO the
grave, a celibate. johnson d Brownies
"Lifo Of Alexander II. Stephens" gives
one version, and tho News upon the
authority Of tho lady Interested, gives
another version, but as to what is the
best founded, or whether there is some
foundation for both versions, the reader
must draw his own conclusions
The Life of Alexander IL. Stephens" :"
alluded to, says that when Mr.. Stephens
was teacher at Madison, Morgan Coun-
ty, Ca, in the fall Of 1882, he lost his
heart. It 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 at this school was young 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 grew to love with 4 depth
of afToQtion all the creator that it was
condemned to hopelessness and silence.
The 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 he never spoke Of it toher
nor to any untilageneration 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 tho story is Mrs, Caroline
Regina Maria Smith, linoal descend
ant of Lord Richard Portiyal Bland.
Mrs. Smith says that when Mr., Steplans
was in Savannah he met herself then
tho wife Of Edward Thomas Courtcnay,
her unmarried sister, Belle, and their
father, and after the meeting Mr.
Stephens asked permission to pay his
| addresses to Mr.. Bland's 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 n suitOr,
whereupon Mr.. Courtenay spoke up and
said 81 think my wife is the younger
4OOhLllE5 biNA bLIb lllOSb iINANoOLIl'q ul4NA
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 tho
shoulder in an affectionato way, said
II would not be surprised if Courtonay
is right; shall see Mr. Stephens ant
bring him around to tea this evening
then we will find out"
Later in the afternoon Mr.. Bland me
Mr.. Stephens in the Office Of Mr. Nc
Laws, and asked him to which Of tn,
ladies he referred, and Mr. Stephens de
scribed the personal appearance Of Mrs
Courtenay, and remarked that she wa
tho only lady he had oyor motand love
at first sight; to which confession MI
Bland made reply that tho lady in quos
ton had bccn married. Mr.. Stephen
rejoincd that he did not care if She ha
been married; that he desired TO rene,
his request to pay his addresses to heI
and then Mr. Bland said; My daugh
ter's husband is living, and you SC
how vain your request is" A shade c
pain passed over tho face Of Mr. Stept
ems, and tho invitation to tea was Dc
clined. Savannah (Ga,) News.