The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-12

Romantic Story of Her Marriage to tho
Famous Novelist.


An official high in the employ of the
government said to me the other day:
"The story of how Robert Louis Steven
son got his wife has never been told in
print, believe. The story sounds almost
like chapter from a novel, but is, never
theless. absolutely true in all its details.
"In 1885, I. young man, became init
mately acquainted with Samuel c. Os-
borne, who was then private secretary to
Governor Willard, of Indiana. Osborne
was magnificent fellow in personal ap-
pearance and magnetism. He was versa
tile, scholarly, witty, quick as the light
ning's flash in repartee and fine must
clan. That man could draw sweeter tones
from flute than any man l ever knew.
Well, in 1853 Osborne married black-eyed
Miss Vandegrift; she was not beautiful by
any means. but rather attractive. At that
time he was in the office of the reporter of
the supreme court OF Indiana and was
making good money.
I'm 1861 James b. Beach, reporter of the
supreme court. and Osborne, both of whom
had saved up few thousands Of dollars,
started for Arizona. Sam had his wife and
two children, a boy and a girl, and he
took them along. Arrived at Arizona,
Beach and Osborne bought mine with
their savings and in about a month were
offered 500, 900 in cash for their bonanza
Beach wanted to hold on for larger offer,
and inside of six weeks they could not sell
il for dollar. Osborne headed for San
Francisco and reached the Golden Gate
with 81 in his pocket. He knew a good
deal of law and was good stenographer,
one of the fastest in the country at that
time. This accomplishment stood him in
hand. for he was soon making lots of
money, and sometimes he used to write TO
me he would get 81 900 for reporting sim
gle case. AS years went on the daughter
and son grew up and were sent abroad to
finish their education. The son went TO
England and the, daughter to France. The
mother went to Europe and spent sea-
son or two with them.
The last time Mrs. Osborne went over
was in 1883, and then she met Robert
Louis Sievenson-I believe it was in
Paris. She at once wrote back to her
husband and told of meeting the literary
genius. and told of an affection she had
formed for him. Osborne evidently
thought this a merely piatonic affection,
and l guess had good reason to think so.
| for he wrote her if she loved Stevenson to
come back TO San Francisco and obtain a
divorce. She did this. and as soon as the
| divorce was granted the invitations for her
marriage with Robert Louis Stevenson
| were sent out The bridegroom was in
Wv "a w VIC Wv RipSccOiAiSS vs.
! borne was invited TO the wedding and he
accepted He appeared on that evening
! dressed faultlessiy and having on his arm
/ q lady of rare beauty. The wedding over,
| the new Mrs. Stevenson introduced her
! new husband to her former one, and Os-
| borne in turn represented the lady on his
/ arm as Mrs. Samuel c. Osbornei He had
/ been married quietly 70 her as soon as the
! divorce was granted. Osborne would have
made no outward sign, but the episode
! broke his heart. He went 10 Australia
! and Stevenson TO Samoa. | have never
/ heard from Osborne since. The places
! and men that knew him know him no
| more and / do not know whether ne is
| living or dead"