The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-22
CHAIILOrIN TEMpLE.

Her Story Recalled by mn OLD Tombstone
In Trinity Church Yard.
Nclo York l,e&
There is a quiet flat, old tombstone in
the old Trinity church yard that is
never without flower, 1t is the goal
OF all historians OF old New York and OF
all sentimental journeyers, 1t covers
the grave OF the American Heloise,
lhere is q sentimental novel publish
ed in the early days OF the century
whose literary merit was absolutely
nil, but first editions OF it command
high prices, and cheap reprints can be
bought on any corner, It is by Mrs.
Rawson, who was one oil Americas ear
liest actresses, and it is the story OF
Charlotte Temple. Mrs. Rawson was
tho daughter OF Lieutenant Haswell OF
the English army, and in the early
days OF the revolution his property was
COntiscated while he was stationed in
Rhode Island, and he was compelled to
return to England. His daughter who
was Il friend oil James Otis, and already
noted for her beauty and cleverness,
married Rawson, musician, and went
on the stage, acting usually in her own
plays,
But the story she dared to write OF
what was in reality the dlshonorable
conduct OF her own kinsman-in short,
the novel OF Charlotte Temple-is the
claim she has upon the memory OF the
present day.
Col, John Montressor, who is the
Monlravlle OF the novel, was Mrs. Raw
sons cousin, man famous for his cour-
age, beauty and charm OF manner.
In IVA he was stationed near girls
school in England, aud there saw beau
tiiul Charlotte Stanley, the grand
daughter OF the Earl OF Derby.
Through the connivNnce OF French
governess in the school, he was able to
meet Miss Stanley, who was very beau
tiiul, and only sixteen years old, She
was nattered by the attentions OF the
gallant and famous officer, and when lie
was ordered to America, he persuaded
her to elope with him. The French
woman also came, promising TO keep
Charlotte under her wing until they
could reach America and be married,
On tho way the governcss met an
elderly New York man, and when she
reached America abandoned Char
lottc. BY this time Montresssr's alice
ton had cooled, and he put one obstacle
after another in tho way OF the marri-
age. lie placed Charlotte in country
house several miles from New York,
and made his visits to her fewer and
fewer. Afraid and mortified at her posi-
ton, tho poor girl did not write to her
family nor lose her mad infatuation for
Montre'sor.
Finally shc discovered that he was
about to be married to tho daughter OF
New York merchant. She left the
house where she was, and walked, thin
ly clad, through a violent snow storm,
to the house OF the FrcnChwoman only
to bo cast out One OF the servants
took pity upon her aud took her to his
own miserable home in Doyers street,
Her father had at last found the clew
to her hiding place and had crossed the
ocean to find her. New York was not
so large then, and he reached the mis-
cradle hut where his daughter was ly-
ing Just in time TO see her die.
1t is the tradition that Montrcssor
was passing when the funeral was tax.
ing place and seeing her father realized
that it was Charlotte who was being
buried. He was overcome by remorse,
and handing his sword to his father,
begged him to kill his daughters muir
drrcr. and let them DO buried in one
grave. But it is only in tradition that
rcmorsc is so active. Colonel Montressor
lived for many years.
After Mrs. Rawson told her story and
all the readers began TO visit the grave,
the arms OF Stnnley and the name were
removed from the tomb and the name
oil temple substituted.