The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-04-11

mas become so COMMON among the stu
dents here that now that spring has
come scarcely day passes that the
humble mound does not receive its dec
grafton. Just how this idea originate
is a puzzle 1t is a curious example of
the effervescence Of the college boys
sentmentality-and a pretty one. The
grave Of Aaron Burr, which is also in
Princeton, is not. il is needless to say.
similarly hOnored-though ii is an object
of interest TO the students.
The story that links these graves to-
gether is a romance of the early days Of
the republic, and it is sad and tragic in
its way as any of fiction.
1t was in 1863 that Aaron Burr made
his appearance in Princeton. 1t was in
the year when Wing hall was founded
and before the Boston tea party had
been thought Of He was only fourteen
years Old His father had been presi-
dent OF the college, and Jonathan Ed
wards, his grandfather, was president
when he entered. His intellect was Won
derfully developed for his age.
He led a lonely life. caring little for
the society OF his fellow students. much
for that of his books. In religion he was
a skeptic; in morality. of loose principle
"a wide contrast 10 his CalVinistic an
cestors.
In this solitary way he passed his first
two years of his college course He was
then ready to graduate. but the family
refused to allow him TO do so on &C
count of his extreme youth. His senior
year was therefore passed with little 10
do in the way of college studies. he
spent his time in reading and in taking
long walks about the town.
He Met Catherine Bullock.
1t was some time in the spring Of 1772
that he met Catherine Bullock, the
daughter of d farmer whose land abut-
ted the town How or when he met her
is not related She was a young, ignor-
ant and beautiful girl, slightly older
than Burr, blooming in riotous beauty.
full Of life and passion. He was also
very young, well formed, with a face
of manly beauty and intelligence. Al
ready his manners had much Of that
suave grace which made the titled Wo-
man OF Europe love him in after years
when he fled the country a despised
and rejected outcast He was full of
ideals, and embodied his ideal in the
passionate rustic beauty OF catherine
Bullock.
Each loved the other-he with the
brief, fierce passion that kills the object
of its love; she with the steadier flame
of sdora ton that burns on and on
destroys the heart in which il burns.
He told her Of his love in the flower
strewn fields as they walked together
in the grand old forests, where then
the progress of civilization had made
no IMPRESSION He swore the old false,
sweet vows that have cursed many a
woman's life before and since. And she
listened all too willingly, forgetting her
stern farmer father. her lowly position,
the rank and fortune Of her lover.
Then came the commencement. and
Burr went away. promising To- return
and to keep the vows he had sworn.
He departed. but he never came again.
The mad current OF life in New York,
the exciting events preceding the reVo-
luton caught and swept him away
away into a wider and broader life in
which she had no part. She waited on
patiently. silently. enduring the thoughts
N the shame that must soon come upon
her. never faltering in her love. Perhaps
once or twice a badly spelled tear
stained note came to disturb the pleas
ure of the miscreant lover. But doubt
less. also, he never paid any attention
to it. for women We're always kind TO
Aaron Burr, and many victim fell be
Meath the charm of his address. Inc
country girl. with the radiant cheeks
and the glowing form, was remembered
with some remorse, with more impd-
thence.
The summer came. and Princeton took
on its fairest dress. The shout of the
student. the quick ring Of the chapel
bell. the hum and hustle incident to
college life-all were hushed. The town
slept beneath its leafy bower. But the
peace and quiet Of town and country
side but intensified the wild struggle OF
the lonely girl with her burden OF sor-
row. Her stern and religious parents
would look upon a departure from the
straight and narrow path as crime
- inf
dants. none whom she could trust.
Died of Her shame.
With the autumn came the revelation
of her secret. the bursting OF the wrath
about her. and with it all the birth Of
the nameiess child. Slowly, but surely
Catherine faded away. The bright color
left her cheeks. Her eyes. long since be-
reft OF their sparkle, now were istless
and dead And ever heavier and
heavier bore the weight OF her shame.
The kindly face of her father regarded
her but with frown, and mother eyes
filed with tears at sight Of her. while
the white hairs were soWn thick In the
heads Of both.
At last death gave her release. Moth
er and child passed away into the silent
realm where no dream OF sorrow dis
turbs the sleeper. Brief and troublOus
was this life-full of shame and grief
and sadness. Right dearly had she
bought the love she priced so highly.
Basely was she betrayed
In the meadow Of her fathers farm.
where she and Burr had wandered to-
gether beneath the myriad stars. tread
ing the sweet cool grass beneath their
feet so swift TO run in the inviting by
way of Illicit love. there they laid her.
And in the same grave. says the legend,
they laid her child also. The headstone
tells when she died and when she was
born, but tells nothing more.
II is a lonely spot. I'm the rear of Presi-
dent Patton's house. But there Is
well worn path To the grave. made by
the students.
over the hills and down In the valley
I'm the center of the town Is the regular
cemetery. In its confines are the graves
OF the prominent men and women OF
aristocratic old Princeton. There are
also the tombs OF the illustrious presi-
dents Of the college There too. is the
grave Of Aaron Burr. 1t was dug In the
night. at the foot OF the remains of his
father and grandfather. There the rest
less. stormy life found It's rest
Tortuous and long was the journey.
strange and varied the events which
crowded that life from the time he be-
trayed the gentle Catherine until he
came aRain-old. worn and nfeless. ON
the headstone. Clipped by the vandal
tourist are these words.
AARON BIfRR