Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-07-25

it. AT the same time she asked great
and displayed so much curiosity that
Governor Morton thought she was
about to accede to Lis request. She did
not do so, however, and for some days
the minister was at a loss to know
how to proc aed. Suddenly there was
placed in bis hands, in an unsigned
note, the very information which he
sought. 1t was clear and satisfactory.
Though the intelligence came to him
anonymously, Mr.. Morton afterward
learned that it was Mrs. Chase who
had helped him out of his dilemma.
From that day Mr.. Morton was one of
Mrs. Chase's friends. Mrs. Chase was
, then resident of Paris, and was ex-
ceedingly popular in the higher social
circles of the French capital. Her
beauty, which at one time had been
remarkable, was now only dimmed.
No more brilliant and fascinating
American woman had ever been seen
in Paris.
1t happened about this time that Mr..
Blaine, between whom and Mrs.
Chase there had never existed any
good feeling, CHANGED to be in Paris.
Mrs. Chase was able to render him a
peculiar service in her peculiarly
gracious way. Mr.. Blaine was very
anxious to see a real French duel, an
, affair between parties of social or po-
| litical Importance. At that time duel
, ing was quite the rage in Paris, and
meetings were being held every few
days. But the affairs were managed
with a great deal of caution, and it
was only rarely that an outsider could
secure an invita- ton to be present. Mr..
! Blaine talked to a friend of. his desire
! to see a duel, and asked if there was
,, not some American in Paris who
could help him out. '9There is no one
here that can serve you in this par
ticular but Mrs. Chase, and you
wouldn't be under obligations to her,
would you?" replied his friend.
Mr.. Blaine thought he would if he
could, and Mrs. Chase was accordingly
asked to arrange for Mr.. Blaine's pres
ence at a Partisan duel. Within
week an opportunity presented itself,
and the diplomatic and popular Amer
lean woman was able ITO crafty Mr..
Blaine'S desire. He stood one gray,
cool morning, in a retired spot in the
suburbs of Paris, muffied in great
coat designed to afford him disguise,
and watched a French statesman Of
70 nd p
shots apiece at one another without
either being hurt. In recognition Of
this courtesy Mr.. Blaine, while secre-
tary Of state under Harrison, secured
an appointment in the consular service
for one &C Mrs. Chase's proteges.
Mrs. Chase is one of the few Amer-
can women who ever lad the pleasure
of Witnessing a real duel. One day in
Paris she accompanied French lady
of high social position to see duel IN
the outskirts Of Paris. Two journalists
of the bouleyardS were the COMBAT
ants. OF course, the ladies remained
in their carriages, and their preseace
was unknown to all, save one Of the
seconds, who had invited and escorted
them to the scene of conflict. For a
wonder, the duel was not a bloodleSs
one At the first shot one of the
belligerents was seriously wounded,
and as the blood spurted the Freucnt
woman in the carriage screamed, and
would have betrayed the presence Of
the feminine audience if Mrs. Chase
rad not clapped her hand over her
friends mouth and babe her be still.
The fair American was not at all dis
turbed by the sight of blood 1t is
said she smiled as if the show was
really one worth going 50 far to see.
Mrs. Chase has not been in society