The herald., 1896-02-19
MRS. CLEVELAND'S ROMANCE

New YORK, Feb. 14.--Mrs. Cleveland
now the first lady of the land, is reported
to have broken many hearts when she
married Grover Cleveland, but the lates.
that has come to light is that of f. NJ. Bell
the well-known actor, who recently
died of paresis in sanitarium in Con-
necticut. The story OF the romance is as
follows:
Sixteen years ago Mrs. Cleveland was
frankie Folsom. the merry, brown-eyed,
brown-haired daughter of Attorney Fol
som of Buffalo, \. y. She was quite like
any other American girl of refined birth,
eScep; that she was prettier, and her gem
tie manner won more hearts. She
lived in Buffalo then. and there, too, was
Edward Bell, a handsome young at
torney.
He was graduate of one of the best col
leges, somewhat older than Miss Folsom,
and he looked forward to making her his
bride. Miss Folsom. too, hoped, when she
had finished her education, TO become Mrs.
Bell. 1t was fitting match. they all said ,
that youth should be united with youth,
beauty with beauty and intelligence with
Intelligence. To be sure, there was Mr..
Cleveland. the family friend, who called to
see Mrs. Folsom and her daughter. But
then, he was only papa's friend, and Mr..
Bell undoubtedly referred to him mentally
a ian old duffer." or ''bore," and what
not, Miss Folsom laughed and fondly
c ,lled Mr.. Cleveland "Uncle." 1t is not
recorded whether the future president
WINGED at this, but being man it was
probably the case.
few years more passed and saw Mr..
Cleveland governor from sheriff of Buffalo.
Ibis was indeed a change, for the county
hangman is not the man that one would
expect to he fit for doling out mercy and
ciemency. 1t was like a fairy tale or a
governor. and has no mean position.
Miss Folsom was in Wells college, on
beautiful Lake Cayuga, and Governor
Clevelands picture was most prominent
in her room. More miracles then came
about. Sheriff Cleveland was now presi-
dent Cleveland, and this was an honor in
deed.
The White House must have mistress,
and who so we'll suited to that position as
Miss Folsom, young, beautiful and accom-
plished. Then a still, wicked voice whis-
pered in Miss Folson's ear that it was bet
ter to be the wife of the president than
plain. obscure Mrs. Bell. The voice con-
quered, and about ten years ago. in the
White House one beautiful spring day,
Miss Folsom became Mrs. Cleveland.
In Buffalo there was rejoicing. and all
were gay but one. This was Attorney
Bell. He sat alone in his office and thought
bitter thoughts of women and their weak
ness. Possibly tear stole down his cheek
"a hot, heavy, sorrow-laden tear. Then a
choke and he walked out into the night.
He would be gay with the rest of these
happy people. Why not? There was
wine and music and dancing, and he would
rev ell in it. He did.
Clients came less frequently to the young
lawyers office; then they came not at all.
He would "be back in fifteen minutes" was
a sign one day hung out. He did not come
back at all. He went on the stage and at
tanned a large degree of success, but he
drank more heavily each week. After a
few years he married Maude Harrison, the
actress. Three months ago his end came,
and he went into the next world with his
eyes fixed on all the horrid. uncanny things
that come to the madman's minds. F.
HuI1etin