The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-19
A PHILADELPHIA ROMANCE.


A PHILADELPHIA ROMANCE.
Great-Great-Grandd lighter Of Pres
tdent Adams 10 the Heroine.
New York Journal
In hospital In Philadelphia learning to
be nurse is a great-great-granddau
OF John Adams. second president OF the
United States and one Of the founders of
the government.
Her name is Emma ONeill, and. despite
the fact that she is scarcely more than %
Yeas old, she possesses in not small de-
gree some of the characteristics of the dis
tinguishad family Of which she is proud
descendant.
Miss O'Neill's great-grandfather was a
son OF John Adams. of Braintree. Mass.
ard brother OF John Quincy Adams. who
served his country as president.
She Is also related to John Bartram, the
great American botanist, whose old home
and garden, facing the tortuous Schuyi-
Kill. Is today one OF Phiiadelphia's numer-
Gus beautiful parks, visited every day
by people from all parts OF the country.
The Eastwicks-prominent in colonial
days. and whose descendants are among
the most prominent families of the City
OF Brotherly Love-are also relatives of
hers.
Miss O'Neill IL a beautiful young wom-
an. Her mother-Hortense Adams ONeill
was OF family of four daughters noted
In Philadelphia alike for their beauty and
grace OF manners. She died a year ago
last August, and there closed life that
had for a number OF years been an active
participant In romance in which the
daughter Is said now TO have taken UP
the thu cad where the mother laid IL down.
As girl. Hortense Adams had many ad-
mirers. Her brightness. coupled with
disposition seemingly born of sunshine,
made her the envy OF her girl compan-
ions. and she never wanted for attention
from the young men of her set. She be-
came engaged to Edward Heaton. from
one of the oldest families of the city, and
whose father had been extremely sue
cessful financially In both the iron and
rubber industries. which were then In
their infancy and yielded big profits upon
the investment.
The engagement was hsralded as So
cial event. Heaton was constant in his
attention at the Adams home. Arrange
ments were begun for the wedding
Imagine the surprise that followed the
rumor. few weeks before the wedding.
that the engagement OF Hortense to her
young fance had been severed. II was
Hortense Adams who broke her engage
ment to Edward Heatou. She never I'M
parted 10 her most intimate friends any
reason for her act.
Still greater surprise was there among
the friends and Appropriateness OF Nor-
tense Adams when they learned OF her
marriage to Charles O'Neili He was a
popular young man. though his financial
prospects W re not so bright as Heaton's
After the wedding O'Neiu and his bride
went TO housekeeping In a modest homa
up town. They lived together happily,
and as result Of the union there came
daughter w 10
Ing to be nurse. One day the husband
died.
A few years after her husbands death
Mrs O'Neill began to receive the atten-
tons OF George Heaton, brother of her
former lover. Edward Heaton. who had
died broken hearted because of his reiec-
ton by the woman he loved. George Hea-
ton is very wealthy. and at ore time was
well known IN club circles in Philadel-
phia. He lives IN a fine residence on
Chestnut street, near Twenty-first street
In select neighbo-hood, and within A
block OF the old home OF Gen. Grant
George Heaton was lavish In his at
ttntions 20 Mrs. O'Nesll. and Il was gener-
ally known among the friends of both
that they world have been married long
ago only for the violent hatred OF Hea-
toms mother for Mrs. O'Neiil. because OF
ner reputation OF Edward For nearly
ten years George Heaton waited patient
~ for the death OF his mother. when he
should be made happy with his bride.
Mrs Heaton died In October. 1855. AZ
soon as consistent with the ethics OF So
ciety arrangements were begun for tha
long postponed wedding. which. because
OF Heaton's financial position and Mrs.
ONe!lFs family distinction. was to have
been great social function. Before the
day arrived Mrs. O'Neill was stricken with
paralysis. from which she never recovered.
Heaton was with her constantly during
her sickness, which terminated in Au-
gust.
A week before Mrs. O'Ne!u e;sd Emma.
nerves gave way. as the result % the pro-
longed strain, and she became desperately
III She was unconscious OF her mothers
death. and WAS not able 70 se al the house
al the time.
She was engaged 20 a young clerk bu.
her mothers Illness made IL necessary 20
postpone the wedding
Shortly after Emma recovered srora bar
Illness her friends were surprised TO learn
OF the breaking OF her engagement, with
her fance. She then set about n bes-4n
what should he a He Of usefulness
Connected with the Presbyterian ho~n,-
tai IL a training school for nurses DR.
Gifvin. the old family physician. gained
an admission for her. The prescribed
course IS three years. ard Miss CfSeiII
VIII coon enter upon her second year 7.
II required % each pupil 10 render th-~a
months Of night duty each year. ana Miss
o'Neiil is Just now responding 10 that re-
qulrement.
In appearance Miss OMEN IS o. fs.-
height with farm that would s-trac.
attention anywhere She has a wonder
suily expressive face. with eyes that ara
lustrogs. not 70 say bewltcrinw.
Perhaps the most interesting part OF .h,.
story IL yet 70 BE- told. According TO cur
rert rsrpor among the friends OF tyo.e
Miss O'Neill and George Hearon, ,hsIr
marriage before she is turned out a fnu.
f!edEs6 professional nurse L. rot arr,ony
the things unlocked for. Eeaton is aho,,.
~ years Old. bachelor and goo1~Iooktnx