The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-12-03
THREE IN A STRING
ELOPIMENT RUNS IN THE FAMALB
8. BLOOD OF THE FAMILY.

6IUUU VI In AMlLIs
Grandmother and Mother Before Her, and
Now, In the Third Generation, the
Countess Fsrseiew Keeps mp the Repu-
tation of the Family BY Running Away
With aud Marrying . Chors Boy Who
is scr.bbing His Way Through School
of Telegraphy in GAINESVILLE. Wls.-Some
Strange Coincidsness In It All.
GAINESVILLE, Wis, Dec. 1-For three gen.
esations back thematernal ancestors OF
the Countess Ferselew had clipped or
married against opposition, so when Miss
Alice Arthur Starrett, holder Of the title
by reaon OF in inheritance under the
laws of Denmark, quietly married Robert
c. Tetzlafr, poor cl1or boy this morning,
without telling her any thing about her
plans, she may have simply followed out
family custom"
EDUCATED at the convent at Lemars,
France, and having every advantage
wealth and station could command, the
countess chose poor student who cared
for the fires and did other chores about
nome Of the proprietor of the school that
ne attended as her life partner.Thus was
the nuptial romance that runs through
the three generations rounded ont by
the winsome young countess and the
embryo telegraph operator today, when
the young couple went quietly to the
home of the Rev. G. Kaempfiein of the
German Lutheran church and We're mar
ried. Then, as the young woman's an
cestors had done befroe, they took the
first train out of town to wait for the
clouds TO roll by.
HER GRANDMOTHER STORY
During the civil war ]. B. Doe, for
was one Of the leading men Of this part
Miss Martha, who was popular with all.
About this time Count Ferselew came to
America, the story goes, to fight for the
federal cause. The count met pretty
Martha Doe and fell in love. The ait
tachment was mutual, but It is said that
the parents did not looakwith favor on
the young couple decided to end it all
by getting married, and did 50.
Their nuptial sky was rosy with bliss
for time, put Count FerseIew and his
wife separated, ne returning to Denmark
end she remaining in the United States.
One child, a daughter, was the result OF
this union. This was the romance Of the
grandmother.
The daughter grew up and became
fair to look uponand when Captain Star
rett, handsome soldier, fell in love with
her, she recciporated, but her relatives
refused to sanction their wedding be-
cause Of the youth Of the girl. Love. as
usual, found the way, however. An
elopement was planned and carried out.
and an estrangement followed, the nus
band and wife separating. This was the
romance of the mother.
GOES TO DENMARK.
Like the other daughter who was born
to elope. Alice Starrett grew up and be-
came fair to look upon. One day a mes
sage came to her from Denmark, and
she went to that country to become iden-
titled with the house of Ferselew. Edu-
cation and polish We're necessary, and so
it was decided to send her away to school.
TIE famous convent at Lemars was sa
lected. Here the good nuns devoted their
time to the pretty girl from America,
who was to be the heir other noble grand
father. They fought her TO sing and TO
play, to paint, to embroider and to speak
five languages Then the count died.
The pretty young American girl was his
heircss, and as she had learned all the ac-
complishments that the convent could
afford her, she was presented at court
and her title Of countess officially recog-
nized.
Shortly afterward the countess re-
turned to America. Her grandmother,
Mrs Ferselew, and her great grand
mother Mrs. Doe, were still living here,
so the young countess came to Evansville.
Her stay, it was said, would be brief.
Time passed and the countess remained.
here. She was a goodlooking young
woman, under 20 years of age. She gave
lessonsin painting, embroidery. and
French TO pass the time. 1t was natural
she should notice the good-looking stud
ents vino passed her home each day on
their way to local school Of telegraphy.
The couple met by appointment this
mornig andand fifteen minute. before
the Milwaukee train left they appeared
at the depot as man and wife. The bride
mad left no message at home. whatever.
IL &C.
mother, who lisa sister OF ]. B. Doe, who
was assistant secretary Of war under
President Cleveland.