The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-08-18
IN MEMORIAM.

EOr SS years the mouse at 20 Bona
street-a specimen of fine New York
residence of so years ago and long the
only private house remaining on what
is now business thoroughfare-has re-
manned closed, except that caretaker
occupies the basement. Above this the
blinds are tightly shut, and pull at
the front doorbelI awakens no response
The house has deserted, deoaying look,
and even the large doorplate has grown
SO tarnished that one reads with difficult
ty the name, "H. Ward"
Henry Ward died many years ago,
and his son, Henry Hall Ward, then be-
came owner of the house. 1t is since his
death that the upper portion of it has
remained closed and, SO far as the pub
lie knows, unfrequented by any human
being. Yet around this decaying resi-
deace there clusters one of the most
charming romanoes, one Of the most
touching real love stories.
One sharer in this romance passed
away when Henry Hall Ward died 2e
years ago. The other figure in this ten
der drama, Miss Elizabeth Ann Par
fridge, is still living, at the age of "a, in
a house to which she came on a twc
weeks visit to an aunt 40 years ago.
There she has remained ever since, sur
viving all who were occupants Of the
house at the time when she arrived fol
fortnight's visit, which has now last
ed twoscore years. The aunt whom she
came to visit was Mrs. William G.
Ward, a relative of Henry Hall Ward.
The romance of their lives dates further
back than this, for Miss Partridge lived
with Henry Hall Ward and his mother
until the latter's death.
The romance of the old Bond street
house dates from the death of the mar
she loved and who loved her; whom sht
was accustomed to walk half way dowI
town to meet every day,on his way
home from business, and from whom
on his death, she inherited life inter
est in practically all his large estate
| but whom, for reasons which all wht
have known of her romance have puz
zled over, she never married. Some say
the family opposed the marriage on ac
count of their close relationship, fo
| they were cousins. Be that as it may
Henry Hall Ward and Eliza Ann Par
fridge furnished New York society will
romance for many years, and ever
now those who have been in society
| long enough to remember the circum
stances love to dwell upon it and t
| point to it as tender shoot springin.
up in society in which much is though
to be calculating, frivolous and vain.
When Henry Hall Ward died at Sara
toga, in 1872, the executors to whom
the bulk of his estate was left in trus
for Miss Partridge wondered what dis
| position she would make of the oil,
Bond street house. Business was alread.
beginning to spring up in its vicinity
It was valuable piece of real estate
and capable, if improved, Of yielding
large income. But Miss Partridge acte,
promptly and in a way which more thai
anything else she could have don
showed how tenderly she held her low
er's memory. There were two servant
in the house-Mr. Ward g valet and tn
latter's wife. To them she gave stric
orders that in the floors above the base
ment not a thing was to be touched
Everything, even to the books and pa
pers, was to remain exactly as MI
Ward had left them when he went t
Saratoga to die. The two people VIII
had so faithfully served her lover dul
ing his life were to remain in care c
the house.
Further than this. however, Mis-
Partridge showed an interest in th
home of her lover which served to kee
the romance of her life fresh in tn
minds of all who knew her Every da
she walked down from her residence i
Thirty-seventh street to the old Bon
street house and went through it, salts
flying herself that except for the me-
lowness of added age everything re
mained exactly the same as her love
had left it. Day after day the lionel
) figure was seen entering the house. an
day after day she came forth as if frol
the tomb of her hopes. Only one chang
took place in the interior aspect, an
that change was due to her devotion
her lovers memory. To appreciate
one must know something about til
house and one of its inmates hobbies.
This house is an old fashioned brio
structure, with q basement. three storit