El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-07


thoughtfully superintended by a father
who was always kind if not always
wise. He resolved that she should
grow up supreme among all the women
of the land.
eff 1 could foresee,'' he wrote to his
wife in the days of her infancy, that
Thee would become a mere fashionable
woman, with all the attendant frivolity
and vacuity of mind, adorned with
whatever grace and allurement,I would
earnestly pray God to take her forth
with hence. But 1 yet hope, by her,
to convince the world what neither sex
appears to believe-that women have
souls!"
So she grew up a well educated, we'll
hammered, brilliant, witty and most es-
timable young lady. The cares OF
womanhood had been early thrust upon
her. At fourteen her mother had died
and she had become the sole sharer OF
her fathers home, the mistress of his
household, the friend and companion
of his mind. Then, in 1900, came the
separation. But it came in its least
poignant form. She was wooed and
married by a young gentleman of
South Carolina, who was every way
worthy of her. His name was Joseph
Aston.
1t is true that South Carolina was
then a twenty days journey from New
York. That was the most serious
drawback to the marriage for both IA
Their and daughter. But Theodosia
made long and frequent visits to the
home of her childhood. She wrote
back letters full of exuberant rapture
about the scenery around New York,
the society within it, and, above all,
about the renewed delights of her ia
theirs companionship. Sometimes Mr..
Aston accompanied her on these
visits. Later another travelling COM
panion was added.
This was Master Aaron Burr Aston.
He was Theodosia's only child. Next
to Theodosia he grew to be the dear
est object on earth to Grandpa Burr.
That gentleman was never weary OF
the lads company when he was at
Richmond Hill, nor could he ever hear
enough of his childish exploits and say
ings when he was at home.
Early in 1906 he turned his face to-
ward the great west, which was then a
new country. He went down the Ohio
river in a f1atboat. A few miles below
Marietta he came in sight of an island,
calm, secure, romantic, which took it's
name of Blennerhasset from the eccen-
trio Irish gentleman who owned it and
made it his home. Burr stopped here,
made the acquaintance of Mr.. Blenner-
hasset, and took notes of the military
capabilities of his home. AS he pro-
ceeded on his journey, first down the
Ohio, then the Mississippi, he carefully
surveyed the scenery all the way down
to New Orleans. Huge projects were
revolving in his head, which were en-
couraged by the cordial greetings he
received in Louisiana.
The government at Washington, he
thought is imbecile. Louisiana is dis
affected. Across the border the Span
iards are unquiet. What of an empire
in Mexico? What if the western
states, ultimately falling away from
the union, should cast their lot with
his, making New Orleans the capital
of a new nation, of which he would be
dictator?
He natures his plans carefully and
warily. He seduces Mr.. Blennerhasset
with visions of wealth, power and tit
ular grandeur. Mr.. Blennerhasset's
island home is to be the base of sup
plies for a contemplated expedition
Other men of wealth, energy or posi-
ton were interested in the scheme.
among these vera his OWN