The Washington weekly post., 1900-04-10

Lieut. Vladimir Bodisco. Marine de-
Russe," is the inscription this week writ
! ten on a Washington hotel register. ana
for the first time In many years a name
| which was famous in town IN ante -beIium
| days IS again heard IN the streets Of the
| Capital
Lieut.. Bodisco, OF the Russian navy.
who has been cruising with the Russian
SHIPS IN Oriental waters. has obtained
ieaEe TO visit his birthplace, and his re-
| turn brings 10 life again the romance IN
| Whlch ms mother played conspicuous
part and the ma rriage Of which he Is the
sole surviving child. as well as emphasizes
the fact that MS only living relative OF
Russian blood in this country is row an
inmate OF the Louise Home in this city.
Way back in the 4O's. when Washington
was but muddy town, innocent o. as
phalt streets or electric lights George
| town was the center of fashionable H!e
for, being an older place than the new
Capital, which vas spring.Hg I'D in the
marshes along Tiber Creek, II held is
head a bit higher than the folks who
oongregated about the inns in the Capital
The Russian legation was then situated
on Thirty-hrst street and the Minister
from that country was "a Count BOdisco.
a man of about fCrty-five years. very un-
attractive in appearance but blessed with
riches ard the entree into the best circles
OF society here and abroad
Won the Russians Love.
Near the Russian legation lived the fam
lily of Mr.. Williams people prominently
identified with the social and business in
terests of the old burg. There we're sew
eral daughters in the family. but tha
lOvelieSt of all was Harriet She was then
a schoolgirl, vet she won the heart ami
hand of Bodisco. On her way 10 her
school she was every day Obliged TO pass
the legation. and the count. so il is said,
fel desperately IL love with the dainty
maiden as she tTippad home with hr-
looks under her arm. He made an Clrer of
marriage to the girl. who was not ye,
sixteen, and the proposal was accepted
The wedding took place in Georgetown.
ana was one Of the fashionable events OF
those days. Daniel Webster. who was a,
that time Secretary of State. being among
the guests. which included al OF the dip
!omatic people and government officials.
Bodiseo sent TO Paris for dozens Of beau
tiful gowns. and these filed the wardrobes
Of the brides new home. SO lovely was
the young countess and so ugly her hus-
D~A4aNB tilell tlIt9 were hHOhn over tOMU
as the beauty AMI the beast"
Very soon after the wedding a diplo-
matte dinner was given at the White
House and the beaming young bride
made her first public appearance, bearing
off the palm of loveIiness easily
At the Russian legation was another
young girl, Miss Caroline Bodlsco. a nice.
10 the count. Mr. Brooke Williams.
brother to the countess, fell victim tn
the Russian maidens charms aud married
Miss Bodisco, so that the countess was at
the same time step-aunt and a sister
in-law to the niece of her usband. From
the day of her wedding TO the present
Mrs Williams has made her home on
American soil and never since left the
land or her adoption. The Williams had
handsome home I'm Georgetown.
Would Not Dance on sunday.
Count Bodisco took his bride 70 Russia
and presented her to TIE Car. AT 81. Pc
tershurs her free American ways created
much amusement. especially as she was
out beautiful child. on one occasion she
was invited by the Czarina to attend a
dance at the palace on Sunday night. nut
the countess calmly explained 10 the cou-
rier that she would be obliged to send her
regrets she being unable to a tend a dance
on Sunday on account Of her religious
scruples. When BOGiscO heard Of the mes
sage returned by his wife to the Car, he
was in anguish for fear of the imperial
displeasure but her majesty took the mat
ter as a fine joke.
Nhen the countessA was presented a.
court, she quietly sfAok the cars hand
Instead Of making deep curtesy as et!-
quette required. After the return Of the
couple to Washington the count died, and
his grave Is out in Oak Hill, where so
many other famous people rest. All Of his
children, except the present heir, who this
week visited his old home, are dead. two
sons and the still beautiful countess hay
Ing been drowned IN 1878 on board of the
Inflated Pumarania The present heir,
Lieut.. Vladimir. is the sole survivor Of
his fathers family. and has been for many
years in the Russian navy.
Mr.. Williams was al the time of his mar
rage well-On man. but los- much money
N speculation. Gradually the estate IN
which the family had been reared and
about which many a romance had been
woven, passed out Of his hands. and When
ibOut six or seven years ago h. died, he
eft his widow Childless and In most hum
Die circumstance. Having many infiuen-
4dl LitHus ana being most beloved and
lady, Mrs. Williams was ad-
nitted 70 the Louise Home. founded by
;orcOran, and has resided there for the
asst four years.
For the first time In many long years
'oung Bodisco and his aged relative. Mrs.
Williams, met this week, after many sad
hanges In the life Of both Now the de-
cendant Of the beautiful Georgetown g.rl
5 speeding on MS way home 10 Russia,
While behind him alone in the capital o.
Ier adopted country, is his aged aunt
assiug ner days IN the sunny seclusiou gf
1 I..I--. EI.rrD