The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-01
FRESH GOSSIP
FROM GOTHAM
Death of Pompeo Maresi, the Famous
New York Caterer.
AsKsHERH HUSBAND FoRFREEDoM
Southern Man aud Brooklyn Bride
Separated for Nine Years Now Hap
PLY Iseunited-Each Thought
the Other Dead.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31-SpcCial.-IWen-
ty-four wears ago Pompeo Maresi landed
in this country from Italy, q pennlless
boy. He died yesterday, leaving an es-
tate valued at about one million doilars.
He had palatial residence in Brooklyn
and a castle on Lake Como, ltaiy' near
the point where he was born tie Began
in New York as waiter in a restaurant
ynere he served four years. By TINS time
he had saved enough money to start in
business for himself in small way.
He had talent for money making ana
ibis place soon became famous, OF
the past ten years or more he mad oc.
cupied leading position on the list OF
the city's caterers. He aided in nearly
all the great social events that nave
taken place here, and his name on the
card was a guarantee that the enter
tainment would be the best He was q
hard worker, yet he found time 70 ENJOY
life. spending most of his leisure mo
ments at his elegant home He had an
interesting family, consisting of Wiz
one son and three daughters. Recently
he had spent several months OF each year
in his castle on Lake Como.
A WIFE'S REQUEST.
Louise Hepner, who is playing Prln.
cess Chic recently addressed a mover
letter to her husband, William Hepner
who is a theatrical wig maker in this
city. The letter ran as follows:
Dear Will-What I am->GoinS 10 ten
you in this letter will shock you terribly
I know, but, believe me, If could SPARE
you the pain I you'd gladly 90 So. l
am going to appeal to you now to DO
me the greatest favor OF my ne; 10 give
me back my freedom
I know you will feel badly and think
that you are the most unhappy man IN
the world, but, believe me, VIII, Wne.i
tell you that you will soon look Z.
this step we are both about to take ana
agree with me it is best for both OF us
Now. don't storm or cry out, but be
sensible, and above all, don't let 1t make
Won i'll.
ASKED TO PROVE HIS WORD.
You know you have oftell told me that
you would do anything in the world to
make me happy. Now, VIII, ask you
to prove it. Do give me my free
dom and make me happy. You know
II am not a foolish woman who does
things on the impulse OF a moment
II have known for long time, and l
think you have, too, that there was some
thing missing, and it is this, VIII. While
I respect and honor you, and am grate-
full to you for all your great Kindness
to me, know now that do not love
s you as HluCn as Il vie S!iooio AosS 80
husband.
We are both young. and it is sin
to blast our lives. You deserve a dear.
sweet wife, who will make your home
paradise. All I hope and pray is thai
you. will find such woman. Now. VIII.
I want you to think this over calmly.
know your first impulse will bs to make
a scene. but i am sure on calm retiec-
ton YOU will see that am right. Be
generous and grant my prayer Will
await your reply to this letter with all
the anxiety that you know I must feel
LOUISE.
z 'sYou have aimed at a fine sentiment.
the husband replied. but it IS redolent OF
cheap novels and por:ade. II you
imagine that T can be carried away by
burst of generous impulse. you have
not made use of your opportunities TO
study me-
There will no doubt be divorce pro
ceilings, but Mr. Hepner will not be the
defendant In the case. -
s REUNITED AFTER NINE YEA RS.
: Nine years ago James Martin @Wect
and Josephine O.Neil. q Brooklyn Girl,
were wedded in the Church of the
Strangers. West is southerner 10y
birth, and was then in the silk business
and wealthy He had a store in New
York and another in Texas. He ard
his bride went to live in 1Passaic. NJ.
where they had a handsome honsa They
lived happily for nearly nine months.
and then s financial disaster overlook
west. He sent his wife ito SsM YORK