The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-16
LEE OLE MATTE OULD.

An clement Of romance attaches itself
TO the thrilling story Of the life of Matte
Ould as told by the writer: IN the vi
cinity of one of Iichmonds fashionable
schools there was often seen on winter
afternoons, in the late sixties, group
of young girls. who possessed far more
than the usual attractiveness that be-
longs to health and youth. Two, at
least-Lizzie Cabell and Mary Triplett-
We're singularlv beautiful. The third. a
tall. slender girl, with a trim figure, dark
skin and hair and eyes, perhaps down
cast, q stranger would scarcely have OBJ
served. IT, perchaDCe. however as they
paused for a last word before separating,
the down-cast eyes were lifted, there gaZ-
ed from out their soft depths spirit that
transformed the entire face.
Before she was beyond the tutelage of
Ter old NANNY the piquancy of her wit
had established her title to popularity.
It had, moreover, much Of that audacity
that had characterized the wit OF anoth-
er Virginia belle. Ann Carmichael. or
Fredericksburg, who tiourished fifty years
earlier in the century. Conventionality
was d term With which Matte Ould had
no concern.
She was quoted through all grades OF
Richmond life. and long before she had
grown to womanhood q frequent ques-
y
what Matte Ould said?' Then every one
listened to her latest bon mot, which was
repeated until the whole city had heard
and laughed.
THE CELEBRATED TOAST.
The toast which is more celebrated
than any of her other equally clever ut
terances was offered at a supper given
at the White Sulphur. Springs, given in
honor of herself and another famous
Richmond belle, Mary Triplett. the late
Mrs. Philip HaXall Miss Triplett had
been asked to propose a toast and had
declined. Matte Oud. however. rose
without hesitation. lifted her glass. in
clined her graceful head towards Miss
Triplett, and in her clear. musical voice,
safd. Here's to beauty. grace and wit,
which. united. make a Trplett'
Though she was the object of the ar
dent devotion OF many men, she did not
marry until she had passed her twenty
fifth year.
It was ruinored that she was engaged
TO friend Of her fathers, a man many
years her senior, and the Indignation
with which her father received the news
of her marriage to Oliver Schoocrafr
substantiated in many minds the report
Of the engagement.
MARRIED SCHOOLCRAFT.
Her marriage occurred at the end of
the summer OF 1916, which she had spent
with her grandmother at the White Sui
pliur Springs. Thither Schoolcraft. one Of
the wcalthiest OF the younger Sc, of men
who adorned Richmond life. had follow
Cd her. taking with him his own vaiua-
bic horses ard traps, With which adiuncts
he was ever at her disposal They drove
over TO Salem one day and were quietly
married there that evening, at the home
OF Mr. and Mrs. John A. Mccall One of
Miss Guilds brothers and several of her
friends witnessed the ceremony AS no
preparation had been made for her mar
,iage. she wore, instead of the conven-
tionai white satin, q simple gown of white
orsandy, set off with bands of black
velvet. Schoolcraft took her to Rich
mond the day following their marriage.
where her father insisted upon having
the ceremony performed again. owing to
some technically Of the law to the effect
that marriage license should be obtain
ed at the usual place of residence of the
bride Though the spirit Of comradeship
had existed TO an unusual degree between
this father and daughter, he never for
gave her until 1t was too late for that
forgiyeness to be any comfort to hea