The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-10

The engagement between Miss Lucretia
Jackson. OF 10 Eighteenth Street north
west. and Major O. L. Pruden. assistant
secretary to the President, was Cancelled
yesterday on account Of the Iatter's i'll
health
With the breaking Of the engagement,
which has existed for two years. van
ishes the prospect Of wedding bells as
the elimination Of a pretty romance.
which dates back to civil war times when
Major Pruden was in the army.
II had its beginning when Major Pru-
den met and was the sweetheart Of Miss
JacksOn's aunt. Miss Helen Paris. a IA
nous Washington belle, whom Miss Jack
son is said 10 resemble closely. Miss
Paris married in California and Major
Pruden married in Washington. Always
a friend Of Miss Jacksons mother. Major
Pru6en has known Lucret-a Jackson frcm
infancy About two years ago the en-
gagement between Major Pruden and Miss
Jackson was announced quietly to a .ew
friends. The marriage was to have taken
place next spring.
On Duty Despite III-HeaIth.
Major Pruden's health is poor. however
He still sticks 70 his work despite advice
TO take rest Every nomination that
goes from the White House TO the Caaftol
is carried by Major PrIIden, as is every
communication from the President TO
Congress. For over thirty years he has
been connected with the stan at the
White House.
For half dozen Administrations he has
written in a beautifully clear copper
plate hand the manuscript messages OF
the Presidents and then carried them 10
the Capitol TO be read TO Congress on the
opening day He is sixty years old. while
Miss Jackson is thirty-two
Broken by Mutual Consent.
1T was by mutual agreement that the
engagement was broken" said Miss Jack
son al her home on Eighteenth Street
last night. We thought f. uuwise 10 keen
mp the engagement in view Of the majors
bad health. although" she added with a
smile. If he improves there may be an
other announcement"
Miss Jackson IS regaUy tail. Her
friends say that her light brown hair ana
her eyes are the same as those Of Helen
Ierris. over which the beaux % Wash
lngton in the COS raved, and which
laid Major Pruden captive Miss Jack
son is secretary to the chief OF the SUD-
Ply division, War Department
Romance Plays Part.
There is a pretty little story con-
nected With our engagement. which was
known TO but a few friends" continued
Miss Jackson. Major Pruden has known
me ever since I was little girl Why.
he used 10 rock me 10 sleep
The romance began years ago when
Major PrUden was in the army. He came
10 Washington and started South with
the troops. He went however 10 fur
Jher IEan Alexandria. There his supe-
rlors found he was such an expert pen
man and possessed guch executive ability.
that he was detailed 10 clerical work. al
though DESTROYS Of going TO the front
After the war he returned 20 washing
ton and entered the War Department.
Major Pruden Meets Miss Paris.
1t was soon after this that he met my
aunt who was then Miss Helen Paris.
she Is now married and living in Cali
fornia. She YVES beautiful and a decided
belle. She and Major Pruden became
sweethearts- Major Pruden called often
al the house Of her father. who was a
son Of Governor Paris. Of Maine. who
served as Chief Executive OF the Pine
Tree state in the sos.
NO. they were never engaged. Finally
my aunt went to California. A few years
later she married out there. Major Pru-
den did not marry until after this His
wife died several years ago. He has al
Ways been a caller at our house. even
when I was quite small and lived in
HyatJsville. where / was born He was
always a kind friend, and ever took
great interest in me.
Within the last four years he has
called more than ever al our house. and
about two years ago the attachment was
formed which would have resulted in our
marriage in the spring had II not been for
mis- ill-health.
Perhaps" said Miss Jackson. again
he viii get better and-and there Will
be. as 7 said. another announcement"
Miss Jackson is very we'll known 10
Washington society. Through her mother
with whom she lives she is related &c
the old Riggs family Her father. who
died number Of years ago. was a mem
Der o. an old Maryland family. Miss
Jackson was educated in the Washington
schools