The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-24

4tA LSS@~4 AA%O Az 64AtAA5
arms Of h men who had reached the
shore. The captain signalled Mrs. De-
Rossett to follow him, urging her mean
while not to lose courage and promis-
ing that ne would carry her safely to
the shore. Into the water he plunged,
followed by the courageous woman.
Bidding her place her hands OF his
shoulders he grasped her firmly IN his
arms n dashed through the water.
on through the surf. and soon mother
and child were united again. A con
veyance was at once secured for them
and they. with the rest Of the party.
after a tedious twenty-mile drive over
the low sandy road, reached Whining
ton in safety.
But this did not suffice. Soon after
Mrs. DeRossett. nothing daunted. again
left Wilmington aboard the blockade
runner Tallahassee with Commander
Matfitt. She left. in h teeth OF a
storm. for Nassau. and succeeded in
reaching her destination with her child
in safety.
With the tender nuring OF a loving
wife. the husband recovered and Mr..
DeRossett at once took his family to
England. Lord Lytton was then the
lion of the hour.
Having heard of the heroism OF the
young American wife. now in his own
country. he sought an introduction. In
her he found the daughter Of an old
friend OF his. whom he once knew in
Charleston. around which a pretty ro-
nance centers.
Years before the war between the
States. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton hal
been British minister to the United
States. He had known the Scotch fam
lily of Ancrum, who had settled in
Charleston. (The tourist Of today may
see the ruins Of Ancrum Castle, at
E%dinburgh.) BY invitation he visited
them in their south Carolina home,
spending several weeks IN Charleston
as their guest, and he became very
much enamored Of one Of the young
ladies, and it is said wrote in her
"When stars are in the quiet skies,
Then most I pine for thee:
Bend on me then thy tender eyes
As stars look on the sea-"
TIE lacy wrote the music and the re-
facLion CT the stars in the water, seen
from the famous old Battery. to-
gether with the beauty Of Miss An
crum, and the fascination of the moon
light nights Of that soft Southern eli
mate. inspired the poet and peer to
write the song which is sung every
where by those who have never heard
the story of it's authorship.
Alas! Miss Ancrum did not return his
tender passion, but gave her heart to
another. Sir Bulwer Lytton left this
country and was sent as minister to
Constantinople. It was q strange
chance of fortune that after a lapse OF
years he should meet the daughter Of
his early American sweetheart.
Thus it was hat he introduced Mr..
and Mrs. DeRossett to the most ex-
; elusive circles in Great Britain and In
vited them to Knebworth Castle, his
most beautiful country seat. The baby
was baptized there, and he stood god
father for the little one. The DeRos-
sets toe a house in Kensington and
lived there until peace was restored.
Lord Lytton taught the little Gabrielle
to repeat his poetry and remembered
her in his will with a thousand pounds
n the copyright of his best dramas.
Mrs. DeRossett died in England, and
the little girl was brought back to hei
kindred in Wilmington to face with a
courage not unworthy of her mother
the changed condition of things. She
grew up to woman's estate and became
| the wife of the Hon. Alfred Moore Wad.
| dell, for many successive years a mem.
Der of Congress from North Caroline.
E.. WILLIS.
In the charleston News and Courier