The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-13
ROMANTIC SIDE OF JOHN
 RANDOLPH OF VIRGINIA

proud and gentle disposition, and she was the daughter of friend of Randolph s mother. It is not likely that she believed she could be. happy with a man of his dis position, although he would have always Worshipped her. But she must have un- derstood the peculiarities of his disposi- tion-his temper and arrogance, and fits of gloom and unnatural gaiety. She would, at least, have saved him from hmself-from the disorderly soltariness of his life in his latter years and from his discreditable appetites and habits which were formed because he had no one to influence or guide him.
 Maria Ward was engaged to Randolph for long period. and endured with pa tience his gusts of temper and jealousy. He was irascible, egotistic and exacting and his conduct was marked by moodi- ness and eccentricity of many kinds, but she probably discerned his genius, and also that which was good in him. The , end of the engagement was characteristic. One day, when he had paid the young lady visit. he was seen suddenly to emerge from the house with a counte- nance black as thunder He came quickly down the steps of the piazza and walked to the tree where his horse was tied, and instead of untying the reins drew pocxetknfe and cut them. He threw himself into the saddle. dashed the animal with his whip and rode off at a furious pace.
 From that time Randolph and Maria Ward never spoke. although they met once or twice afterwards. There was coldness. though not actual aversion in their looks and on her part something of the affection may have remained which. up to the last moment of his life, existed In his. The rupture Of this en- gagement. there can be no doubt, had a lasting effect upon the character and ca reer of Randolph. Many conjectures have been made IS to the causes. and there is a tradition that Miss Ward once said that 1t was trlhe. and nothing is more likely. for in love it is the trifies which are generally so serious, We may imagine from the circumstantial evidence sur rounding the parting and from the char acters of the two in the tragic occur renee that the gentleman with his domi- neerng disposition wished the lady to do something to which she objected, and finding her resolution equal to his own, he left her.
 How could he have expected, while stll suing as lover. to bend to his will a woung lady like Miss Ward. who was the grea test belle of the state. and to whom all male knees were suppllants. It was like Randolph. however. to seek to as. sume the authority of the husband when ne was as yet merely the favored puf- suer. Ii is said she felt sincere affec- tion for him. and an interest in his well fare which lasted while she lived She married Peyton Randolph. the son of Ed mund Randolph. who was secretary of state under Washington, and they lived very happily-a different sequel from the story of Mary Chaworth who tilted Byron.
 The fame of Maria Wards graces of mind and person has come down to our day, and she Is never forgotten when Nir- ginia beauties are mentioned General Lafayette was charmed with her and car ried his admiration 10 such a length that he would have adopted her had she per mtted. but 1t was out of the question: She died before the French patriot left this country.
 The loss of this beautiful girl had a lasting effect upon Randolph's spirit and character. He was not a man to be crossed in trifies; he was spoiled from hildhood-wllfu. impatient, proud he grew up-and so when this dsappoint- ment came it grieved him deeply and cruelty. And from that time lonely and misanthropic existence was his Her lovely Image. as we cannot but infer from