The Washington herald., 1907-07-09
BLEAKHOUSE TO BIZ SOLD
Newport Estate Of Ross R. Winans,
Princess de Bearn's Father.
II Recalls the Jolly Princes Esca-
Pades When He Was Stationed
I'm Warrington.

Bleakhouse, the Newport estate OF Mr..
Ross R. Winans. the father Of the Prin-
cess de Bearn, is 10 be sold TO Mr.. Mars
den J. Perry, OF Providence.
The Prince de Bearn and de Chalais
was one Of the most agreeable and popu-
lar young men Of Washingtons dipIo-
matte corps.
He was an honorary attache Of the
French Embassy about two years ago
and 1t was said ne came 10 this country
to seek a rich wife. Be that as il may.
the prince was q delightful gentleman
and a most democratic one democracy
being luxury that a prince with a
lineage hundreds OF years old can afford
He was withal. extremely frank. and
one day in conversing with a young
Washington girl. the subject Of CONVEX
sation turned upon the liberty Of the
American girl. The young lady remarked
that some times she thought the Ameri-
can girl had too much liberty. whereupon
the prince replied. "Oh. no. Not at all
II she uses il right. well and good; If cot,
well with a shrug), so much the better
for the rest Of US"
country, but It was not until ne returned
to Europe that he found a wealthy Amer
lean bride. That was Miss Winans. Of
Baltimore who was abroad at the time.
As an example OF the jolly times the
prince had in this country may be
quoted the evenings he and some other
young diplomats used 10 have at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Bell. when,
the young people, under the lead OF the
vivacious young daughters Of the house.
used 10 repair 10 the kitchen to make
fudge, on which occasions the young heir
10 title hundreds OF years old was
known to repose on the flour barrel
Another escapade Of the prince happen
ed one night when he drove the Bell car
rage down Connecticut avenue, he on
the box and the young ladies inside.
a joke told about the prince was at
the expense Of his very marked atten-
tons 10 a young lady who appeared at
one Of charity balls She was young.
attractive. and. it was whispered to the
prince. extremely wealthy The prince
was assiduous in attention. Later he
and every one else was aghast to dis
cover that the charming young girl was
Zone other than a young brother cf the
Misses Bell. dressed up for the occasion.
as a girl for a jOke-a joke some took
rather seriously.
Leaving Washington. the prince re-
turned to France, and there he met his
American wife. In exchange for her
wealth, he gave her title among the best
in EUROPE. and some priceless jewels.
heirlooms in his family for years.
Among them was a necklace given to a
relative Of his by the unfortunate Q,ieen
Marie Antoinette; a necklace the Queen
herself had worn, but which she gave 10
her friend as a souvenir OF their imprison-
ment together during the reign of terror.
To return 20 the summer resort place,
Bleakhouse has attracted the attention of
hundreds who have sailed into Narragan-
sett Bay through the narrow east pas
sage, on the eastern bank OF which the
villa stands. high and picturesque. Many
more who have driven along Ocean ave
nue. have remarked the beauty of its
architecture and its location. It was built
five years ago
Mr.. and Mrs. Winans occupied Bleak
house regularly until their daughter was
married to the prince and took up her
residence abroad. Then Mr.. Winans de-
cided to place the estate on the market.
and since Mrs. Winans died in France
last winter he has been anxious to sell II.
lie is in the country resting.