The Washington herald., 1909-06-27
EDITH WOODILL. THE
BEAUTIFUL GODDESS OF
MYSTERY TO VILLAGERS

4Atle certainty nave Deel rev instances
when a single young woman who talked
above the natives. dressed above them.
lived a different life from the quiet plod-
ders OF the villagers has occupied the ad-
miration OF a whole community as Edith
Thompson WoodHI did She wore clothes
that made the country girl stare and
caused the cid fellows who saw her fash
by on afternoons 10 shake their heads
doubtfully.
Her conversation was intimately Of
matters that the country folk had read
about and understood vaguely. But they
took pride ia this that she had made
herself a celebrity in their eyes at least.
and they took pride IN the fact that Presi-
dent Mckinley had entertained her In the
White HOUSE. that former Secretary OF
the Treasury Gage came over IN a launch
from Annapolis frequently TO see her and
gave her a great deal OF money. and
that Senator's and Representatives and
diplomats had fauered the girl and per-
haps turned her head. Their liking for
her was cemented by her own graces OF
manner.
You cannot doubt that she was a mag
netic and au1iable little creature after
talking ten minutes 10 almost anv man or
woman YOU meet on the street In Easton
or this town. There was nothing lofty or
superior or stuck up about Edith ThOmp-
son.
Mystery Adds 20 Sensation.
Moreover. there was the mystery OF her
birth to engage the imagfnations or the
o~-rr4--- -ao-Te O -,-,-ste--- 49, b-o---A.
her passive sympathy from the day. hf-
teen years ago. she arrived here with
''the new people from the Moth the
Thcmpsons They we're not an old South
err family by any means. the Thomp-
sons. They came 10 Mcdaniel from In
dianapOlls and settled on an estate they
bought from a man named Dearborn,
who Is. or was. a railway official at
Chicago.
The Eastern Shore people heard az the
time that Dearborn was a close friend OF
Lyman J. Gage. and that Il was through
Mr. Cages suggestion that Col. Charles
A. Thompson bought the property from
Dearborn.
Knew Nothing of Girls Parentage.
II was understood that the child was
Mr. Cages ward. and that ne had be-
come responsible for her education.
Tongues that were Inclined 70 waz on
this subject were checked BY the public
sentiment OF the county. II was nobody's
business but the Thompsons, or, perhaps.
Mr.. Cages.
Certainly, 1t was never known here un-
til to-day. and 1t would not have been
believed II told that Edith was the
daughter OF Matthew witz. Of Mime
apolis. and that her real name was Anna
Pearl Witz. The truth Is. Talbot County
doesn't think so now.
AS the girl grew up. carried here and
there over the world by Mrs. Thompson,
whose social position was certainly not
lessened on account OF the chiId's re-
markable talents and personal beauty,
the county took more and more interest
in Edith.
Word came that she was favorite OF
Mr.. McKiniey's. that she had been a
guest in places that the county rather
doubted the existence OF until it found
one Of their number had been there, and
wherever she went she was petted by
distinguished men as a prodigy Of brains
o--4A b'e'eN-- AA-C9 81 ~ N0"A ACEG lA-dk
they pointed Edith out in the streets 10
strangers from the North. pointing very
cautiously. OF course. and speaking IN
whispers. She was a greater advertise
ment for the county than the old colonial
courthouse
Roberts Twisted Foot.
Then the man who called himself En-
NETT E. Roberts came into the county.
They gave him sympathy because OF the
twisted foot he dragged after him. They
liked the mans honest face. for If ever
a rascal looked with an open eye II was
Lane Bob. He was merry, he was ap-
proachable. he was always inviting some
body 70 drop in at his bungalow and
drink his health.
Always remembering that Talbot Coun-
" has been dry as a beetles back
for twenty years, that was an invitation
that had 10 be enjoyed to be appreciated
he bought and paid 800 for a thumb nail
strip OF ground by Broad Greek. carry
Ing on the negotiations through the lead
ing firm OF lawyers IN the county
He had ready cash, and he minded hss
business. two traits in a stranger that 20
a long way down here. They did not
70, -