The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-14

One OF the most popular Of Amer
lean sentimental songs is 'Lorena. d"
and almost equally so it's companion.
Paul Nane; or Lorena's Reply"
The sad story told I'm the words Of
this song IS a true episode OF human
life and human love. During the
civil war IL was sung everywhere
in parlors. in concerts. on the street.
and in camps. II was equally popu-
lar in the South as in the North
In portraying the fate Of two lovers
II IS emotional 10 a high degree.
and in its truly pathetic tone, per-
haps, its chief charm lies. IT was so
popular during the dark days OF the
war that a steamer on the Ohio
River was named LorenA engines on
the Western roads were called
Lorena. and many mothers called
their daughters Lorena out Of SEN
timent for this favorite song.
The author Of 'LOrena," Henry
de Lafayette Webster, was born IN
Oneida County. New York. in 1924.
His father william Webster. was a
lneal descendant Of John Webster.
who was Colonial governor OF Con-
necticut IN 1856 and later. Henry
was the youngest child in a family
OF five daughters and three sons.
He died IN Chicago on November ,.
1896, In 1928 his father moved TO
Lorain County, Ohio. aud located
about three miles south OF Elyria,
where he worked for many years
at his trade, that Of blacksmith.
The authors opportunities for ac
curing an education were limited.
and as he grew in years he was re-
quired to do his share toward the
support OF the family. so that fell
ing trees and work in the forest
was, perhaps, his best accomplish
ment
But he was studious and in spite
OF his limited opportunities. even
tually had acquired sufficient knowi-
edge 10 teach school. Later. through
hard work IN a store and as a tutor.
he was able to pay his way through
the collegiate institution in CoIum-
bus, Ohio. He then read law until
his attention was attracted 10 some
theological discussion. This led him
TO investigate the subject. with the
result that he soon avowed himself
a Universalist, laid aside the law
and prepared himself for the min
istry.
In the year 1S4s. being then twen-
ty-four years of age, and full Of
poetry and romance, he was enjoy
ing his first pastorate in Zanes-
Vile. Ohio. His leading parishioner
was n wealthy manufacturer, whose
residence was upon one Of the hills
which surrounded that smoky town.
The house was about half a mile
out. and the eminence upon which
It was seated was the one referred
10 in the song:
Twas noWery May
wheu uD tho billy slope We climbed
There lived IN this family a
young sister Of the manufacturer
wife, who was the leading singer IN
the choir. She was nineteen years
OF age, small OF stature, had blue
eyes and light hair. and was not
only a sweet singer. but she was as
full OF romance as her pastor, and
they soon became very much at
tached 20 one another Their low
ing. however. did not prosper Wen"
for the family was proud and aris-
tocratIc. and had higher ideals for
the girl than TO have her marry n
poor preacher. AS she was depend
ent upon them for a home, she was
compelled to yield 10 their counsel,
and the lovers were obliged TO give
each other I'D.
IL was. however. the strong will
and proud spirit OF tho sister. more
than the opposition OF the brother
in-law. that separated them. or
rather that kept Lorena from mar
rylng Webster. The minister saw
her for the last time at her home,
learned Of her sisters unconquer-
able opposition. heard his fate. and
took quiet but painful farewell,
very little being said. That night
she wrote him a letter. IN which
she used the words. so well remem-
tCOpgTight. 1909. 81