Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1909-05-07
CERvERA AS A DIPLOMAT.
kentucky Woinan's Rseoilsetions OF
the Spanish Admiral.

Mrs. W. J. Abram. formerly Miss Lily
Turner, OF Louisville. Ky, years ago In
Washington was acquainted with Ad
miral Pascual de Ceryera y Topic. who
recently died at his home In Puerto
Real. in Spain. He was the commander
Of the Spanish heet which was de
stroyed by the United States feet at
Santiago de Cuba.
II seems the gallant sailor had all
lea and Americans and was very anx
ious To spend some time In the United
States. He was a great fayorite with
the queen Of Spain. SO when she heard
Of his desire she Immediately had
place made for him among the Spanish
diplomats at Washington.
At the time Hon. Oscar Turner was
u member Of congress from Kentucky
and was In Washington with his wife
and pretty young daughter. Miss Lily.
They lived at the old Hamilton Fish
house. which was then fashionable
boarding house, with some OF the most
charming people In Washington as Its
guests. Among them were Colonel
Brodhead, minister 10 Switzerland,
and Mr. Galyan. who represented Santo
Domingo on some special mission. Mr.,
Galvan, who was delightful and
much Travelled man. was an intimate
friend Of the Marquis de Cervers. and,
being also u friend Of the Turner'S. he
brought the marquis. who was
widower. to call as soon as he arrived
III the city aud during his stay Miss
Turner saw a great deal Of him.
Mrs. Abram was told that the mar
outs for some time attended one Of
the public schools Of Washington TO
learn our language, One day he com
planned 10 her Of the difficulty he
found In mastering It. saying: Such
language as you have 1t is GER
tainly the most curious aud difficult
You use 80 many Of exactly the same
words to convey an entirely different
meaning For instance, saw means
/ TO cut and 10 see When hear you
say i saw man. how am | to know
/ whether you have seen him or cut
himf"
| He was very much provoked one
day when she broke an engagement
/ with him to go riding with a young
/ Washington beau. In speaking Of the
way In which he had been treated 10
| Mr. Turner he intimated that he was
surprised, as the young man was a
! plain mister and he the Marquis de
! Cervera. Mr.. Turner assured him that
the title Of mister In this country was
| quite as good as that of marquis in
as the president of the United States
was called by II.
The marquis was a very graceful
man and very punctllious about re.
turning promptly all ciyilities extended
to him. There was In Washington a
rich maiden lady Of was about to
write uncertain age. but 1t is the
wrong word to use. there could be
no doubt as TO her age; II was very
certain. She owned handsome house,
to which the marquis had been several
times invited, so one evening he asked
her to go with him to the theater. TIC
his amazement, when she accepted she
asked, And who will you invite as
chaperony' The marquis made her a
low bow as he said, For whom, my
dear madam, you or meT'
Marquis Cervera presented photo
graph of himself to Miss Turner, bear.
Ing the following autographs inscrip
ton:
Miss Turner-Of all the pleasant mem.
cries of Washington shall carry with me
none will be dearer than the recollection
OF you. 30 kind. SO pretty and 30 good.
THE MARQUIS DE CERVERA.