The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-06-15
MERE Is . certain church In the city Of
New York which I nave always regarded

New York which i have always regarded
with peculiar interest on account OF .
marriage soiemnized under very singu-
lar circumstances In my Ersndnothsrs sirihood.
That venerable lady ehanced to De . spectator of
the scene. and ever after made II her fsvorits
narrative. whether the edince now standing on
the same site be the Identical one TO which she
referred. I am not antiquarian enough TO know.
nor would ~ be worth while TO correct myself.
perhaps. % an agreeable error by reading the
Date OF its erection on the tablet over the door.
II Il a stately church. surrounded by an enclosure
Of the loveiiest green. within which appear urns.
pillars. obeiisks and other forms OF monumental
marble. the tributes OF private affection or more
splendid memorials OF historic dust with such
. place. though the tumuit OF the city rolls be-
meath its tower. one would be willing to connect
some legendary interest
The marriage might be considered as the result
OF an early engagement. though there had been
two intermediate weddings on the iady's part. and
forty years OF celibacy on that of the gentleman.
At sixty-nve Mr.. E~iienwood was q shy but not
quite q secluded man: selfish. like all men who
brood over their own hearts. yet manifestinE on
rare occasions a vein OF generous sentiment .
scholar throughout wife. though always an indo-
lent one. because his studies had no definite
object OF public advantage or personal ambition:
q gentleman. high-ored ana fastidiously Delicate.
yet sometimes requiring a considerable relaxation
In his behalf OF the common rules OF society. In
truth there were 30 many anomalies IN his char
acter. and. though shrinking with diseased SEN
sibiiity from public notice. II had been his fatality
90 often to become the topic OF the day by some
wild eccentricity OF conduct that people searched
MS lineage for a hereditary faint of insanity. But
no need OF this His caprices had their origin In a
mind that lacked the support OF an expressing
purpose. and IN feelings that preyed upon them
selves for want OF other food. II he were mad. 10
was the consequence and not the cause. Of an aim
less and abortve life.
The widow was as complete q eotrast TO her
third bridegroom In everything but age as can
veil be conceived Compelled to relinquish her
hrst engagement. she had been united to n man
of twice her own years TO whom she became an
exemplary wife. and by whose death she was left
In possession OF a splendid fortune A Southern
gentleman considerably younger than herself sue
eeeded to her hand and carried her TO Charleston.
after many uncomfortable years she found herself
again a widow. 1t would have been singular IL
any uncommon delicaey OF ceiling had survived
through such a life as Mrs. I abney's IL could not
be crushed and killed by her early disappoint-
ment. the cold duty OF her hrst marriage. the dis
location OF the hearts principles consequent on n
second union. and the unkindness of her Southern
husband. which had Inevitably driven her TO con-
meet the idea OF his death with that OF her comfort
To be brief she was that wisest but unloveliest
variety OF woman. a philosopher. bearing troubles
OF the heart with equanimity. dispensing with all
that should have been her happiness and making
the best OF what remained. Sage in most matters.
she was perhaps the more amiable for the one
frailty that made her ridiculous. Being ~ehildless.
she could not remain beautiful by proxy In the
person OF a daughter; she therefore refused to
grow old and ugly on any consideration: she
struggled with Time. and held fast her roses In
spite OF him. tn the venerable thief appeared 20
have relnauished the spon as not worth the
trouble OF acquiring 90.
The approaching marriage Of this woman OF the
N"To "lth such a n unworthy man as MT. Ellen
wood was announced soon after Mrs. Daoneys
return TO her native city. Superficial observers
and deeper ones. seemed TO concur IN supposins
that the lady must have borne no inactive part
In arranging the affair; there were confederation
of expediency which she would be far more nkel,
70 appreciate than Mr.. Fleetwood. and there wal
Just the specious phantom sentiment and romano,
In this late union OF two early lovers whicl some
times makes a fool OF a woman who has lost h,
true feelings among the accidents OF life. All IN
wonder was how the gentleman. with his lack o
worldly wisdom and aEonizinz consciousness o
ridicuie. could have been induced 20 take measur,
at once 50 prudent and 90 IauEhable. But Will
people talked the wedding-day arrived. The cere
mony was 10 be solemnized according 10 the Epis
eopaiian forms ana In open church. with q degre
OF publicity that attracted many spectators. VIII
occupied the front seats OF the galleries and tn