El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-07-25
% BY Madison c. Peters

FEVER was a man more Itte(
~ for domestic ties than Washing
ton Irving, the first American
who obtained a European reputation
merely as a man Of letters, yet circum
stances prevented his entering tn,
marriage state. He was born in New
York City April 3. 1888, the young
est Of the II children of William and
Sarah Sanders Irving. Washington
was one Of the first children to bt
named for a prominent man Of the
United States, a custom which has
since become quite universal When
Irving was a little tot his Scotch
nurse followed president Washington
into a shop. and drawing his attention
TO the little fellow said. Please, your
honor, here's a BARN was named for
you" The great man was much pleased
and putting his hand on the lads head
he gave him his blessings
Family Liked Him
In 1902. Irving, who was preparing
for the bar entered the Office Of
Josiah Hoffman. The Hoffman family
took a great fancy to the young man,
and had him with them constantly.
The second Hoffman daughter was
then a shy little maid of u and lit
tie did Irving think that she was one
day to become his finance
When Washington Irving was p
years old he became engaged to Ma
Iilda Hoffman; they were a most de-
voted couple and were most unhappy
because they were forced TO have a very
long engagement, as the young man
had no means with which to support
q wife
Death Follows Love. -.
His love for this beautiful girl filled
his whole life. He was poor and could
not marry, but he had many arguments
with himself about the prOpriety Of do
ing so even without an income, and
while he was looking about on every
9de for some way 70 better his for
lines, that he might take to his home
fhis woman he loved so tenderly, her
health began to fail and in a short
time he was deprived Of her COM
partnership. She had taken a slight
cold which developed into quick tuber-
culOsis, Irving was with her constantly.
Her death cast a gloom over his life
from which il took him several years
10 recover
After his death a beautiful picture
and lock of hair we're found among his
private papers, marked in his hand
writing, Matilda Holman He also
kept by him her bible and prayer book
ne lay VIII ALlEAAA 4A4AEL his EAA4OM III
the first days Of his anguish and car
ried them with him always in all lands
TO the end Of his life. In a little
private note book intended only for his
own use were found these words after
his death: she died in the beauty Of
her youth and in my memory she viii
ever be young and beautiful" Not
an unhappy fate to live thus in the
memory Of such man
Previous TO his engagement to Miss
Hoffman Irving had great deal
Of and written a great deal to Mary
FairIie, Of Philadelphia, but his at
tachment seems to have been purely
platOnic, Irving took several trips
secretary Of the British embassy and
ambassador to Spain; it was on one
Of these trips that he met the Fosters.
who were 10 play such an important
part in his life Mrs Foster had taken
her three children TO Dresden TO fin
ish their education and IL was 10
Emily Foster that he became so at
tached- Irving had reached the time OF
life when he wanted 10 settle down,
although he had by no means forgot
ten his first love, but he was young
at the time OF her death and il was na-
'Nural that he should think OF marriage
3 gain He was taken with Emily from
ne first, but was doomed to another
disappointment for Miss Foster could
not return his love, in later life she
became Mrs Fuller. He was a per-
6lSL6AL MOOGE ana Mlen ne REALIZED
that Emily could never love him he
determined never TO marry. though he
was particularly happy when leading
q purely domestic life
He Admired DOmestieity.
In letter to Paulding, Irving writes:
your picture Of domestic enjoyment
indeed rOuses my envy With all nv
wandering habits which are the re-
suits Of circumstances rather than Of
disposition, 1 think I was formed for
honest Tnrnaerfa rrrn-f1rre
I cannot hear Of my old cronfes snuglv
nestled down with good wives and fine (
children round them, but feel for the