Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1882 — A SOUTHERN ROMANCE. [ARTICLE]

A SOUTHERN ROMANCE.

The Heroine a Daughter of AntiBeilum Cabinet Officer. < *\ ril -i New Orleans Democrat. Toward the close of Pierce’s administration society in Washington was much! agitated and interested by a oriiliaht marriage of the daughter of a member of the cabinet who then enjoyed b world-wide fame as a financier and political economist. > This! was Robert J. Walker, a manof remarkable intellectual acuteness, great ijesearch and indefatigable Industry. 1 There was no lovelier or more attractive young woman than his daughter. Her mother, a lineal descendant from Benjamin Franklin,had contributed, by her talents and charms, largely to the success of her husband in politics, law and social advancement. The happy bridegroom on the occasion was a naval officer of one of tue oldest creole families of Louisiana. The marriage ceremonies were of the most brilliant character. The President, every member of the cabinet, the foreign ministers, the senators, in fine, all the notabilities of Washington, attended, blessed and were enthused by the happy scene ot a marriage that seemed so congenial, suitable and felicitous. After their marriage the young couple went on the grand tour to Europe, and took up their residence in Paris, where they sojourned lor some months. Their means were ample ami their circle of friends and associates . were of the highest social class. And so for many years Ihe course of their marriage life ran smoothly, until disasters, political, sectioual and financial, fell upon them and their families. At j the breaking out of btir civil war, Robert J. Walker attached himself to the fortunes of the North and became a bitter enemy of the Southern struggle for independence. His soh-iu-law was compelled, by every obligation of honor, State pride and duty to the Ancient family of whisk lie was a member, to identify himself with the South. The consequent altercations and discord led to their permanent separation. The young wife retired with her child to her mother and family in Philadelphia, and there for several years in seclusion". In the meantime Mr., Robert J. Walker had lost by the investment in a railroad enterprise the large fortune he [had acquired by bis professional success, and at his death left a widow in narrow circumstances. His widowed daughter, despite her extreme reserve, could not fail to attract the attention, sympathy and interest of the friends of the father and mother.. Many ailvances were made by gentlemen of wealth and prominence to enguge her favorable consideration of proposals of marriage. She resisted, for some time, all such advances. At last, however,her friends and society were a tounded by the report that she had accepted the hand of a gentleman distinguished in the professional and political world, but cursed with a deformity and mutilation as repulsive and revolting as that of the veiled Mokanna of Moore’s Lalla Rookh. in boyhood he had fallen into the fire on his lace, and so burned it as to present even now, in advanced age, a most pitiable and hideous aspect. Those who are accustomed to make summer visits and sojourn? at Long Branch have not failed to observe in the parlors of the West End Hotel, on the promenades and drives of that delightful resort, the unhappy victim of this cruel mistortune, in astoutgeutleman of good figure, of dignified and graceful carriage, but wim a face so blurred, scarred and distorted as almost to conceal and abolish all humun resemblance, and repel with disgust all advance to closer observation and acquaintance. Upon that gentleman's arm leans a lovely woman, whose pale face still retains the most refined and beautiful expression, and whose harmonious features and lithe and graceful figure may be quickly recognized as those of the beautiful Miss Walker, who twenty-fife years before, had enthralled all beholders and had given her the unquestioned! title to the siweetest and prettiest girl in Washington city. The marked attention of the brilliant company at thje West Erid, through wh'ch they passed, and tne eagerness of all persons to exchange courtesies and engage in conversation and tbe n spent with which everything which fell from the [gentleman was received by aJI listeners, betokened tbe high consideration in which hfe was held. To draw him into conyeiisation and drink in every utteraqop *jpp£ared to be the ambiton ol every jons. “Who is that ciauple?” would be the natural inquiry o ’ till strangers; “that, terribly mutilajted and defaced gentle-

man and that unhappy daughter who hapgs upon hb* arm.” r lhe ready answer would be ? that gentleman is tbe ablest, most eloquent and impressive lawyer and orator of Philadelphia, who for many yelps has led that bar, and is the most agreeable and captivating gentleman of the very polished society of that refined city. The lady is the daughter oi Robert J. Walker, so distinguished fin our ..political aud financial history.l The >spitlemau is spoken of iis t. prominent for the position pf Attorney-genera’, and as likely t'» sdeure that high office, should the opposition to Howe, being" developed, prove Successful.