Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1901 — Washington Irving’s Love Story. [ARTICLE]

Washington Irving’s Love Story.

Washington Irving always remained slng'.e because Matilda Hoffman, the beautiful girl to whom he was engaged, died of consumption in her seventeenth year. He says: “I was by her when she died, and was the last she ever looked upon.” He took her Bible and prayerbook away with him, sleeping with them under his pillow, and in all his subsequent travels they were his inseparable companions. Not until thirty years after her death did any one venture to speak of her to him. He was visiting her father, and one of her niecea, taking some music from a drawer, brought with it a piece of embroidery. “ Washington," said Mr. Hoffman, “this was from Matilda’s work.” Th? effect was electric. He had been talking gaily the moment before, but became allent and soon left the house.