A ROMANTIC STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6996, 19 April 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

A ROMANTIC STORY.

The announcement of tlic death in London of Lady Rose, wife oi Sir John Rose, of Londoo, and formerly of Montreal, brings to mind some romantic incidents of her early life. Lady Rose was a daughter of Robert Emmett Temple, of Rutland, Vt., who held the position or Pension Agent of the united States Government for the revolutionary war.' He was a gentleman of distinguished appearance and elegant manners, and had brought up his daughters in all the courtly graces and accomplishments which marked the higher classes at the beginning of this ■ century. The ladies paid a visit to Montreal, and the yocngor married a Montreal gentleman (Mr. Robert Sweeney), a Protestant Irishman, who at that time fceld the position of Inspector of Potashes, and- waa a partner of Colonel Dyde. Her sister married Mr. Chapman. Tua Sweeneys moved much in military circle 3, aadcMra. Sweeney, from her fascinating manner and sacoir J aire, became a general favourite. An unfortunate affair took place which caused much comment in fashionable circles in tho3e • early days. Major Ward, of the First Royals, was an intimate friend and companion of Mr. Sweeney, and one afternoon the two friends strolled up town together. That evening Mr. Sweeney bad friends to dinner, and during the repast a note was brought into Mrs. Sweeney, which she immediately handed to her husbaud. He jumped up from the table and proceeded to the mess room 3 of the First ltoyala. Major Ward, hearing Mr. Sweeney's voice, called out to him to come in and have a glass cf wine. This was sternly refused, and on the Major making his appearance, Mr. Sweeney handed him the note, with the demand. "Did you write this, sir?" Major Ward took the missive, and after glancing at it contemptuously, tore it into fragments. Hob words eustsed, and a challenge was given and accepted. About sunrise the next morning the two friends, who had left Colonel Dyde in a very friendly mood the night before, stood confronting each other with pistols at the St. Pierre racecourse on the Lactone road. The word was given and Mr. Sweeney, wbo was an accomplished duellist, haviug had several affairs before, shot his antagonist through the heurt before the latter had time to explode his weapon. Ho and hi 3 wife retired to the States until at ihe request of the officers of Major Ward's regiment a nolle prosequi was entered, and he was allowed to return to iind that the letter was the heedless practical joke of a flighty girl who had imitated Major Ward's liandwriting. ' The circumstance so preyed oil Mr. Sweeney'3 mind that he died literally broken-hearted. A short time afterward his young widow with her son, went to board at a house on Victoria Square, aud there she met James Rose, a youth from Huntington, who was studying law in the office of Judge Day. A mutual attachment between the fascinating and accomplished widow and the talented young law student ensued, "and shortly after his admission to the bar they were married. - Her wonderful tact and suavity o£ manner made her a leader in society, where she was ever on the alert to advance her husband's interests. As Lady Beaconsfield was to her husband, so Lady Rose was the mainspring of Sir John Rose's success, and hor diplomacy and ambition spurred her husband on to higher aims, whioh made him one one of the foremost Canadians of his time. Sir John entered political life early and adv&ncod rapidly, working in connection with Sir John A. Maedocald. He was a 1; one time the Minister-of Finance, from whioh position ho retired to enter the lirm of Morton, Rose, and Go., bankers, of London and New York.—Detroit Free Press.