This railway construction caused the failure of the Philadelphia banking firm of Jay Cooke & Co., that had invested largely in the Northern Pacific road. The failure of this stable concern precipitated the panic of 1873, which paralyzed business for several years and hung over the country a cloud of gloom and distrust. In the space of a few weeks, thousands of business men and many hundreds of firms were ruined. Money became so hard to get that the government found it necessary to discontinue the construction of public buildings in Washington, and also to defer payments on the war debt for a time. The effects of this panic extended over a period of five years. The life at the White House was not overcast by the financial depression abroad in the land. Never was the old mansion more gay. From attic to basement, it buzzed with activity and excitement in the arrangements for a wedding in the family. A trousseau was under preparation, and the upper floors were constantly filled with happy girls. The White House belle was to be married! Nellie Grant was only a little girl when her father became President. Owing to his strong objections to his family being the object of curious interest, little was known of this White House maiden until she had completed her education. During her school days, her mother was exceedingly strict and required that she be put through exactly the same discipline as girls whose fathers did not hold such important positions. With the conclusion of her school work, she was sent abroad for an extended tour, receiving throughout Europe the honours and attentions of a princess. Eleanor--or Nellie--Grant was of medium height, beautifully proportioned, with masses of rich brown hair, soft brown eyes, and a creamy complexion of rich colour. Her face was exceedingly attractive, with an expression of amiability that showed her to be an even, sweet-tempered girl. Although quiet and demure, she was a good dancer and was perfectly at ease in any company. On her return from Europe, she met on the steamer Algernon Frederick Sartoris, with whom she fell in love. The consequence was that she had no great belle-ship in Washington, since, even before her début, which her mother decreed should be at a formal reception rather than at a ball, it was known that her heart was given to the young Englishman, who was twenty-three years old, of excellent family, and who had inherited a very substantial income. From the moment of their meeting, their romance developed. But, owing to her youth, her parents would not hear of her immediate marriage, her father insisting that she wait until two months before she was nineteen. At that time, on May 21, 1874, her marriage to Mr. Sartoris occurred in the White House. Elaborate preparations were made for this wedding, which was the most brilliant affair known for many years in the Capital City.