Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / May 26, 1907, edition 1 / Page 20
Part of The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
' ri n the r i '.Jithious . i 1 rhed af ;:.a was again turn - :.Ia upon .him for the ,:r mother, Mrs. Pre cf an lEnglish officer, ! (if no beauty and a ..'id. drew all to her : 13 came in contact by id brilliant mind and aality. Indeed, Aaron her, "It was the knowl mind which first inspired ect :for that of your sex, ;? regret, I confess that t you have often heard n favor of female -Intel-r are founded In what I 1 more than. In what I xecpt In you." , seemed to have been cn a intellect far beyond the , and it was hla hand and ruided het's through the is of development. Be ind was equal to that of " ve her the same advan d given a son, therefore, mal accomplishments of of that dayFrench, ? and riding she learn t'irgil, Horace, Terence, lomer in the original be Jliad and Odyssey, igogue. Burr "was xact rorous, but always kind, er the smallest details of n, correcting 'himself her I style. In her corres um& she seemed to have nt, for he reproves her 'y for not answering her keeping up her Journal, 1 persuaded her to under her twelfth year, howev ed to lut-ve overcome this, her "Io triumphel there rd misspelled in either I or letter, which cannot iy you ever wrote before." ne writes her, "When you ality In your letters, I am ant it in everything; for nstantly . observe that you st leisure when you do the ss. Negligence of one's os a . self-dissatisfaction, ! the mind for everything, and peevishness are the r consequence." ving himself "That minds .hlch can bear with equa triulng and unavoidable life, and be affected only hlch determine our sub- he early Instilled into Inclplcs of fortitude and : h stood her so well in ars of her life. earliest years, her devo- father was remarkable, writes of her at the age Tour dear little daughter .venty times a day; calls meals and will not suffer to be filled by any of the cannot hear to you spoken an apparent melancholy; at her nurse is obliged to vention to divert her, and old to mention you in her ie was one whole day In everything but your name. sent is not of a common 'Oh, f o to ba alone! us, tnereiore. 1 i twelfth year of her life , who had been suffering died, and she assumed r father's household. At fourteen, we are told by e, during her father's ab ive a dinner in honor of , at which were the Blsh Tork, Dr. Hosack, Volney other distinguished guests. d herself with so much ignlty that her father was ;en he heard of 4t, and the ppoke of it In after years atest pleasure. of Richmond. Hall, ry home, Theodosia might en envied by all the ladies possessing unusual men- v, she had Inherited her ned features together with , prace and repone of man- : ;ie was surrounded by cv wh.il her father's position lates Senator, and one of . iUIant lawyers cut Ills day, out him the most dlstln- i of the country, even his Hamilton, . having fre i entertained there. Her yf r, preterrea tne com . seated French 1 guests, were r;SiiFhed exiles o devolution, among ".cyrand, Volney, " Je irte and Louise Philippe married at the age of 18 : 'ton, a wealthy planter of C If we are to Judge '. writer !) and extracts , Mr. Alston had no easy t possessing all the grace. 3 wit of a Southern gen ' oppositions and excuse - met and put to flight. On '.d, 1101, in Albany, N. Y., rather was residing during ! a member of the Leglxla .as quietly married, ndlng.a few days In Al York and Baltimore, they . :ishington to witness the n of Thomas Jefferson as nd her father, Aaron Burr, t Ident. Thus parted fath ihter. and as the sunshine py presence passed out of :he gray n&nt of misfortune' Either round him. Now -.'irious courtships and po ;ue, which ended In his Triage and sparation and 1 downfall. Of Tils polltl r and the hollow mockery 'ooss life. Theodosia knew la her luxurious Southern . zn as happy as it 4 given e. Idolized by a fond hus ws rapidly training pollt iwe; petted and sought rt-tr and a hot of friends rperadlng her fummers t;ntains of South Carolina :,rnond Hall, and returning .f r to take up the whirl of ? Charleston. And when it 4 if there was nothing more '1.5 let tier (happiness, God Mshwt mark upon her. r the mother of a bright 'rg con, Aaron Burr Alston, t of his father and grand- t k on the 20 years of fie -1 not a cloud to mar It ' i'Mng but sunshine end ."'.owly but surely, howev t-Hng woven which ' r i:f. as well as her --. vt. ' . v ho 1 ;r.k In n"'J Tl,d Is but poetry, let drop the subject, le:.t it lead to another on which I have Imposed silence upon myself." Then in his usual pleasant manner, he wrote to her, urging again upon her the ne cessity of improving her mind and the value of study. "Tou will, I fear,' lose the habit of study, which would be a greater misfortune than to lose your head." His last request to ner husband was to do all witnin nis power to encourage her to Improve her mind. The letters were wratten; the fath erly advice given, and then the duel was fought, and the next tidings the fond daughter received was that , her Idolized parent was a fugitive ; from justice; a murderer; all the glorious happy past blotted out by one crim son blurr, Not for an lnstanfc though did she blame him, or did her faith in him falter. Had he not trained and instructed her! and "Tho King could do no wrong." " Soon followed the Mexican scheme. Mr. Alston advanced money for this to the amount of $50,000, and Theo dosia warmly approved it, not only for her father's sake but for her son's. What could be grander than that her boy should te 4ieir-presumptlve to the throne of Mexico, and she "Chief Lady of the Court and Empire ?' We all ' know, the sad outcome of this scheme, but in these later days, we are glad of the proof existing not only of her and her husband's innocence, out that of her father's and tall' connected with it of any treasonable Intent to wards the union. ' Stunned and dazed, Theodosled and her Jiusband left the home of the Blennerhassett's for South Carolina, while her father was taken a prisoner to Richmond. Here they soon Joined him, and it was said her presence did more for hint than the ablest coun sel. Made the centre of a small court by her father's sympathizers and Ad mirers, each vying in doing homage Jo her, Mrs. Blennerhassett. says of hei, "Tou can't think with what Joy and pride I read what Colonel Burr says of his daughter. I never could love one of my own sex as I do her," while Mr. Blennerhassett wrote, "I find that Luther Martin's (Burr's chief coun sel) idolatrous . administration of Mrs. Alston is almost as excessive as my own, but far more beneficial to his interest, as it is the means of his blind attachment to her father, whose secrets and views, past, present or to come, he is and wishes to remain ig norant of. Nor can he see a speck in the character or conduct of Alston, for the best of all reasons with him, nemely, that Alston has such a wife." Finally acquitted by the Jury, but condemned by public opinion and pur sued byfhis creditorsBurr was oblig ed to secretly escape to Europe. Dur ing the month of June, Theodosl'a met her father in New York, where he was in hiding, awaiting the sailing of a steamer. Here their last farewell was said, and to "her he "Intrusted his pa pers and accounts, which she was to collect to provide for his maintenance in Europe. Broken in health and snilrit. and laden with the support and cares of ner father, Theodosia returned home. where her husband, though kind and devoted to her, no Jonger sympathized with her father in bis wild ideas. Bet sjdes this, she must learn economy, for her husband, in his devotion to her, Wad spent a large part of his for tune la her father's behalf. We can onlv imarfnn th of this bravfj child during the four years of her father's exile, as she hears of his belnar drfcv country t another; barely escaping i-'i-vh; , ving on ary bread and pota toes, while she, unable to collect his debts, Is powerless to issslnt him Nothing could be more inspiring, how eyer.than her letters to him, praising his fortitude, In one of which she writes as follows: Jl'lt1nesa yur extraordinary for titude with new wonder at every new misfortune. After reflecting upon this subject, you appear to be so superior ho elevated &bov am niw contempalate you with such a strange mixture of humiliation, admiration reverence, lov and pride that very lit superstltion would be J,n" I makft m. wnniiin - men and ., ; -'- ""I'fnon more. . -""""" ur your i th.l: T ,nsP're m me. when I af- i uiyneii, nowi inslg nincant do my best qualities appear! my vanity ,wouid bo great, If I had not been placed so near you, and yet, my pride is our relationship. I had rathr not live, than not to be the daughter of such a man." , Defeated in every project which had seemed, so feasible to Burr in the be ginning; Theodosia now began to long for his return to America. And, in fact, never (had the time seemed more propitbus; Madison, the President and hies charming wife had been among her father's earliest friends, while In the Cabinet reigned cflther his social w political friends. To accomplish her purpose, she wrote to Albert Gal latin, Secretary of the Treasury ask ing him. to Intercede. In her father's behalf, and to Mrs. Madison she wrote, "Madam: You my perhaps be surprised to receive a letter from one with whom you have had so little intercourse for the last few years But your surprise will recollect that my : father, once your friend. Ja now In exile; and that the President only can restore him to me and his countrv." is-ver since the choice of the people wa nri aeoarea in favor nt xir Madison, my heart, smld th 11 n Ivor. sal Joy, .has beat with the hope that 1, iou, snoma soon have reason to re Joice. Convinced that Mr. Madison would neither fed nor Judge from the feelings or Judgment of others, I had no doubt of his hastening to relieve a man of whose character he had been enabled to Appreciate during a confi dential Intercourse of Ion ance, and whom (he) must know In capable of the designs attributed to him. My anxiety on this subject how ever, has become too painful to be al leviated by anticipation which no 117 Ve M tend!d t0 iusfifiy; and In this taste of lntorable, sus pense I hsve determined to address m" VxV'. nd 'that you 7 ?lY NAMB- aPp)y t0 th Pres ident for a removal of the prosecution now existing against AARON BURR. I U P-t it fromhlm as a man of feeling and candor, e one acting for -) I 'V PV f for w?. and d Tiy : from t I yi - ; ? '3. . ; r:vi-: from h a t ..".y child, to pans an v. ited time in exile, and that too at an age when others are reaping the har vest of past toll, or outfit at least to be providing seriously for the com forts of ensuing years? I do not seek to soften you by this recapitulation, I only lsh to remind you of all the in juries which are Inflicted on one of the first characters the United States ever produced. Perhaps it may be well to assure you that there Is no truth In a report lately circulated that my father In tends returning immediately. He nev er will return to conceal himself in' a country upon' which he has conferred distinction. ' ' To whatever fate Mr. Madison may doom this application, I trust it may be treated with delicacy. . Of this I am the more desirous, as Mr. Alston is Ignorant of the step which I have taken in writing to you, which, per haps nothing could excuse but the warmth of filial affections. If It be an error, attribute it to the indiscreet zeal of a daughter whose ,uould sinks at the prospects of a long and indefi nite separation from a father almost adored, and who can leave unattempt ed nothing which offers the slightest hope of procuring him, redress. What Indeed would I not risk once more to see him, to place my child upon his knee, and again to spend my days in the happy occupation of endeavoring to anticipate all his wishes. Let me retreating, dear madam, that you will have the goodness and con sideration to answer me as speedily as possible; my heart Is sore with doubt and patient waiting for something definite. No apologies are made for giving you this trouble, which I am sure you will not deem irksome to take for a daughter, ; an affectionate daughter, thus situated. Inclose your letter for me to A, J. Frederic Prevost, Esq., near New Rochelle, Neiw York. That ' every happiness may attend you is the. sincere wish of. THEO. BURR ALSTON. Her . appeal was successful. Burr wag permitted to return to his native country. She advised him, notwith standing the fact that his creditors might imprison him. to go at once to New York and resume I his practice there,- saying, "If the worst comes to the worst, I will leave everything to suffer with you." She "also advised him, in case war should be declared with England," to offer hla services to the government. 1 In May, 1112, Burr landed in New York and advised his daughter that his reception was more friendly than he had expected, and that in time, his prospects were fair for. a lucaratlve practice. ' At last, after so many years of sor row, fortune seemed again about to claim Theodosia for its child; once again there was a rift in the cloud which , had enshrouded her for the past years, but it was only for a fe,w days. Her son, now a strong healthy lad of eleven was taken front them. No pen can better portray the suffer ing and disappointment of the broken hearted parents and theirs. Governor Alston wrote to Aaron Burr at this time. "A few miserable weeks since. and in spite of all the embarr'asmenta, the troubles and disappointments which have falen to our lot since we parted, I would have congratulated you on your return In the language of happiness. With my wife on one side and my boy on theo ther, I felt myself superior to depression. The present was enjoyed, tho future was anticipated with enthusiasm. . One dreadful blow has destroyed us; reduced ua to th veriest, tho most sublimated wretch edness. "That boy on whom all rested: our companion, our friend lie who was to have transmitted the mingled blood of Theodosia and myself he who was to have redeemed all your glory and shed .new lustre upon our families" that boy at once our pride and hap piness is taken from us Is dead. We saw him dead. ' My own hand sur rendered him to tho grave; yet we are alive. But it is past. I will not con ceal from you that life is a s burden, which, heavy as it is, we shall both support, if not with dignity, at least with decency and firmness. Theodosia has endured all that a human being could endure, but Jner amiable mind will triumph." The mother wrote, "There is no more Joy for me. Tho world is a blank. I have lost my boy. My child Im gone forever. My heaven, by others blessings make you some amends for the noble grandson you have lost! Alas! my dear father, I do live, but how does it happen? Of what am I .formed that I live and why? Of what service can 1 be in this world, either to you or any one else, with a bodv Iwi 1 .,- 1 ' rv- I t a f.1 i ' v : - i t l.',.nnn r.-.rp, -e v., t !.. li-t tie t'.-t loun.l us to t',-i irf'i. ':. t Ki up left? Yet r .11, T.e i a poor p.ctor who can- r.t r.:M3in his little hour unon fh ;e. be hi3 part what It may. But the man who has been deemed worthy of the heart of Theodosia Burr, and who has felt what it was to be blessed With such a woman, will never forset his elevation." Onlv four vemr of waiting, and the play was over; his soul wended its way to keep tryst in me ppint world. ' Not so with Aaron Burr, he must live for years; melancholy, indifferent, 3 .3 r '.vc it fr, .. 'l.er 1 -til er, km V. it it w3 the riclure cf a bf.aut.ful liJv whoe vorsel was c-v tured by "Black Beard", a noted ri rate who cruised along the coast; her crew murdered and the passengers made to "walk the plank." The pi rates, not being of an artistic turn of mind, gave the picture to the 01a wo man, who was then a young girl, and so it remained In the humble cabin until discovered by Dr. Pool, who placed it in the State Museum, at Rel eigh. N. C. Romance of the Walderflelds JBY J. T. McKTNNEY 1 to I 1 l.e clli : thr.t they l , In? before. 1 In the Blue Ridge mountains there is a little cottage about four ; miles west from the fashionable ; summer resort of Montreat. The .cottage is called Walderflelds by virfue of the woods which surround It. on all sides, there being only about an acre of clear, ground around the house. For many years the cottage has been In habited by an old man, his daughter, arid two negro servantsThe majestic oaks, the neatly kept lawn, the ivy covered chimney, and the quiet rest fulness of the place, give it an tnde scribale charm. The old servant, Mlnervy Ann, was a typletf Southern darkey, and though she had been set free after the war, still ' remained In the employ of the Randolphs without little' or no remun eration for her services. She was one -of those largeJolly, good souls, who take life easy, and who. cannot do enough. or you.. Minervy was devoted to Ruth, whom she had almost raised, and to whom she had been almost a mother. Alain was the body servant of Mr. Randolph' and had followed him through. the war in that capacity. He adored Marso Richard, with whom it had been hi pleasure to play with In boyhood on the large Randolph es tate in "Ole Virginy." Though bent with age Alain was very useful around the house and did all the out side chores. Mr. Randolph was an old man of about 60, with iron grey hair, and flashing blue eyes. He had received a wound in the civil war which proved almost fatal, and ever since then had been crippled. Though his suffering was atitimes Intense, he bore it with a patience that characterized the Ran dolph family. Wen speaking of the war his. whole countenance would flash up with emotion in recalling the terrible scenes of that hard . fought struggle. Soon after the .war his much loved wife had died, confiding to him the task f raising their flve-year-old daughters Ruth,; -requesting him that that in so, far, as if was possible to bring her' up untainted from the world. With this end in view Mr. Randolph had bought the little cottage and farm near Montreat and settled down mere. The whole bouI of the place was Ruth, at the time of this writing, a young girl of 18, Just blossoming into , beau tiful womanhood. She had never known the tenderness and watchful ness of a mother; but had grown and nurtured in the woodlands like "a tim id deer. Nothing pleased her better than to stroll in the woods, nor was there a corner or by-path in the vast forests for miles around that had not felt the touch of her light footsteps, or the magic of her mellow voice. In fact she was the falreit product of mother nature, tall,' lithe, graceful In her every movement," and fairer "than the whitest Illy, her Charm was lne slstlble. The birds stopped their! twit tering to listen to her singing, when she was going through the' woods. The little field-mice ran all around her feet when she sat down to rest. For four years now, the care of her father, and the Increasing anxiety to make ends meet, had been a heavy burden on her young shoulders. Her father once the wealthiest land-owner In Virginia before the war. had lost all In that great struggle. It had J n with the greatest difficulty that had laid by. a. little hard earned sav i . mh vi. for the future dowry of Ruth: hut with the giving away of his health they had ceen xorceu . w upend nearly all of this surplus. The only means of sustenance were i.- mitrh enws. the garden and Ruth's flowers. They found ready sale for their products at tne now - treat. Every morning Aiam cupled in getting Alain off to the town, It was not until ha left that she said, "Minervy,- every day father becomes more and curious, J cannot understand him." 1 - "Lorsy chile, don't you worry 'bout ysror pappy, he Just old and childish." 3 kft for I.i t a the eve n In fact Graham hail re ceived a telegram the day before call ing him home on business to attend to a very important law suit. Once In Boston his mother did her best to bring Harry and Margaret 'together, function after function was given in their honor; but they became more and more estranged. The parents of the contracting parties were heartily in favor of the marriage;' but amidst all these balls and parties, and among all the reigning beauties of Boston, Harry could not help from recalling that sweet and gentle face of Ruth as it appeared to him that summer evening In June at the old spring. To him, she was more beautiful In her simple white muslin dress than Mar garet in her paquln frocks. Her rosy colored neck delicately tinted, ana of perfect contour, needed no ornament, nor did her beautiful plump, white hands need any diamond to adorn their beauty; but were . resplendent with the beauty fit nature. That face haunted him everywhere he went, he had never seen its match nor am ne ever hope to. the world ind posterity. r pin rT 1 am awiT, Jeajyi t d. . t i " I "t for.T.T-rr.l., of Vd.r:iy, ' . "l 1 )-M'e FllOMjl jj.ij i0 con. reduced to premature..old age and aiLi m." milk. butter, vegetables. mina enieoifa una Dewnaierea 7 xet, since it is my lot to live, I will en deavor to fulfill tmy part, and exert myself to the utmost, though this Ufa henceforth must be to me a bed of thorns. Whichever way I turn, the same anguish still assails me. You talk of consolation. Ah! you know not what ypu have lost. I think Om nipotenre could give mo no equiva lent for my boy, no, none none." The husband, hoping that a change and the society of her father would restore her to her usual health, sug gested that ah visit her father In New York. This was a very danger ous voyage at this, the beginning of the winter season, because of the se vere Btorms which frequented the coast of North Carolina and Virginia, and because of the pirates who operat ed 1n these waters at that time. Hotw ever. Aaron Burr sent a medical friend of Ws from New York to accompany his daughter, wnicm act was consld ered an affront to his honor by Mr. Alston, for the doctor wrote Burr, "Mr. Alston seemed rather hurt that vou should have conceived it neees gary to send a person here, a she or one of hla brotners wouin nave at tended Mrs. Atston to New York. 1 told hlm you had some opinion of my medldal talent; that you had learned your daughter was In a low state of health, and required unusual atten tlon. -and mpdlcal attention on her voyage; and that I had torn myself from my family to perform this ser vice, for a friend." A few dtays rater this same friend wrote: "I, have engaged passage to New York for your daughter In a Pi lot bo!t jhns been out prlvatr Iner. bi".r"""rorae in here and is re fittlr. v ' to .pro to New York, My ; f ' ' r, ivrr-r ' in and Willi 1UIMM " . . u.itV. bunches of flowers picked by Ruth early in the morning. . ner wvuuw was roses, and one especially waa , fa mous among her varieties u . pure white rose named . Marjorie, after-her mother, from whose old home in Virginia a small cutting had been brought, and which Ruth, by careful nursing had succeeueu i .u Thv were noted for their early lettuce, radishes and stragberrles. .This morning Rutn naa v little earlier than usual, and had Just .nn. our into the srarden to help Alain gather his vegetables when Mlnervy, with a red bandanna handkerchief tied on her head, and her cotton checked apron rolled up in her hands, came to the doorway ana cnea- "Missus, what I'm gwme give Richard for his breakfast? Thar aln t a piece of Ioave bread left, nor nare speck of that wheat stun wn&i in the house." "Come, Aunt Mlnervy and help Alain and I'll fix father'a breakfast. With that Ruth ran into the kitchen und st about making an egg omelet. Tn a. fw minutes her omelet was done and fixing it, with a glass of sweet milk, on a waiter she carried these to tnHirtt room. "Father. I have a pleasant surprise tn vnn noticing that you didn't seem to enjoy your meal yesterday morning 1 nave cooaeu u v"n, . Th old man was in deep reverie when Ruth camo In, but as soon as he heard her voice he shook it off and turned his attention to his morning mont Finishing his repast with much rellsrti, he pulled Ruth'a beautiful face toward him ana saia: "My child, are you unhappy?"-." "Why, no father. Why do you ask?" "Yoj'V r""-"r re'Vied tint I kep Among tha guests at Montreat were Harry Graham and his mother, who had come South with her son tn order to improve her health. She was de voted to Harry, her only child, and It had been her ambition for him to mar ry Miss Margaret Bowen, of Boston, who, with Harry's ; wealth and her own, her beauty and attractive person ality, t would , have become the social leader of Boston. But this match was in no wise pleasing to Harry t and It was with a sigh of relief that he found himself in Montreat Instead of in Boston. - ' r '. Harry was one of Alain's best cus tomers, and paid him bountifully for his flowers. Alain, being a talkative old fellow, rtook especial delight In telling1 Harry of his young mistress. Arousea by a keen desire to see, or at least get a glimpse of Ruth, from Alvaln's vivid description of her, Harry decided to walk out in the direction of Walder- fields, one beautiful evening in June. AS he was strolling tnrougn wm woods, the summer sun gleaming through the pines, the twittering 01 the birds, and the faint babbling of a nearvby brook, recalled his boyhood days on the old farm near Boston. Then he was happy.but ever since his father moved to the city he naa Deen 'in the whirl of social life. He was thoroughly worn out with society ana longed for the 'quiet place that is found only in the country, where na ture and man seem to be in quiet com munion. He had wandered to as spring and after, drinking deeply from its cool source sank down on the grass in a kind of reverie. " ' H was aroused from his stupor by a slight noise behind him and looking vp he beheld the most beautiful young woman he had ever seen. She looked lik some: lovely woodland , nymph clothed in a snowy white dress. Harry looked at her face for some time be fore being seen; but when Ruth saw him, for It was none other, she Jump ed back like a strtlea aeer, ner aarit, brown eyes flashing defiance at this Intruder. Harry could not help com narlnar hrr to the beautiful Whit Doe. which as myth goes, used to roam the Blue Ridge mountains; nut at last was killed by the cruel shaft of a, hunter. In the inmost depth of hla heart' ha decided that no shaft of aor row or harm should come to her inno- fant hrrtw If hfl COUld thwart it. Springing up be said, . ' " Miss Randolph, this is Harry Gr ham. of Boston, I wa3 taking a walk through the woods and attracted by this cool place had sat down m rest.- "This is my. favorite haunt," "ex claimed Ruth, rather timidly. This tall handsome man with his dark blue eyes, had seemed to read One's very inmost heart at first awed her; hut gradually his noble face reassured, her fears. Oraham,wlth that tact, which was renowned In the Boston drawing rodms, delicately led her to talk; in quired after her father's health and seemed to know and to be thoroughly interested In all of her affairs.: , nth however. not to he detained, hurried up the path; hut hr father noticing the purple of her cheeks and her ex citement when she came in the room asked her the cause of it. Ruth not ve versed in the art of deceiving any one, told her father of the interview with the young man, and how nice h bad Wn .to" her. The old man shrugging his 'shoulders, lookea at ner right hard and exclaimed, . ' . "What! You saw a man down at the anrtnir nd tfl.lkftd to him. Let him poison your mind with : foolish thoughts of love. Forget all about him, he was nothing but a city dude. Yet all that night Ruth dreamed of Harry and longed to see' that manly After sh had gone out, her father said. "My God, have I done right? Her mother asked that she be kept un tainted from ' the world; but have I the right to keep her nere. m tne woods and not let her . see anything of the world? To keep her here to nurse and comfort an old man like me Is this the duty of a father to his child?" Soon the old man was iosi in rev erie, thinking of the days when he had sought the hand of Mrs. Ran dolph. Should he keep Ruth, the ex act Image r ner moiner, irora tu joy nt life? Hla whole nature revolted from such a course; but ne must see this man who had made such an Im nression upon her young mind. He could not bear the thought of seeing his daughter, the only thing in the world which he loved, married to an unworthy husband. But what of Harry. When he reach ed the hotel there seemed to be some thing new In life for him. He was more pleasant and every ona noticed the change, especially his mother, who attributed it to a letter he had Just received from Miss Bowen. At supper that night she gayly asked him, "What news of Margaret?" "Tha same old thing, mum, the balls, . theatres and rounds of parties." The manner with which Harry uttered these words showed very clearly that his bouyant spirits was not due-to a letter from Margaret. A r.irht tint was all pr"',T"T-!9 snd Finally in June, Just a year since their first visit. Harry and his mother, in company with her friend, Mrs. La cy, decided to go back to Montreat for a rest. He and Margaret , had quar reled, and she had gone abroad for the summer. It was with a sense of relief that they found themselves once more at Montreat. The bracing m untaln air soon had its effect and Harry was feeling as merry as a lark, He had ex pected to see old Alain the next morn. Ing, but was disappointed, and after waiting for him a short time, asked the landlord why he didn't come? What was his .surprise when he told him that things had gone mighty bad out at the old place; that in January the old man had died, followed by Alain in about two weeks; that Ruth and old Mlnervy were still living at the place and came Into town about once a week with some products to sen. Harry waa greatly upset and was crazy to Bee Ruth; but he did not think , in Justice to her, that it would be right for him to go out to her home. He would be taking advantage of her poverty by offering her his love. The only plan he" could think of was to get his mother and Mrs. Lacy to go he was game, out to see Ruth and bring her to the hotel. The ladies readily agreed and that evening they drove out to Wal derflelds. Ruth had finished dinner and after reading awhile went out in her flower garden to work a while, Mlnervy was planting a late patch of corn in the near-by vegetable garden. Though somewhat sadder than she had been a year ago, Ruth was still as pretty as ever." Her face was sweeter, her smile more delicate and refined than it was before the death of her father, whose small-grave in a nearby grove receiv ed a bunch of flowers every morning. Looking up she saw two handsomely clothed ladies getting, out of a carri age and approaching her. Pushing back her golden locks, she advanced to meet them with pruning fork in hand. The ladles introduced them selves and after talking about . trivial affairs, Mrs; Lacy brought up the na ture of the errand. "Miss Randolph, we want you to come and stay a few weeks at the ho tel with us. A rest wilt do you good and nothing will help we two old la dles more than, to have you visit us." Tears came inrfc). Ruth's eyes, but she shook her helefc too overcome to speak. Mrs. Lacy going up and throw ing her arms around Ruth won the confidence of the girl and she premis ed to be ready the next morning. Then tha two ladles left, leaving Ruth almost dumbfounded, she could not understand their klndmes for her; yet the prospect of a fortnight at the hotel was most alluring. When she told the news to Mlnervy the old dar ky wept with delight "I'll tend to everything missus, and T-n crot Cain "Lewis to stay with me. ri her. verv evening I'll wash and Iron your white dresses. You must look your best 'mong dem rich white fnllra " Tf thev "were not elaborate dresses office had noticed a number of thev were clean ana sweet, nuui 01 various bio ntucseu iy up bright ana eariy tne next, mumiug and arranged everytning ior mm"' tm ("inrtnff her absence. Mm n-raham and Mrs. Lacy had hn (harmed bv Ruth's whole man ner. Her smile, disclosing wo, rows of ivnrv tneth. was irrislstlbi ura- hnm said. "Marion, wouldn't Miss Ranaoipn h a leader in a Boston drawing room. She would have no equal eitner in beauty, grace, or refined manners." "Perhans she will be there some day. Who knows?" remarxea xars Lacv. Harry was dellghtea at tne outcome of their visit; but especially at the thous-ht of seeing Ruth once more His mother was most enthusiastic in her praises of Ruth. It was decided that- Harry should bring xaiss nan flolnh in the next morning; so he left Mike and, Johnnv erabbed ur the hotel in a trap about 9 o'clock, ladder and ran for oover. When ne reacnea vvmuerueiun j uv-1 itNUia mu iieou uui wind! 11.. ti,. .vianore in the old : dace. I watched the biff droDS snlash weeds had covered the once beautiful the brilliant sflgns. I tair the fence naa naniy xautm v.ia w j, . !, midiv in need of upon you as beat upon ttie old "rt and renalrlng and there he murmured half sadly. xt seemed to be an air of gloom over the whole place. ' , Springing out of the trap, Harry ran up the walk and knocked at the door. Suddenly he was confronted by Ruth, dressed in the white muslin that old Mlnerw had ironed for her the even ing before. The meeting of the two e iitrect. it v.. .-n't ; f the aid of Fr; - .c i.,-- ; , .. Frank's broth- r, snl a j ;. ilts.1 his oif.ee f-'- J frtn t rooms over Die cit;ar trre c corner to Grand and Lu How The distance was short, but V waa In mourning Just U.o : Rosey announced that the chi but the precursor cf his qui- Essex Market bar entirely ar 3 t up his .profession m he Mom court. He tried tt, but The L was not fay liosey. , "The Bronx may do for s,- said Rosey, yesterday, "but it I. far away from New York." y iaagisiraie wnuman was ar' of the usual run of cases yest afternoon when a creaking was out in the street, a loud VWhoa!") men a mignty, snout, juiuis z.ej the wireless news expert, grippe1 unllghted cigar in his teeth and I out. Gashouse Johnny Feitner, I Jarilbor, grabbed half a doien plec- oanay from a bag carelessly nei : Joe Levy, the Duke of Essex S; and Joined in the rush to the : What do you know about thi asked Johnny, talking around sixth and last piece of candy a crowded it into his mouth. I said he'd be back.": . was Duke's comment. . v Outside, the street was air, black with people h outing, hut Ihg, struggling people "they wer, the chief English words which above the tumuli were; "Rosey back." ' . . ( I In the centre lof the Joy fre:f crowd was a truck. The single J. which strained at the harness dj only by dropping forward, wlthf weight of his frame. His strt had gone with the covering ot ribs. Frank the Bootblack pv gently on a pair of cobwebby and directed careSslnc words and a . k lan cursea at wie beast by turns Behind Frank- was stacked us well worn ; library, the book 1 piled in between the drlver"a seav the rolltop desk. On the tall of wagon was Rosey seated in his chair. With one hand he grlpp the desk In front of him to nl his perilous (seat more secure. I left hand was busily employed Itf ing, his silk hat in acknowledge, of the greetings that poured in or' from all ldes. . I There was a distance of pef 10Q feet yet to go to the office -f Rosey had rented over the corset I The frame of the horse weakened he was game. Then came the,1 (lathnnoa .Tn'Kyiyl'ir 4ka nrlralAtta X Joe Berkowitz, and all the rest. swooped aown upon xntai nursvi w a ' twinkling had him detached the wagon. The horse was led to where Fred Paul the health boy. was asleen in one of . . Fi chairs. Zeltner punched Paul he found a sensitive spot and him hold the horse. It was unij sary. Tne' brute was aireaay 8 The horse disposed of, a itglt sued for the honor of a place o snaiis. 1 . : Through all the celebration. never moved a muscle aside fro hat doffing and his slight strag retain his seat. It was gratlfyir; that ovation, he admitted aftei1 but it was a matter of .course admirers (lifted him down whe! truck stopped in front of the store, and Rosey sriperintende carrying of his possessions up When everything had been set in; Rosey mounted a chair. "Dear friends." he eaiid, "anc tlemen of the press, there are chairs and a desk for the reortJ regret that the unexpectedness d occasion prevents my naving f cxiairs ior ait. You see me back. You na ask me why. Why, I would as does the tired and lonely bird s through thin ether, seek. In ih vanced years, the welcoming faf He hesitated and brought down the right , arm, had been following the bird. boys can fix that up all right," h you see wnat 1 mean." 'The Bronx i ' the dean con "I have left Repper, my. partn The Bronx. He told me I woii joy it tnere. jno. wnen 1 com and look into the faces of yoc friends, my heart-" Thik It was the left hand which was withdrawn fnom its place ove dean's heart. He stepped dow whispered to the reporters, "x see what, I mean. . Fix it up yourselves." . The men crowded onto the 1 - - corner. Rosey lifted these tone to admit of a general view. name, blazoned in gold lettaVa ; a black baokground. the who1 dered impressive by an lrnmd seat, was on tne xace 01 eacn. "The old signs were faded age," he explained. ."A good rains have beat upon them an Tia nravAil Vtia ion.l Ble-nlflfmnlir reporters. f Johnny Feitner hurried out; shortly afterward reappearen time outside the window and fit ed by a ladder. Mike Whale the foot tof the ladder while one by one. It had rained some earlier afternoon and most of h or the street below bad been dr abetter. "A the last aim wk tightly into place the rain fell turned to his friends with wl. .in. ' " . . - "Veil." he said, relapsing ' into the vernaculer as he str. , ed out in his desk chair, "I ai! Yes?" 1 . ' i'" 'j' I Frecnh Peasants Odd Bu? Is indescribable, both had been haunt- New Orleans Times-Democrat, j ed by the face of the other ever since they met that June evening, a year ago. All their feelings and suppressed love sprang forth anew. They reached the hoted about noon after a delightful drive in which the two had come to a perfect understand ing. Ruth was met by Mrs. Lacy, who seemed delighted to see her, and was carried to her room. She got through dinner remarkably well, and though she had never eaten a dinner served In course, yet by her tact in watching the others no one could have tuld that she had not been v-l t- snrn thirds all her l'f?. r ef ' - 1 t'- V'"i'i "In France, at this season,": bird ' dealer, "the banks. streams are yellow with i every night. About the fir v peasants, men and women. rSi cnatterlng, spooning. "They keep the blaie go night, and at dawn, beholl ground is an inch or two der May flies, fireflies, moth' creatures that, expecting kor known and divine sensation out of the darkness Into tho and gemlike flames, fluttere in in a?Ty, fen end d!d.:; ' The. tiny - Hi orr-"" aro sold ' ' ' nt r, or ef
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 26, 1907, edition 1
20
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75