The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-21 00:00:00

ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE.

A brief paragraph has lately run the rounds of
the press, stating in effect that a fortune of $250,000
was awaiting Dr. Patterson, or his heirs, of Mobile.
The full history of the case, the discovery of the
heir in Chicago, and the previous experience of that
person, afford material for a first-class romance,
without need of embellishment. We propose to give
merely the outlines of the story, which is not less
true than strange.
In 1863 a rich widow came to this city from
Mobile, and stopped for some time at one of our
principal hotels. She was the daughter of Dr. B.
F. Patterson, of Mobile, who was once a judge,
and subsequently became a surgeon in the rebel ser-
vice. Not sympathising with the rebellion, she
came within the Union lines, and, having converted
most of her property into money, was pos-
sessed of $60,000 in cash, besides some lands, upon
her arrival in Chicago. Of course a widow, young,
handsome, and so rich, was the recipient of many
flattering attentions while here. With her child,
little girl, as her only companion, she led, however,
a very secluded life, waiting for the termination of
the war.
When hostilities were over she went to Mobile,
found that her father was missing, and no doubt
dead, while his estates were almost wasted by the
disasters of war and by litigation. Residing for a
short time at Washington, she became acquainted
with and presently married a Mr. D— son of a
well-known rebel gunmaker at Richmond. They
were led to try to increase their fortune in the oil
regions, and removed to that vicinity. Mr.
D—'s investments in land, and in sinking wells
were large, but were altogether unsuccessful. The
result was that in a few months they were quite im-
poverished, and the husband went to the frontier to
repair his fortunes, while the wife came to Chicago a
second time, having upon her arrival hardly suffi-
cient means to sustain her for one week. She was
one of gentle blood, and unused to work, but at
once sought employment as au humble seamstress;
some of our clothing house men being impressed by
her appearance readily gave such light work as she
was able to do—preparing neckties, &c. With
diligence, she was in a few months not only able to
provide for herself the necessaries of life, but to em-
ploy two or three assistants, and to look forward to
the establishment of a more independent business.
Her husband, meantime, did not. do well, and
proving to be unable to combat misfortune success-
fully, as she had done, he returned in a few months
to be supported by her exertions. A few weeks ago,
however, hel got work in a locksmith's shop (near
M'Vicker's Theatre), where his skill as a mechanic
soon gave promise of large returns. The faithful
wife often carried his meals to him, cheered him,
and sometimes chided because he prolonged
his labours far into the night. He was then con-
triving a patent skate. We are told, by the way,
that the rooms they occupied were curiously adorned.
The man was a rebel, and on his side of the house
were hung pictures of rebel chiefs and other indica-
, tions of his sympathies. On hers were a tiny
" Stars and Stripes," Lincoln, Grant, and Union
heroes. But this humble estate was soon to be
abandoned.

Simultaneously with the appearance of the para-
graph to which we have made reference came a
despatch to the lady from Mobile, and another from
Washington, notifying her that in her father's right
she was the heir to the great estate that was as Yet
unclaimed. The sewing machine was gladly aban-
doned, and the locksmith threw down his tools.
Before this time, no doubt, the subjects of these
freaks of fortune are merrily laughing over their
little episode somewhere in the vicinity of Aobile
bay, and with chastened spirits humbly enjoying the
goods that hare fallen to them.—Chicago Republlcan•