The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-16
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
A ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE:
An Eventful and Remarl4ab e Personal
History.


narrative is given in letter from Paris, under
date of the 18th January last, from the cores
pondent of the 81, Louis Republican,
The yenerableE Abbess of the Ursuline Con-
vent Of Nevers, whose life was, perhaps, one Of
the most eventfui on record, died last week at
the advanced age of ninety eight. For fifty
years she has been an inmate Of the Convent,
winning the love and respect of all who ap-
preached her.
In the summer of 1862, there broke out at
Paris disease very similar to what is now
called cholera, and which was quite as fatal in
It's consequences. Although not contagious,
the immense nrmber of persons attacked by
1t led The people TO think il was so, and terro-
took hold of the minds Of all. Mothers abanr
doned their children, wives their husbands, sis-
ters their brothers, and almost as many perish
ed by flight as BY the disease itself. In two
months thlfty.pne thousand persons were bu-
RED IN the different burial grounds around the
city. The hospitals were crowded-so crowded
that the physicians and nurses passed with
dlihcuity among the beds, and the demand for
ADMISSION was so great that every day long
ME oil SICK might be seen at the door, some
supported by relations, but the most part lying
on the ground, waiting until their turn should
come TO be admitted, but often before night
The half OF them were carried to the cemetery
instead of the infrmary. AS may we'll be sup
PooSoy tHO tdsM VI plly was ITO iig ut
one, and finalls, they were obliged to organize
their labor, AMI force themselves to repose
certais time every day, and take the service in
turns. IN ordeEto be able to bear up under the
extraordinary efforts they were called upon TO
make.
One day, as young physician, he who
twenty years later was known as the cele-
brated Dr. ScRlie, was leaving the hospital TO
go and take his turn of repose, a servant man,
hrn h Inn1 IL IL
asked if he was physician. The doctor an
swered in the affirmative, and the man begged
him. for Gods sake, to go to a house in the
neIghhorhood and see asi ck person. Although
against the rule they had established, the doc
tor consented, and was conducted to the house
by the servant, who showed him into large,
handsomely furnished room. In this room the
doctor remarked first tall, handsome woman,
with her hair all in disorder, and her face pale
as corpse. standing near and screening child,
who lay upon a sofa. Around her was collect
ed group Of twelve young girls who looked
to the doctor to be nearly of the same age,
and made him suppose ii was boarding
school, particularly as these young girls all
wore dark green silk dresses. and had their
blond hair braided and tied with blue ribbons.
The doctor could see no difference between
any of them; they all had fair skins, small
blue eyes, light hair, long noses and large
mouths but before he could ask any ques-
tions about them, the woman advanced hur-
riedly, snd seizing him by the arm, led him TO
the sofa, and in hoarse voice said Look at
that child The doctor looked-before him
lay beautiful little girl of about ten years of
age, but utterly different from the others. Her
hair was black as midnight, and hung in ring
lets over her shoulders; her eyes were closed,
and her liyid complexion and contracted fca-
features showed that the dreadful disease had
seized upon her.
Open that window said the doctor, 'and
bring some vinegar Immediately to rub the
childs body
What cried the woman, she has not got the
plagued!
Why certainly did you not know III? answer
ed the doctor.
No, no; take her away, take her away. She
sllant stay here to kill US all. Come nv daus H.
ters, come away quick! Oh. the wretched child,
She will be the death of you.' and she pushed
the twelve girls out of the room, and went after
them.
But the doctor sprang after her.
Are you the mother oflhat childr he asked
Yes bat take her away-she shant stay
here
She must be put to bed and taken care Of
said the doctor.
She shall not have bed in this house-take
her away
But where am | to take her; besides, she
will die ifremoyed'
i don't care take her to the hospital; any,
where, only take her away from this hunse.'
Though horrifed by the feeling expressed
by this unnatural mother, the doctor tried
moment 10 persuade her to do something for
her child; but finding il useless, aud seeing
that II he left the little girl in the house she
would die from neglect, he took her in his
arms, wrapped her in blanket, and carried
her 10 the hospital, where he was fortunate
enough 10 find vacant bed for the little suf-
ferer. fhe doctor then made some inquiries
concerning her parents, aud learned that
MonsleHT Domergue was O manufacturer of
large means and his wife really the mother of
thirteen children, all daughters, and duly re-
glstered at the Mayors Office as having been
poFn III seven years. Six times Madame
Domergue brought pair into the world all
wonderfully resembling each other, lisht hair.
o!ue eyes, tair skin and sharp features. The
mother adored them, and her pride and ioy
was at It's Climax when she found her family
again abort to be increased. But alas this
time she was disappointed, for little girl ar
rived, but wihoutany companion. This alone
would have been enough TO have turned her
mothers heart from her, but besides this she
was entirely different from the twelve Others
The mother could see no beauty in her clear
brunette complexion, her black curling hair.
uafk eyes ana exquisite features and from the
moment Of her birth, little Esther was an iso-
lated being, unloved and uncared for. While
her sisters were dressed in silk, she wore cot
ton, and while they were fed upon dainty food,
she ear with the servants in the kitchen. AS
she grew she gave her mother fresh cause for
dIslike, tor whereas her sisters were endowed
with intellecis OF The most met diocre order and
learned the simplest things with the greatest
difficulty. Esther's talents and quickness of
perception made her the wonder even of her
sisters. Seeing this, that her twelve pets were
likely 10 be thrown in the shade, Madame Do
mergne stopped Esther's lessons entirely, and
the most the poor child could obtain was per-
misscn to remain in the room while her sisters
were with their teachers. By this means she
was enabled TO learn great deal, and as she
afterwards often said, these were her only hap
py hours. The father of this large family,
though kind-hesTted man, was exceedingly
weak, and the slave of ibis wife. Besides, he
was much from home, and when in the house,
a Ha1 II