Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-04-14
An 0riipil1al STORY,
WRITTEN FOR THE ADVERTISER.
HDA hA 4 II IS Up ;
SUICIDE AT A BOARDING SCHOOL
3 Y r U T II.

Early in the Spring of 1880, Judge Lathrop,
his daughter Ida, and myself, took passage On
board the splendid steamboat Champlaln. then
plying between Albany and New York City,
Judge Lathrop was man who carried Ills
official dignity wherever he went, and seldom
spoke on any other topic than the awful reSpon-
sibilty resting Oh his shoulders regarding ms
official duties unless it was the innumcrablc
good qualities of his only daughter, Ida: Now,
as Ida and myself were both going at the same
time and to the same boarding school, the Judge
kindly offered to take me under Lis charge;
and by so-doins save my father the inconreni-
ence of leaving home affirming at the same
time that as Court was not in session it would
not interfere with his duties in the least.
Ida wasa sweet girl, not actually handsome,
but very interesting; she was not TALL nor yet
short, but just the medium size, and rather
slightly made; light golden curly hair, very
fair skin and most beautiful hazel eyes. Added
to these, very quiet lady-like department
rendered her quite prepossessing, and very Iowa,
BILE. She was six years older than myself, anu
consequently not a playmate OF mine, though
she had been very intimate friend of my eldest
sister, Cara; but Cara had married at the age
of sixteen, and being the next girl, and much
between the younger members of our families
had somewhat cooled; though Judge L. and
NV father were as great friends as ever.
There had been a report some time previous
that Ida was about to be married to u young
LAWYER named Charles Conorer, and almost
every one believed them to be engaged, but
Ida's parents always appeared rather offended,
whenever tue subject was mentioned in their
hour
ever got into peoples heads as to suppose that
child engaged. Why Ida would be obliged to
ro to school at least two years more before her
Education would be completed, and then they
intended to remove to New York City, and
give their darling the advantages Of society.
One DAWN the latter part Of February, Judge
I,athrop had come. over to play game Of chess
with Papa who was at the time inspecting the
lock on my trunk; and on being told that
would leave for Mrs. Staunton's boarding school
in a few days. said he thought 1T would be Il
good idea for Ida to 60 too, providing Mrs. La
throp could make up her mind to part with her.
So he did not stop to play the game OF cheSS,
hut osL;no when I would leave, and be-
ing told that would bc obliged to be off by
the 2nd of March, mounted "Ironsides," his
old ambling pony, and striking brisk trot, was
soon cut OF sight. The next day Mrs. Lathrop
rode over in the carriage, to make some inqul-
ries about Mrs. Stanton, and appearing
we'll satisfied with the information she obtained,
told Papa she would see about letting her daugl-
ter 20; but after she was re-seated in her car,
riace called me to the door and told me might
depend on Ida's accompanying HE to school:
So matters were settled-and on the End OF
March we left Brook Valley; took the steam
boat at Minden, and were soon ploushng through
the water at no laggard speed Papa had come
with us as for as Nlinden landing, and there
parted from my only living parent, nl.rc frlgh-
toned and heart-sick than [ had ever been be,
fore !: though had been at school IN Cleveland
Village for several years-in fact, almost ever
since the death of my mother, which melanchol-
ly event took place when | was not more than
five years Old.
WAS still standing on deck, in the wind,
long after we had lost sight Of the landing,
when Judge Lathrop recalled my wandering
senses by saying" come in the C tbin children,
YOU will be frozen here" and with that carried
ns into the cabin and left us. Ida said but lit
tie On the short passage (for we had not more
than twenty five miles 10 travel before taking
the cars,) and feeling miserable and lonely,
surrounded by SO many strangers, laid my head
upon my carpet bag and cried myself to sleep.