Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-16
MRS. CUNNINGHAM-BUR
A New and Singular Chapter in her History

AND MRS. CUNNINGHAM.
The next Friday, Mt FIVE o'clock, both par
tIes were at the matrimonial Office according
20 agreement. Mr.. Fitzgerald observed that
Mrs. Cunningham had pale, haggard and
sleepy look; and she felt called on to apologize.
which she did by saying she up all the
previous night with sick person
- / am great nurse, said she, land as ysu
complaining Of n bad cold and head ache,
| think i shall have to try my skill with you -
Frank replied that he was indeed quite i'll,
and doubted not her treatment would soon re-
store him; but at once changed the subject by
inquiring after the young lady Of whom she
had previously spoken to him. -
Mrs. Cunningham replied that she was well,
but that it took widow for good nurse; and
otherwise managed to attract conversation to
herself. She finally said:
-. 1 tell you what it is, sir. If you want to get
cured, come with me-"
Do you propose to introduce me to your
family tonight %
oh no, sir. The time may come when that
will do; but it will not do yet; you cannot even
know my name. When we know each other
well enough-when / know who you are, and
you know who am, then will invite you to
my house. But until that time comes shall
not do 50.
L thought suggested Frank, 'by your
speaking of nursing me, that you would take
me under your care at home.
No. There are plenty of restaurants where
We can 60. You are, presume, acquainted
with some of them"
Il don't know that am The truth is l
have led very quit' and straightforward life
In New York. -
Well, there are plenty of places where we
90. There is one at the corner of - street
and Broadway, where we can have a room to
ourselves, and be waited on in good style"
The conversation was interlarded with much
irrelevant gossip, and by this time it was quite
dark. Fitzgerald thought he fully compre-
hended Mrs. Cunningham's meaning and re-
solved to retreat at once. lie therefore, remark
ed that he was too unwell to remain longer
but would go directly home. and take some
medicine for his cold. At the same time he
took out his pocket book and said:
Il trust madam, as cannot remain longer
To- night you will not be offended if offer YOU
a small present merely fs token of sincerity.
II il, Of course, but triAe. and nothing to
what L shall expect to do for you if our ac-
qusintsnce continues
Saying which he took out formidable roll
Of bank notes, and handed her five dollars.
Mrs. Cunningham took the money without
hesitation. and said
Il thank you. 1 have done nothing to deserve
IT, but perhaps shall be able to in future"
AT any rate You are quite welcome to so
small a trihe; and trust you will never have
cause to charge me with ingratitude," replied
Frank.
lie was about to leave, but Mrs. Cunningham
called him back.
1t is early yet said she, '.and am really
troubled about your cold. You have a very
bad cough, perceive, and if you are not at
tended 10 at once, l fear il will amount to some
thing serious.
Il hope not, replied Frank.
The truth Il, there are few people who
know to nurse a sick person. she continued.
quite earnestly. Il can cure you of your cold,
/ am sure. 50 you will not feel it tomorrow.
Come! to with me to the place speak of,
""d ~,'H br go" RIP a pH''eA 'chieh am
,ssc 5-,H rnTe.'
Mr. Fitzgerald thought Of the pile Of bills he
hs,I displayed thought ofthe ugly sides -glances
cl-t ON him more than once during the evening
thought of Bond street and the bloody trage-
dy-and finally Of the possibility If punch
which would not only cure his cold, but all the
ills his flesh Wa heir to. and found the ass1cia-
tion Of ideas decidedly unpleasant
i am much obliged to you, madam he
oiled, not allowing any of his Thoughts to
Il expression In his countenance; you are
very kind. indeed. and 1 believe your punch
would cure me; but really must deny myself
the pleasure tonight feel so i'll I must 20
Well she said, ''yon must Of course be
your own Judge go
The broker now came in. and began 10 talk
about the execution Of James Rodgers, the boy
murderer, which had occurred that day, and
an account Of which. it seemed she had read in
the evening papers. She remarked that it
seemed hard TO hang 80 young person.
How did he bear up :" sked Cunningham
Very well. believe" replied Frank, to
whom the question was addressed. - L have
not read the account, and shall not, probably
l lake no interest in such things, and could
never understand the great love the public
seem 10 have for murders and hsngingsn
VtRNr ..eff H..
in the papers. said Cunningham. I'VE have
shocking number of murders in New York. -
e.; there seems to be a great propensity
for cutting thrOats, and putting men out Of the
way, among you New Workers. But it seems
that most Of the rasesls get clear here. your
jurics acquit nearly every ybody that is tried !"
Cunningham. who had appeared very ner-
v"us during the entire interview, seemed more
- at this stage Of the conversation. and re-
marked that it was difficult thing always to
tell who was guilty and who innocent; and that
public opinion was always unreliable in such
matters
Fitzgerald. in commenting on the great num-
Der If startling tragedies winch the New York
papers serve up with such vigor, remarked that
hs had always supposed the accounts were ex-
sgyerated.
They are exaggerated - said Cunningham
d" The papers are not Ia be relied ON at all The
reporters are a set of vultures that beset per-
can get anything true that suits them, they
make IL out Of whole cloth. The reporters will
lie as fast as they can write, and they may use
short hand at that. Look how they worried poor
old Mr. BIount's life out of him. They make n
thing ten times worse than il would be If they
would let il alone. They are a meddlesome,
lying set. ="
presume il is for their interest TO over
draw. responded Frank, - but suppose Rod
gers was really hung
Yes" said Cunningham, - / supposed the
rscr fellow was killed. IL is n barbarous Gus
tom. in my opinion, and l think it ought to be
abolished don 4 believe in capital punish
nent | remember. when L was child, Of
-eping a man hung at the TOmbs; never
have passed the Tombs since but / have
thpuxht Of an execution" 49,.
4 hard place that TOmbs. | should think, y
remarked Frank. thinking desperately of Mrs
Cunningham capabilities To- judge OF the
I!are n n residence.
I L: il horrible place, che replied. with
much earnestnesS; bat suddenly checking hel
vehemebee. added - at least should think
-, have been there avisitor several times
and it didn't seem to me any person could live
there