Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-01-04
{, LIMA, JANUA R1 4, 1860.

population. The buildings eonsisted Of one /
church, one public house, tGe postofHce, enc
store, and six or eight private dwellings.
The people were noble hearted and generi
ous, as far as their means would allow
but had spice of curiosity, like therest of
the human race.
Who the lady was, and where she came
from, they could NOT find out while she
was delirious with fever. but her piteous
moans and pleadings, as though she was
begging some one not to take the child
away from her, made these kind-hearted
people think that she had been wronged
Ia some way; and their hearts were moved
IN pity for her. TIE factFthat si.g came
among them without any baggage, only
carpet bag containing her chiId's clothing.
was proof positive of wrong in their simple
hearts.
The stranger began to recover after a
while, SO that she told them her name,
which was Mrs. Allen. Anything more
she did not seem disposed to tell them of
her affairs for the present; but as her
strength increased she spoke of going on
her journey to the next village, days ride
from her present home. She said she wish
ed to find quiet home, far from the con-
tentlons and strife incident to large towns.
The kind people about her begged her to
remain with them in their little village, for
she had endeared herself to them, SO that
they could not think of her leaving them.
She said she would like to remain there
but feared it was too near the city for her
purpose. The subject was discussed by
old and young for many day, until it wa:
finally concluded that she should remain a.
present; and she proposed to explain hel
present position to the good friends that
she had found, so that they could protect
her, in case of pursuit of those she had fec
| from.
The tale was one of misery; of hope
blighted; and her young days made miser
able by . heartless, cruel husband
Lilia Davis was the only daughter of
rich "banker," who lived in stately olc
mansion near the city where the place o
his business was located. She was tran
scendantly beautiful, an heiress, and as
matter of course, was sought. after by al
the young gentlemen that had the privileg
of visiting her fathers house. Mr.. Davi
had clerk by the name of Allen, who, b
long studied cunning had succeeded i
gaining the old genteman's confidence an
esteem, and also that of the daughter. M
Davis, therefore, took young Allen into tn
firm as an equal partner of the business
Soon after this transaction the old gentle
man taaE as1as sisaa was ieft ga an orphan IN ever
sense of the>word; for her mother had bee
dead several years. Poor Lilia mourne
! deeply for her father, for he was a kin,
1ndulgent parent. Mr.. Allen turned b
arts to the business of comforting the ia
mourner, and how we'll he succeeded
proved by his leading the beautiful heire'
to the altar, in twelve months after th
death of her father. Everything went O
very we'll for some time; but Lillia W.
forced to believe before she had been ma
rled 2 months, that her husband did n,
love her; that her property was all that il
|, duced him to marry her. He said
would not be tied to any woman only fl
the money he got by it, and after such
heartless disclosure he left her for mar
weeks. When he returned it was only
abuse her, and lead her the most miserab
. life. Her heart was well nigh broken, ar
: : she would have prayed for death to er
the misery she suffered, had it not bee
for the little babe in her arms, only fe
weeks DID, and thus she suffered until b.
> child was nearly six months old, when b.
heartless husband told her that he was g
: ing to take her child from her, and tn
= = she must leave the house; that he wou
= = give her separate maintenance, but 81
\ could not have the child; and see that 81
! ! left him in two days, or he would not gi
- her anything. Poor Lillia knew that plea
{ ing would be of no avail, whatever: so 81
y =, gathered up some clothing for her chi
J and what money she had by her, whic
s amounted to several thousand dollars; mo
= ey that she had before she was marie
and had kept unbeknown to her husban,
. and, with her child in her arms, fled fre
g q the house that very night She had ira
II eled several hundred miles, when our coac
= : man took charge of her in the city Of N
- - on that cold December day, and took b
- to the little village, where we now lea
= her with the kind friends she found.