Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-06-06
II THE CITY


An Incident has recently occurred in this
city, which has strong touch of the ro-
mantle. 1t might form pleasing episode
In an epic, or an interesting situation in a
"yaller kiver'' sensation novel. But we
who are neither poet nor novelist can only
"piain unvarnished tale unfold"
Some months ago young lady, whom,
for the sake of distinction, we shall dcsig.
nate as Helen, came down here from. the
Forest City, on an errand of affection and
mercy, to see a sick brother In one of our
military hospitals.
AS every rose has its thorn and every
earthly paradise is guarded by "a dragon, SO
had the lovely Helen one who assumed, in
that great emporium on the lake where Pu-
ritan morality has full sway and an unin-
terrupted course, to be herspecial guardian
and dprotector. He was a gentleman in high
position, to whom we willapply the name
OF Esculapius, without the slightest intend
ed allusion to his particular calling. His
disinterestedness is more conspicuous in
this, that while he had dependent wife
and family on his hands, he voluntarily took
upon him elf the care and charge of the
charming Helen. ~f'+ ''''
How Helen contrived to escape the sur
veillance of Esculapius and come hither to
console her sick brother, must be left to the
readers imagination. Let it suffice to state
that she found, or must be supposed to have
mol nd 20 hou nd
comforted him as only loving sister can.
While engaged in this mission, she was OBJ
served by one whom we will call Sir Ashley,
without reference to his Office or position,
both of which were high and respectable.
He saw Helen administering, with match
less tenderness and love, to the needs of her
afflicted brother, and could not help ex-
claiming:
When pain and sickness wiring the brow,
ministering angel thOul ~.
Cupid aimed at Sir Astley's heart one Of
: his keenest darts. 1t pierced the pericardi-
um, and tormented him night and day,
The force of Latin verse he had often pom
dered over and scanned in College, now
struck him for the first time:y4
0mnia vincit amor; ct nos cedamus amori.
Love conquers all; and we must yield to love.
We need not dwell on what followed
Nothing but the presence of the beautiful
Helen could give Sir Ashley minutes rest
or diversion. He, therefore, lavished upon
her every attention gallant knight of the
olden time could have bestowed upon his
fair "ladie-love." But the hour of parting
at length came. 1t was fiery ordeal, new
ertheless it had to be passed through. Helen
returned to the Forest City to the care OF
her guardian, Esculapius, but still kept up
clandestine correspondence with Sir Asst
ley. One day last week she returned hither,
probably on the same sisterly errand as be-
fore, and was provided by Sir Ashley with
neat and cozy quarters at the place where
the hospital was located. Sir Ashley was
unremitting in his attentions, taking the
fair Helen to the Opera House, and to every
place of amusement and recreation to be
found. But his bliss was too great to last
There came frost-a killing frost, and
nipped it in the bud.
The watchful guardian, Esculapius, Ell.
ther hearing of or suspecting the state o.
the case, arrived here on Friday night last
full of anxiety-may be, with a slight mix
ture of wrath, and Immediately proceeded
to the Camp, where he surprised the fail
Helen ere she had risen from her downy
couch. Becoming matter-of-fact man, ht
compelled her to rise, and to start with hin
on foot to the Capital. On the way, how
ever, private conveyance was Obtained
Esculapius registered himself and lady al
the Neil House, where he deposited his pre-
cious charge. Sir Ashley appears again OF
the scene, and, in the evening, during thu
temporary absence of the guardian
carries off the ward to the Opera House.
There the lynx-eyed Esculapius finds her
takes possession; an alteration ensues; bu
no blood is spilled, and an apparent recon
citation is effected.
But Sir Ashley, after meditating over hi
love and his wrongs all night, the next day
determined he would try bold expert
ment to obtain one more interview with thu
charming Helen. Accordingly he applied
to civil magistrate, before whom he causet
Esculapius and Helen to be arraigned Oh
the grave charge of an improper liaison
He offered to withdraw the charge if hi
could be permitted a five minutes inter
view with Helen; but Esculapius was In
exorable, and would not permit it. Lone
was the parleying, till at length, the mag
istrate' falling to enjoy the romance o.
the case, released the lady, but held hel
guardian, Esculapius, under bond to ap'
pear before higher tribunal. The latter
having been discharged by the magistrate
and from the Neil House, disappeared with
Helen, leaving Sir Ashley inconsolable.