Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-02-02

! intoxicating liquor for fifteen years,
since
"since when?' I inquired, thought
/ lessly observing his hesitation.
The old man told me. Sixteen years
ago he was well-to-do farmer, near
/! Syracuse, New York. lie had one
child, a daughter. While a girl Of
sixteen years of age, she formed an at
tachment for a young physician. Ac-
quainting her father with the circum
stances, be fatty refused his consent to
a union with man whom be had never
seen, and removing her from school, des
patched a note to the young gallant,
with the somewhat pointed information
that his presence in the neighborheed Of
the Ainsley farm would not meet with
favor. The reader of course surmises
the result, for such proceeding could
have but one result. In less than a
month there was an elopement. The
father loaded his double -barrelled shot
gun, and swore vengeance, but falling to
find the fugitives, he took to the bottle.
His good wife implorcd him not to give
way to despair, but be drank the deeper,
and accused her of encourag ging the elope
ment. In three months the wife died,
and at the expiration of a year when
the young people returned to Syracuse
from; Connecticut, where they had re-
NAMED with the )arents Of the husband,
they learned that the old man had sold
his farm, squanderiug the proceeds, and
was almost destitute. Learning their
arrival, Ainsley drank himself into a
frenzy, and proceeded to the hotel where
they were stopping, attacked the hus-
band, wounded him in the arm by pis-
tol shot, and attempted the life of his
daughter, who happily escaped uninjured
through the interposition of persons
brought to the spot by the report of the
pistol Ainsley was arrested, tried, and
acquitted on the plea Of insanity. The
daughter and her husband returned to
Connecticut, since which time the father
had not heard from them. He was sent
to a lunatic asylum, from which he was
dismissed after remaining six months.
In 1851 he came to California. He bad
followed mining for two wears, but find
ing his strength unequal to the pursuit,
returned to this city, purchased hand
cart, and-the rest is known. "Since
f them" continued the old man, bowling
his face in his hands in agony, 81 have
not tasted liquor, nor have | seen my
poor child =
[ regretted that had been so inquis-
tive, and expressed to the sufferer the
sympathy / really felt for him. After
that, seldom passed the corner without
looking for S'Pap Ainsley," and never
saw him but to think of the sad story he
had told me.
One chilly, drizzly day in the Decerl-
Der following, a gentleman having pur-
chased small marble top table at an
auction room opposite, protfered to the
old man the job CT carrying it to his res
idence, on Stockton street. Not wishing
to accompany the carrier, he had selected
the face probably giving the best assu-
rance of careful delivery Of the pur-
/ chase.
/ Furnished with the number Of the
house, the old cartmaa, after pretty
trying struggle with the steep ascent Of
California street, reached bis destination,
and deposited the table in the ball
Lingering moment the lady did not
surmise the reason, until he politely in
formed her that her husband (for such
he took him to be), had probably by ac
cident omitted to settle for the carriag
/ Very well, [ will pay you," said the
lady, stepping into an adjoining room.
She returned and, stating that she had
no small change in the house handed the
man twenty dollar piece.
He could not make change. ''Never
mind, | will call tomorrow" he said,
turning to go.
'sNo, o'' replied the lady, glancing
pityingly at his white locks and trem-
bling limbs. II will not put you to SO
much trouble" and she handed the coin
to Bridget, with instructions to see if
she could get 1t changed at one of the
stores or markets in the neighborhood.
sStep into the parlor, until the girl
returns; the air is chilly. and you must
be cold" continued the lady. "Come, E"
she added, as he looked at his attire and
hesitated; 'tbere is fire in the CRATE,
and no one there but the children
1T is somewhat chilly replied the
old man, following her into the parlor,
and taking a seat by the fire.
Perhaps | may find some silver in
the house, said the lady, leaving the
room, '.for I fear Bridget viii not sue
ceed in getting the twenty dollar piece
changed" !"
"Come-I love little children" and
the child who had been watching him
with curiosity ran behind the large arm
chair, and hesitatingly approached. =
l. wv hat is your name, dear y inquired
the cartman
''Maria, . lisped the little one.
''Maria?' be repeated while the great