North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-03-28
gflert gtory.
MY MARRIAGES
OR THE DREADFUL WIDOW.

in by-street which | supposed had col
lected tor the contemplation and enjoy
ment of some triAing and contemplate
disturbance. but into which at the time |
was not in the mood to inquire, when nay
course was arrested by pair of beautiful
black eyes under lady's veil, which met
mine with mute appeal which | could
not for moment resist.
"What is the matter?' | demanded of
the possessor of the black bright eyes.
A remarkably sweet voice replied, IL
have ventuied to interfere in behalf of a
child saw the people abusing. but l am
afraid that, without some assistance, my
effort will be unavailng."
Wasn't abusing it," cried several rough
voices together. "She was only fighting
with little Mike, and she'd got the best of
him, too, if yc'd let her alone"
sit is quite enough said the lady with
spirit, her splendid eyes flashing as she
spoke, "that your sex should disgrace it.
self in this way. shall not allow mine,
especially such little creature as this, to
make savage brute of itself, if | can help
it."
"You arc right, madam | said. "The
man who would see your sex dragged into
the prize-ring must have little respect for
his own mother. You are Quixotic how
| ever. to assume the duties of this child 5
natural protector. Where are its parents"
Dead" cried three other little children
in chorus.
"Where-how does the little girl live
them"
"She lives with Miss Fanny Fink, and
does errands for her."
"What sort of person is this !? inquired
the dark-eyed lady.
''Sle dresses finer than you do, ma'am,'
replied one of the female bystanders !;
''but she is not exactly tie person to bring
up child in the way it should 60, as she
has strayed long way out herself"
The pointed truthfulness of this remark
raised laugh among the acquaintance Of
Miss Fannie Fink.
The lady, in the meantime, had not let
90 her hold on a half-clad, sturdy little girl
whose face was flushed with passion, and
discolored with blood, dirt, and tears
She stopped down to her, raising her veil,
and said, Little one, if you go with me /
will find YOU a good home. You shall
nave nice clothes, enough to eat, and be
taught to read and write What do you
say!'
The sweetness and beauty of the lady's
face surprised me the child seemed quite
overpowered by her gentle influence, and
replied: ''Yes, ma'am, will go with you
anywhere"
At this juncture policeman, arrived on
the spot, and the lady at once addressed
herselfto HIM, explaining the, case and
shortly aftcrward she walked away, leading
her little charge, escorted by the guardian
of the peace. Although much pressed for
time, fingered to look after her till she
turned the corner; for never had | seen a
face which seemed to me half so lovely as
hers, and it haunted me ever after.
| had, however, at that time too many
troubles of my own, to afford time to look
after those of others. A very lohg and
expensive lawsuit exhausted the once
handsome fortune that had long kept my
family in so enviable q position, and left
me nothing but falacious hopes and iIlnsive
expectations. Ny father died during the
slow progress of the litigation; the lawyer
who had conducted it also died before its
conclusion; and it appeared too probable
that my mother, too, wonld pass away
without tie satisfaction of knowing that so
mnch money, thought. anxiety and sus-
pense had not been entirely thro wn away.
She was very i'll |; and foresaw with Ger
tainty that the slender thread which held
her 10 this life would snap, if the final de-
ciSion in our cause, which 1t was believed
would soon be rendered, should be against
us; for it would necessitate the sale of all
that remained to us, and leave us little bet
ter than beggars 1t was our last stake,
upon which all our hopes and confidence
had gradually concentrated; !; and if that
were lost we had nothing more to lose
nothing but black despair to encounter,
which we burst not anticipate.
The lawyer who at the time conducted
our suit was an old friend of my fathers
successful, rich, independent and surly -
and, as he had undertaken the case more
from friendly than pecuniary motives, did
not attempt to disguise the truth and prob
abilities from me. But could not. would
not look forward to anything but triumph,
and chose rather to disregard his discour-
aging tore as one of the means he employ
ed to enchance the value Of his service in
achieving success. He was good man at
heart, that old lawyer, and his penetration
was wonderful; but he was not apt 10
spoil his medicine by over-sweetening it,
and my pampered palate rebelled not a lit
tie against its disgusting but not unwhol-
some bitterness.
l had long hunt after an important fe-
male witness whom found at last in gar
ret dying of consumption. And whom
should find, sitting like ministering an
gel at her bed side, but the beautiful black
eyed lady whom ! had lately met, the COM
panion of the little orphan girl