Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-10-12
A Melancholy. Romaacp

strange incident took place in New Or
leans few days since. man, far advanced
in years, had been employed to carry a box TO
a certain quarter in this city; but, previous to
reaching his destination he fell dead in the
street. The authorities ordered the BODY to be
removed to the hearse depot: the box being
inmates proceeded to examine The box when.
70 their astonIshment it was found to con-
tain the skeleton or a child, and the skull a I'D
some some other bones belonging 10 the body OF an
adult. The discovery was communicated to
the proper authorities, and at length the fol.
loving particulars transpired: Don Ramon
Duran, native Of Spain, married in Cstalo-
MIA, many years ago. wealthy lady, called
Donna 1sabel Romero, for whom he professed
the most tender attachment.
The latter dying after the emigration of the
couple to New Orleans, Duran by some means
obtained the skull and some OF the other bones
o. his deceased wife, which he ever after Kept
win the greatest care, wrapped up in q piece
OF blue silk. Some years after the death Of his
first wife, Duran married a second-a person
much younger than himself. By this wife he
bad daughter on whom he fondly dotted; but
the latter dying about 1888, when only In her
greatest grief, and, determined not to part with
his daughters body, had 1t secretly emba,med,
and put lBto box with the remains OF his
former wife; but, IN order not to appear as
opposing the laws and established customs, he
went to the expense Of mock interment
TINS loss exercised so strong an impression
on mis- mind thst he seemed Indifferent 10 all
cline. His keeBly sensitive mind was, how
ever, destined to feel another, and, from the
attendant circumstap ces, still more painful be-
reavement, in the elopement OF his wife, which
event almost unseated his Judgment Rum
made now such rapid strides In the fortunes Of
this hapless man, that, il the course OF q short
time, the once wealthy proprietor was reduced
to the condition Of a common beggar. But he
had still one treasure lett; the humble suppl.
ant wandering from door TO door dependent
upon public charity TOR support, had yet In his
possession, and ignored an priceless gem,
which shared with him his fortunes-the box
containing the bones Of his wife and child
he thus lived on for q series Of years. and
whenever 1t became necessary to- shift his
place Of residence, the box containing
the precious relics was ever his drst
care, and for which he craved q shelter under
the title Of important papers. His last resi-
dence was at the house OF widow who had
known him in bettsr times Hers he iyed un.
Ill sickness overlook him. when the scanty
means of his hospitable laadlady not allowing
her 10 administer to his wants, he removed to
the public hospital. where he died about a year
and halt since. This lady, who appears In
some degree TO have imbibed his preiudicas,
out of respect to his memory, would not. for q
long time, allow the relics so highly prized TO
be removed but tho earnest solicitations of her
acquaintances,w who were already, as well 80
herself, apprised OF the contents OF the box,
induced here at last to consent Proper stops
having been conseQ uently taken to insure their
admission 70 the public cemetery, an old man
was employed for the purpose OF conveying
them 10 the hearse depor, who, as we have
seen, sunk under his burden to rise no more.