The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-30
MY MARRIAGE:
Or, THE DREADFUL WIDOW.

ment Of some trifling and contemplate
disturbance, but into which, at the time, ]
was not in the mood to inquire, when my
course was arrested by pair of beautiful
black eyes, under lady's veil, which met
mine with mute appeal that could ao'
for moment resist.
"What is the matter ?" demanded Of
the possessor Of the bright black eyes.
ventured to interfere in behalf Of child
saw the people abusing, but I am afraid
that, without some assistance, my efforts
will be unavailing."
"Wasn't abusing it," cried several
rough voices together. "She was only
fighting with little Mike, and she'd q go
the best of him, too, if yc'd let her alone
at is quite enough" said the lady, WITH
spirit, her splendid eyes flashing as she
spoke, "that your sex should disgrace
itself in this way. l shall not allow mine
especially such little creature as this, tt
make a savage brute of itself if / can help
it,
"You are right, madam" said. The
man who would see your sex dragged into
the prize ring must have little respect fol
his own mother. You are Quixotic, how
ever. to assume the duties Of this child's
natural protector. Where are its pa
rents ?"
"Dcad," cried three other little children
in chorus.
Where-how does this little girl live,
thcn?''
"She lives with Miss Fanny Fink, and
does errands for her."
"What sort of person IS this I" H.
CURED the dark-eyed lady.
"She dresses finer than you do, ma am,
replied one of the female bystanders, " but
she is not exactly the 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 a laugh among the acquaintance Of
Miss Fanny Fink.
The lady in the mean time had not letgo
her hold on half-clad, sturdy little glrl,
whose face was flushed with passion ana
discolored with blood, dirt, and tears.
She stopped down to her, raising her
veil. and said "Little one, if you Will 60
with me, viii find you good home you
shall have nice clothes, enough to eat, ana
be taught to read and write. What 10 you
say ?" 49,
The sweetness and beauty of the lady's
face surprised me; the child seemed quite
overwowered by her gentle influence, and
replied Yes, a'am, l will so with you
anywhere"
at this iuncture a policeman arrived on
the spot, and the lady at once addressed
herself to him, explaining the case, and
shortly afterward She walked away, lead
ing her little charge, escorted by the guar
dian 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.
I had, however, at that time, too many
troubles Of my own TO afford time to look
after those Of others. A very long and
law suit had exhausted the once
handsome fortune that had long kept my
family in so cnviable a position, and left
me nothing but fallacious hopes and illu-
sive expectations. My father died during
the slow progress Of the litigation; the
LAWYER who had commenced and so long
sion and it appeared too probable that
my mother, too, would pass away without
the satisfaction Of knowing that SO much
money, thought, anxiety, and suspense, had
not been entirely thrown away. She was
very i'll and forcsaw with certainty that
the slender thread which held her to this
life wolld snap if the final decision in our
cause, which it was believed would soon
DO rendered, should be against us; for it
would ncccssitate the salo Of oil that re-
NAMED to us, and leave lis little better
than beggars. It was our last stake, upon
which all our hopes aud confidence had
gradually conccntrated and if that were
lost, we had nothing more to lose-nothing
but blank despair to encounter, which we
burst not anticipate.
The lawyer who at the time conducted
our suit was an old friend Of my father
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 pro-
liabilities from me. But | could not,
would not look forward to anything but
triumph, and chose rather to regard his
discouraging tone as one Of the means he
employed to enhance the value Of bis SER
vices in achieving success. He was a
good man at heart, that old lawyer, and his
penetration was wonderful; but he was
not apt to spoil his medicine by over
sweetening it, and my pampered palate
rebclled not little against its disgusting
but wholesome bitterness.
l had long hunt after an important fe-
male witness, whom | found at last in a
garnet, dying of consumption. And whom
should find, sitting like ministering an
gel at her bedside, but the beautiful black,
eyed lady whom I had lately met, the
compani on of the little orphan girl.
cit is in such places as this, where q
good angel is most needed, and not in the
circles OF gaiety and fashion, that l must
seek you, l see," exclaimed I, gazing upon
her with irrepressible admiration.
The lady blushed deeply; and, as soon
as she had recovered from her momentary
confusion, observed quietly that she was
simply performing duty to which an old
friend Of her mothers was fully entitled.
While obtaining the deposition of he1
patient I had several opportunities OF con-
versing with this excellent beauty, and
her modest elegance and graceful ease
captivated my soul.
One evening 1 was permitted to accom-
papy her in search Of conveyance and
as 1 had resolved to express my sentiments
freely to her on the first available occa-
sion, I was, as is usual in such cases.
much embarrassed when it presented it.
self.
"Your patient is dying, I fear"
"She is conscious Of the approach of her
deliverance, and as such regards it."
SIT is an angels office you fill in smooth.
ing her path to the grave"
g Do NOT fnttor me- sir 1t is but little ]