The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-03-16
Romance OF Real Life.

A briclparagraph has lately run the rounds
OF the press, stating in effect that fortune
OF $3.50, 600 was awaiting Dr. Patterson, or
his heirs, of Mobile. The full history Of the
case, the discovery of the heir in Chicago,
| and the previous experience of that person,
afforded material for Il first class romance,
without need Establishment. We propose
to give merely the outlines of the story,
which is not less true than strange.
In 1868 rich widow came to this city
from Mobile, and stopped and remained for
some time at one Of our principal hotels
She was the daughter of DR.. B. +. Patterson,
OF Mobile, who was once Il Judge and subse.
qnently became surgeon in the rebel ser.
vice. Not sympathzing with the rebellion,
she came within the Union lines, and hav.
ing converted most of her property into
money, was possessed Of 100000 in cash,
besides some lands, upon her arrival in Chi.
caso. Of course a widow, young, hand.
some and so rich, was the recipient of MANY
tlatterins attentions while here, With her
child, little girl, as her only companion,
she led: however, very secluded life, wait.
ing for the termination of the war
When hostilities were over she went to
Mobile, found that her father was missing,
and no doubt was dead, while his estates
were almost entirely wasted by the disasters
of war and by litigation. Residing for IL
short time at Washington, she became ac.
quainted with and presently married Mr..
D., son Of n we'll known rebel sunmakor
at Richmond. They we're led to try to in.
crease their fortune in the oil regions, and
removed to that vicinity. Mr.. D's invest.
mcnts in the land and in sinking wells were
large, but were altogether unsuccessful. -
The result was, that in very few months
they were quite impoverished, and the hus.
band went to the frontier to try TO rcpaiy his
fortunes, while the wife came to Chicago
second time, having upon her arrival hardly
sufficient means to sustain her for one week.
She was one Of gentle blood, and unused to
work, but she at once sought employment as
an humble Scamstress; some Of our cloth.
ing house men being impressed by her APP.
pearancc readily gave such ligh, work as she
was able to do-prcparing nee ties, etc. So.
with diligence she was in few months not
only able to provide for herself the neccssa.
ries of life, but to employ two or three as.
sistants, and to look forward to the estab.
lishment Of a more independent business.
Her husband, meantime, did not do we'll,
and proving to be unable to combat misior.
tune successfully as she had done, he re.
turned III few months, to be supported by
her cXertions. Aiew weeks ago, however,
he got at work in locksmth shop, (ncar
McFicker's THEATRE where his skill as n
mechanic soon gave promise of large re,
turns. The faithful wife often carried his
meals to him, chccred him, and sometimes
chided because he prolonged his labors far
into night He was then contrving a patent
skate. We are told, by the way, that the
rooms they occupied were curiously adorned.
The man was rebel, and on his side of the
house were hung pictures of rebel chiefs and
other indications of his 'sympathies. On
hers, were tiny Stars and Stripes Lin.
coin, Grane' and Union heroes. But this
humble estate was soon 10 be abandoned.
Simultaneously with the appearance of the
paragraph to which We have made reference,
came dispatch to the lady from Mobile. and
another from Washington, Notifying her
that, in her fathers right she was the heir TO
the great estate that was as yet unclaimed.
The sewing machine was gladly abandoned,
and the locksmilh threw down his tools. -
Before this time, no doubt, the subjects Of
these freaks Of fortune are merrily laughing
over their little episode somewhere in the
vicinity of Mobile bay, and with chastcned
spirits humbly enjoying the goods that have
fallen to them. Chicago Republican.