Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-11-01
A Melancholy Romance.

A strange incident took place in New
Orleans few days since. A man, far ad-
vanced in years, had been employed to
carry box to certain quarter in the
city; but, previous to his reaching his
destination, he fell dead in the street. The
authorities ordered the body to be remov-
ed to the hearse depot; the box being
meanwhile left in an adjoining house.
The inmates proceeded 10 examine the
box, when, to their astonishment, it was
found to contain the skeleioa Of child
and the skull and some other bones belong
ing to the body of an adult. The discov-
cry was communicated to the proper au-
thorities, and at length the following par
ticulars TRANSFERRED; Don Ramon Duran,
native of Spain, married in Catalonia
many years ago, wealthy lady, called
Donna Isabel Romero, for whom he pro-
fessed 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 of his deceased wife,
which he ever after kept with the greatest
care, wrapped up in piece of black silk.
Some years after the death of his first
wife, Duran married a second-a person
much younger than himself. By this wife
he had a daughter on whom he fondly
dotted; but the latter dying about 1888,
when only in her seventh year, Duran was
plunged in the greatest grief, and deter
mined not to part with his daughters dead
body, had it secretly embalmed, and put it
into box with the remains of his former
wife; but, in order not to appear as OPP
posing the laws and established customs
he went to the expense of mock inter-
ment.
The loss exercised SO great an impress
sion on his mind that he seemed indifferent
to all about him, and his affairs began
rapidly to decline. His keenly sensitive
mind, however, was destined TO feel anoth-
err, and from attendant circumstances still
more painful bereavement in the elope-
ment Of his wife, which event almost un-
settled his judgment. Ruin made now
such rapid strides in the fortunes of this
4 hapless man, that, in the course of short
! time, the once wealthy proprietor was re.
! duced to the condition of common beg.
gar. But he had still one treasure left
; the humble suppliant wandering from door
to door, dependent upon public charity fol
support, had yet in his possession an ig.
nored and priceless gem, which shared
: with him his fortunes-the box containing
the bones of his wife and child. He thu:
, lived series of years, and whenever il
became necessary to shift his place of resi-
' dence, the box containing the preciou;
: relics was ever his first care, and for which
: he craved shelter under the title of i'm
!. portant papers. His last residence was a
the house of a widow who had known hin
in better times. Here he lived till sick
e ness overlook him, when the scanty mean;
J, of his hospitable landlady not allowing hel
to administer 10 his wants, he removed tc
: the public hospital where he died yeal
: and half since. This lady who appears
] in some degree to have inbibed his prejdu
. dices, out of respect to his memory, woul(
d hot for long time allow the relic SO high
n ly priced to be removed: but the earnes
e solicitations of her acquaintance, win
d were already, as well as herself, apprize,
|, of the contents of the box, induced her a
S last to consent. Proper steps having bee
s consequently taken to insure their admis
o sion TO the public cemetery, an old ma
: was employed Tor the purpose of convey
}, ing them to the hearse depot, who, as W
: have seen, sunk under his burden to ris
e no more.