The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-22
WEDNESDAY,. APRIL o., 1868.
A semi.,ocaI 1tem-Romantic Reality

A SemisI0cal Item-R0mantfc Reality
From the Cincinnati Enquirer. .
About fifteen years ago there came to this
city from New York very young man
named James E. Appleton, who engaged
himself as light porter in the establishment
of 8 firm then doing large grocery and
commission business on Walnut street. 1t
has now changed hands, one Of the former
proprietors has retired, another has removed
East, and the third is dead-but it is Of the
last, and young Appleton, that the present
sketch concerns. The latter was barely
twenty years Of age when he engaged with
the firm, and he occupied his position for
more than year, working diligently, and
to the satisfaction of his employers. In the
mean time, during his leisure hours, he had
made himself proficient book-keeper, and
at this period there being vacancy, he.
was promoted to that position. : ia, -l..
R. B.. the youngest partner in the firm,
took especial notice of Appleton, whom he
frequently invited to his house, of which a
younger sister constituted, in the estima-
tion Of the impossible youth, one Of the
most attractive features. But Miss Caroline
{her name) was somewhat Of o naughty
beauty, and poor Appleton was soon taught
the disagreeable truth that her aspirations
went far above the state of poor book
keepers mate. Thus being brought to ap-
preciate the value Of money, he set his
thoughts upon procuring it, but with only a
scanty salary there was no avenue for spe-
culation, and it seemed hopeless case. I'm
fortunately, on acquaintance at this time
CHANGED to draw prize in the Havana lot
terry, an event which must have gone far to
prove that the age of miracles is not past.
It presented the hopeful young man an easy,
rapid path to wealth, so that every dollar he
could raise was invested in lottery specula-
lions. Alas! blank after blank met his
gaze, and still with the proverbial despera-
ton of gambler, he continued the game,
until, in his case, as in that Of thousands
before and thousands who are to come after,
he abused his responsible position, and the
almost inevitable fate in such cases was real
lied, he was discovered and disgraced.
The elder member of the firm was stern,
unflinching man, who would have made an
example of the unfortunate young fellow
but for the intercession of the juvenile
partner, Mr.. B., who, from his own purse,
made up the deficiency in his accounts, and
provided him with the means to leave the
city and seek his fortune elsewhere, unbur-
dened with the disgraceful load which would.
attach to it here. . .. . ...s a-
Time passed, and the sister of Mr.. B.
married a wealthy Kentuckian, who took
her to Europe, where, it is said, she for
some time figured as one of the most promi-
nent bellies from this side of the water but
her husband was as " fast F" as she was
thoughtless, his fortune was soon squan-
dered, and he returned to New York, where
his brother-in-law was by this time loca-
ted, only to become burden upon him,
until three years ago he died Of cholera,
leaving his widow with two children.
In the mean time matters had not gone
well with Mr.. B., who, in his turn, had
been compelled to obtain situation in u
prominent shipping-house, and in the
course of some Halifax IN. S. correspond
ence he frequently met with the name Of
81. Z. Appleton" one of the members Of
the well-known firm of Cunard & Co., the
world-renowned head of the ocean naviga-
tors. He at first deemed it q coincidence ;
but at length, determined to satisfy himself,
he wrote to Halifax, and received in reply
letter from another party stating that Mr..
Appleton was then in Liverpool on business
connected with the company. Poor BIS
health, which had been some time failing,
compelled him shortly after to resign his
position, and with his sister and her chill
dren he retired to Stonington, Conn.,,
where, when he first went eastward, he had
purchased a cozy little place for summer
residence, which, at much sacrifice, he was
enabled to retain.
Here three months ago he died and was
buried, and thus we are coming to the de-
7ouenent of this simple, and yet romantic,
life sketch. Appleton, for it was he, upon
his return to Halifax, saw the letter, and
first replying, afterward visited New ! ork
in search of the writer, but he had left his
situation, and the parties were not informed
of his then abiding place. He subsequently
made several business visits there, but up
to the last time failed to hear anything OF
his old friend and benefactor. This was IN
January, when one of the clerks, remem-
boring his inquiries, told him of the death
of Mr.. B., and how his sister, widow
lady, was keeping juvenile school at
Stonington. It is needless to state that
mingled feelings of curiosity, friendship,
and remembrance of the old love, led him
to the place, and our tale is ended with the
following nuptial announcement copied from
the.Halifax IN. S. papers
"Married, by the Rev. Alexander Ross,
Mr.. James E. Appleton, of this province, to
Mrs. Caroline Somerville, late Of the United
States of America. The newly-married
pair, Immediately after the ceremony, Left
in the packet ship for Liverpool"
An extraordinary step has lately been
taken in photography. By process which
is still a secret, M. Adolphe Braun, of Dor