The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-10


been anything better than a servant, but have
done my duty in the condition Of life appointed me,
as far az i understood it.n
Mrs. Brent then proceeded to narrate series OF
events OF the most startling character, which the
reader VIII perceive have an important bearing on
the fortunes OF the heroine OF this strange history
10 appeared from Mrs. Brent's story that she had
lived with the mother OF little Violet and took care
OF her and her sister lViolets aunn from the time
they were children. That the mother OF Violet died
when the child was mere babe and left her to the
care OF her aunt That the grandfather OF Violet who
was rich, had left his property so that Violet would
inherit II all IN case her aunt should die without chit
dren OF her own. That the aunt's husband, who was
heartless :amester and whose wife had no chill
dren, wanted to have Violet poisoned, 80 that her
fortune could into his clutches but finally COM
promised with his wife, over whom he held secret
power, and agreed that man named tiggs, who was
going 10 Oregon should carry the child on and rear
her as bis own But the aunt had plotted with Mrs.
Brent TO defeat her husbands scheme and hence the
flight III the nurse with Violet and her appearance
with her at Mr.. Whitney's. She had come TO have
Violet left in charge OF old Mr. Faconer to whom she
was related through her grandmother and had been
assisted on her way by priest In New York named
Father Boyle, who had sent her 10 another priest
living near the Vale, called Father John and he had
Having told her story and refused TO give the
name Of Vioets aunt or uncle Mrs. Brent was taken
to the turnpike gate where the stagecoaeh passed.
put into IT and sent on her way home, leaving word
with Mr.. Whitney that he could az any time COM
municata with her by sending letter to the Of
Father Jerome Boyle, in New York.
The next day Mr.. Faconer's funeral took place,
after which the VIII was read, and Mrs. Ashford
learned that she had been made the OLD mans heir.
ess. The avarlciOus Ashford was greatly displea5ed
when he found that the property had been settled
Mr. Whitney and Mr. Melrose as trustees for his
wife, but ne did his best TO hide his chagrin under
an air Of sanctim0niousness.
Ashford had fully resolved TO abandon his wife and
child at an early day, but accidentally discovering
that Fantasia had great dramatic talent, and might
be developed into an actress OF unusual merit he re-
solved to tram her for the stage and delayed his
find out the parentage Of Violet as he felt assured,
as ne said, that he 'conld make money on her II
he only knew who she wasn
With view TO feeling his way In the matter he
one day, on seeing his wife looking over some arti
Giles OF childrens clothing which she had purchased,
careessly asked
"Did not Violet need anytning2 These few arti-
cles are Tor Fantasia, Isupp0se."
II found sufficient supply OF clothing for yio-
let" replied Mrs. ASHFORD, TN the bottom OF the
basket in which she was placed. They are OF fine
quality and beautifully made.'
"indeed and is there no name to be found on
any OF themf Have you examined them carefully 7"
eyes, very carefully; for l had to mend nearly
every garment where the name had been removed
by using an acid which destroyed the fabric"
"UInph was there no trace Of letter left on one
OF thems'
Alter momentary hesitation Mrs. Ashford re-
"violet could be distinguished on some OF them,
but only on one piece was there trace of the last
name. could not quite make out whether that
was an X or an s. You will discover nothing from
such a source as that.n
ssAh! wen. that is something; and putting frag-
ment after fragment together may bring me GER
talnty some OF these days. ] have been looking mp
evidence while have been away so much, and to-
morrow shall see Whitney about that letter. He
knows who the child is. and Will know too--on
that am determined
Mr.. Ashford lost time in prosecuting his search,
and having worked up his case with the skill OF
detective he prepared to make his attack on Mr..
Whitney. The stakes were great and the players
skiiful, and which won we shall see as the story
progresses.
The above is oil OF it that viii be published in
our columns. The continuation OF it from where 1t
leaves or here can be found only In the New York
Ledger, which is for sale at all the book stores and
news depots. Ask for the number dated February
20, 1862 and in 1t you will find the continuation OF
this beautiful tale. The Ledger is mailed to sub
scrlbers at three dollars year. The publication OF
Rev. DR.. Tyngs great story, which has been written
expressly for the Ledger, will be commenced in the
Ledger In the course OF q lew weeks. The Ledger
Henry Ward Beecher has article In every number.