Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-26
M, Lffe.ui.t,or,y,..'

Mans inhumanitytow oman--his dead
heart to, every yirtuous impulse--his
recklessness u the qualification lof his
passions, have been the theme of the
moralist since the dawn Of civilization.
A case has just been brought to our no
tice, the details of which are absolutely
shocking, and make us view the chief ac-
tor more as a monster Of deformity than
a sentient human being, capable of the
impulses that sway mankind. We shall
not give names-at least for the present,
although the parties are well known, and
unless decided change shall take place,
such as would prompt o more generous
nature, the secret 50 well maintained
shall be exposed. There is no effort at
sensation or pathos in this, to awaken
sympathy and draw tears, but a plain,
unvarnished statement of facts, the
names of the parties alone being sup
pressed. ~ D.I .tfl'i'si tt'k
"A widow, made so by the war, and
left in moderate circumstances, by him
who had devoted his life to his country,
and the care of two girls, growing into
womanhood, resided ing Chelsea, but
what part we decline to designate. She
had small property, neat home, and
with industry and economy could live
comfortably. The girls were attractive
in person and developing rapidly those
charms which inspire the base feelings
Of the false-hearted. One of those YAM
pires Of society by some means became
acquainted with them and soon estab-
lished footing as a frequent visitor to
the cottage. As time rolled on the in
terviews with the elder sister grew con-
fidential, and the blinded mother did not
perceive the sands washing away from
beneath the feet of her daughter stand
ing there upon the brink of danger.
The catastrophe came. The seductive
arts employed and VOWS of love and
constancy overpowered the susceptible
girl, and woman's brightest charm was
gone forever. A child was born, but the
secret Of its birth was well preserved,
and the false father conveyed it to the
safe-keeping Of nurse. In due course
of time the arch dissembler lay siege
to the heart of the younger daughter,
and she too became a victim to the
fell seducer who had ruined her sister.
OF the interviews, the passionate as
surance of endless love given to both, the
charges, counter-charges and denials, it
is needless to speak. We feel no dispo-
sition to lift the curtain and draw nearer
such charnel house. The younger
girl, debauched as she had been, her
principles undermined, her sympathies
that had wildly chung around that heart
less, pitiless man, meeting no responsive
throb, in the very whirlwind of despair,
made headlong plunge to the depths OF
perdition, and is now the inmate of one
of those palaces of pleasure and sin and
remorse, which pay for the privilege of
protection. The cause Of all this an
guish has not had his heart touched, for
it is cold and immovable as marble. The
only penetrating ray is that of avarice,
and he wishes to be spared the expense
of keeping his poor, sin-born child at
nurse, restoring it to its pining mother
through no motive of pity, but to reduce
his expenses The nurse is unwilling to
give up the child unless all arrearages
and the promised douceur are paid.
And thus the case stands the ruin of
a family complete - family whose
head had given his life to his coun-
try--a mother and not yifa-Ta girl
abandoned and wretched-an infant fed
On strange breast and unknowing
he tenderness of mother What
should be done with the author of ali
his? And it all happened in the suburb