Middletown transcript., 1870-02-05
Original Storp.
A TRUE STORY,
Written for The Midtiietown Transcript
BY ]. C. NC.

Bulwer would probably call this {
strange story" and doubtlessly so from
the fact that truth is stranger than fic.
ton" | should not give it to the public
II any of the parties referred to were now
llving-but they are not. The grave has
closed over them, years have passed away
since they moved upon the stage of ac-
ton, and there are no kindred left to be
panied by the revival of the sad incidents
which in their day and time made won
derful Impression upon the public mind.
More than half century ago, among
the eminent physicians who enjoyed the
confidence and divided the practice in the
city OF h, none stood higher, both in
the walks of social life and professional
excellency, than Doctor W. He had
married a lady from one of the Oldest fam
lilies in the ancient Dominion, the fruit of
which union was an only daughter. The
year after the birth of this child Doctor
w. was called upon to part with the young
and lovely partner of his bosom, and upon
him devolved the delicate and responsible
trust of raising this tender fowret, and
training her to walk in the way which her
sweet mother, ere her death, had trod.
1t was thought at first, by many, that
the Doctor would return to Scotland. the
land of his birth, but at the solicitation of
friends, and the earnest entreaties of the
numerous families in which he had prac-
ticed so successfully for several years, (for
the Doctor was bachelor of some thirty
five years of age when he married) he gave
up the idea of leaving the scene of his ioys
and sorrows in matrimonial life, and with
proper attendants to take charge of his lit
tie Maria, during the feebler years of her
infancy. and the subsequent period of her
early girlhood, he gave himself up to his
profession, winning, as time moved on,
both reputation and wealth.
Years sped along. The little infant had
budded into the beautiful child, the child
had passed into young womanhood, idol
lied by her father, and admired by her
of both sexes. And in truth
she was very beautiful. Delicate of frame,
fair of face, her bright but mild blue ewes,
shaded by long soft lashes, looked out at
times dreamily upon surrounding things,
and anon would fash with enthusiasm, as.
iinging back her clustering haxen curls.
she would read or hear told some story of
owe and trials, and constancy unto death.
Her education had been as thorough as
he facilities of the period afforded, and
he parlors of Doctor w were seldom
without visitors of an evening, drawn
hither to share the smiles and conversa-
ion, and listen to the music of his petted
,hild.
Although the Doctor had accumulated
! large fortune by his practice, and was
till adding to his pecuniary resources- ,
TRANCE as it may seem-although liberal
n his supplies to Maria. and by no means
iggard in his entertainments, he had grad
ally fallen into the hateful and fatal no. !
lon that money was the prime element in ,
he completion of human happiness, and
hat to be rich was all that man could de-
lre-for riches could purchase distinction. s
troops of friends, and what was man
'ithout money? Not that Doctor w. q
aid SO much, but he thought it, felt it,
erhaps. .
1t is one of the peculiar infirmities of r
dvanced life, this thirst for riches-it r
rows stronger as we move on the road a
lat leads towards death. It is +" the sill a
er cord" that tightens around the soul, b
} that soul looks out from eyes that are r.
altering with the rheum of age. It is I
the golden bowl" from which tho old |,
an quaffs imaginary nectar, as he clutch
} its sides with convulsive grasp, lest it d
, "broken." The fact nor the moral is. W
'wever, pertinent to the story Ii
When DIR. w. settled in r. he was n
'out thirty years old, and having gradu-
ed after the usual protracted studies, ie
quisite to obtain his degree, at Edin- d
lrg. the letters which he brought with w
M to some of the most prominent citi- di
na to0afhar u;th he o...vo ,lo..-4 -. NJ