The Republican journal., 1870-01-27
FORTUNES FROLlCS.
From the San Francisco Call, Jan. Q.


around us, and in the present sketch we pro-
pose to give pen-and-ink account of one
that was east by a lady who, a few years ago,
filled a large space in the social sphere OF
San Francisco, and whose life then appeared
too bright to ever become tarnished. But
there Is Divinity which shapes our ends,
rough heW them as we will, and our present
business is to tell the story as it was told u.s.
not to write a dissertation upon the case
which brought it about.
A few evenings ago. ''One of Ours ="
while walking up kearney street with a
friend, was addressed somewhat as follows
''Do you see that cellar on the opposite
corner, where the transparencies announce
an entertainment ?'
Yes. What of it ?n
eff you have half an hour to spare, and
will 60 with me into that place, will, per-
haps, be able to give you the data for a good
para graph"
As q matter of course, the proposition
to give us the materiel for a good article was
all powerful and without hesitation we de-
scended the stone steps that led to the under
ground theatre. The room was large and
spacious one. At one end a small stage had
been erected, and in front of it was a piano,
before which sat thin, sallow-faced, specta-
cled professor, who was beating The keys
with nervous enegy, which told plainly
that disease was consuming him, and that he
was not long for this earth. The room was
filled with tables, around which were placed
arm chairs, and the majority of these chairs
were occupied by persons who We're drink
ing wine, and playing dominoes and cards.
| We took a seat ut one Of the tables called
for 4 bottle of Napa soda, and watched the
actions of those around us. We had been
there but a few moments, when a woman
came upon the stage and sung a song in a
fair but not artistic manner. When she made
| her appearance, our friend clutched our arm
and whispered
''Mark her well. 1t is OF her that will
tell you"
She was a woman that to our practiced
eye appeared to be forty years of age, al
though she was painted and puttied in such
manner as to convey to those who were not
I fully acquainted with the little tricks of the
female toilet the impression that she was not
more than half that age. She was vivacious
III her acting, yet one could see that beneath
The covering there was something gnawing
at her heart strings.
After she had made herexit from the stage,
we got up and left the cellar and were Glad
to once more get upon the street, where we
could fill our lungs with pure, fresh air, and
throw OIL the mephitc gases we had inhaled
during the time we had spent in the cellar.
After we had gone u short distance, our
companion said
II propose to tell you something about the
life of that woman 1t is Il strange story
and very romantic, but truth is stranger
than fiction, and you will probably realize
this fact i'll the narrative | am about to re-
late"
| We sauntered along the street, smoking our
cigars and enjoying the gorgeous evening
While our companion spoke as follows:
''ln 1862 and 1868 one Of our most pronis-
ING merchants began to spread himself He
had been doing Il Legitimate business, and
had amassed considerable of fortune He
had a contract with the State authorities bv
which he obtained the labor Of q large num-
Der OF convlcts for song. His business was
| prosperous and his prospects were bright
Ills "lie was foremost i'll many Of the So
cieties organized for the purpose of aiding
and assistingthose indistrcss, and the family,
while being one of the most respectable and
moving in the best society, appeared to be
one of the happiest The husband purchased
lot IN the southern part of the city and cree
cd a dwelling house upon it at u cost OF
twenty OF thirty thousand dollars. After its
completion he moved his family into it, but
remained there only a short time. for the
and he found that he could not afford to live
in the house. He accordingly disposed of it
and took apartments in the upper portion Of
the building occupied by him as Il salesroom.
Like many others when iortuue begins to
leave them, he could not stem the current.
and he finally disposed of his business and
went to Mexico to look after some mines
that he had purchased, and which had been
constant drain upon him. Before his de-
parture ne hired rooms for his wife in a house
on Montgomery St, sent his children off to
boarding school, and made such arrange
mentS rs We're necessary to prevent the
''gaunt WOLF from approaching the door Of
his wife during his absence. His residence
IN Mexico was drawn out to a much longer
period than he anticipated.
| During her husbands absence the wife
formed the acquaintance Of young gentle
man, who was connected with IN amateur
theatrical society, and by him she was induc-
ed to make her first appearance on any stage.
She, too had been stagestruck for some time
and did not require much urging to consent
to try her abilities behind the toOtghts This
action appears to have been the turning point
III her lite, for she not only became infatuated
with the stage, but also with the Young
amateur; and when at last her husband re-
turned he found matters in such a condition
that he strongly doubted the faith of his wife,
and after 4 time he sought 4 separation from
her through the divorce courts. After the
usual delays attendant upon such cases, the
divorce was granted, and the husband brok-
en- in fortune, disguised with California, and
manner in which fate had treated him here,
proceeded East, where he has since remain
ed.
After the divorce the wife became ballet
girl in one Of our theatres, and appeared
nightly upon the stage but not in the charac-
ter she had fondly hoped she would one day
be able to represent. In company with
strolling companies she made several visits
to the interior of the State, and young fel-
low attached to one Of these companies, who
had no better position than herself, married
her. They arc now living together, but
whether they are happy is problem that l
cannot solve. She now nightly appears up
on the stage in this cellar, and sings to charm
those who drink beer and Wine 1t is a sad
change, 4 dreary ending of q brilliant career
| Valparaiso merchant recently receiving
a challenge from an officer with whom he
had quarrelled, sent back this answer 81
have no desire whatsoever to kill you, much
less do desire to be killed myself. Here is
| what | propose. Go to the nearest wood