New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-03-19
WOMEN LOVING WOMEN.
A Saranae Story.

Strange story.
Anna E. Mcdowell, in the Philadelphia
Sunday Dispatch, tells the following strange
story Of woman fascinated by a woman:
We were once acquainted with a woman
of high culture and strong mental charac-
teristics who. though Of slight and delicate
appearance, possessed many masculine
traits of character, and who was distin-
guished for great irmness of purpose.
strength of will and great personal mag
netism. This woman had the singular
power Of attracting and holding in thrall
the hearts and minds of young girls She
commenced her career as q teacher in a
small country town. Among her scholars
was a young girl, not particularly bright or
attractive, to whose advancement in study
she soon devoted herself almost exclusively
The child returned her affection with in
terest, and soon became utterly regardless
of parents and brothers, whose pet and idol
| she was.
The parents, observing her intatuation,
and being jealous OF the influence of this
strange woman over their only daughter.
withdrew her from the village school, and
sent her to a boarding school some distance
away. Scarcely had they effected this re-
moval when the teacher threw up her situa-
ton, packed up her belongings and made
| off. In few days the parents learned that
their daughter. upon being left at school.
had manifested symptoms Of insubordina-
ton and desire to run away: that she had
refused to study or take part in any of the
conversation or amusements of the other
girls and. indeed, had declined to eat, and
it had been concluded that it would be best
to send her home, when lady arrived and
requested to see the refractory pupil
The principal wrote: This visitor has
worked IL marvellous change in your daugh-
| III Il
lady is Il teacher, and she has applied for a
situation in this institutions; but rs our rules
allow of the engagement of none but those
OF our own faith. she has decided to remain
in the village and open a day school This
she did, and thus she gained frequent OPP
portunities of seeing and talking with her
| former pupil At the end OF the term the
parents. finding that their scheme for weak
enng the influence Of the teacher over their
child had failed, sent for their daughter.
resolved to keep her at home and engage
for her another teacher.
The week after her return her friend
came. soliciting the position of governcss.
This request was refused, and stranger
was advertised for and obtained. Thus
separated fiom the object OF her affection.
the girl seemed transformed into a ticnd.
She destroyed her books, threw inkstands
and other articles at the head OF the gov
if she did not leave. In selfdetense the
poor young woman was forced to give up
her situation.
The former teacher renewed her visits,
offering not only to instruct the child with
out charge, but also to help with the domes
tic work of the house if she could be per-
mitted to remain. This privilege was de
MED her and she resumed her position as q
teacher i'll the town. She was allowed-aS
her character was unexceptonablc. and no
rational excuse could be z wen for with old
ing consent-to visit her old pupil occa-
sionally. These visits continued until the
family became eXasperated by noticing that
their daughter NOW grown into woman
hoodl loathed the company of all young
men, and was particularly uncivil and averse
to receiving the visits of one gentleman of
whom they highly approved, and who they
thought would be a desirable husband for
her This greatly incensed them, and being
the most influential and wealthy family i'll
the town they brought all their influence to
bear against the poor teacher, and raised
such a feeling against her that she lost her
position in the school. and was obliged to
leave and seek subsistence elsewhere. She
came to this city, promising her girl-lover
that she would SOON make Il home and send
for her to preside over il She worked hard
for wear or two. but did not succeed in car
~ ing out her wishes.
During this time she wrote daily to hcl
beloved, endeavoring 10 cheer and keep her
hopeful, but it was without avail.
The young girl moped and refused to be
comtorted, and she was fast passing into
condition of hopeless melancholy, when her
friend wrote to her to come and share her
home. such as it was. This. much to the
chagrin OF her parents. she resolved to do.
They told her If she left their house she
left also her position as a daughter: that not
one cent of their money should ever enrich
80 cruel and so undutitul a child. All this
was without avail. She left her luxurious
and beautiful abode and they saw her
leave them toI life Of poverty and labor
with stern eyes though aching hearts. She
came to her friend who was earning a bare
subsistence, and who was living i'll "A small
third story back room. Thus united. they
resolved to cling to each other until death
did them part
After time the older of the two fell ill.
Poverty was at their elbow: starvation
stared them in tie face. Friends were in
formed OF their condition., and came to
their relief. The teachef, who, although
poor belonged to one OF the best families
in the State, was quickly surrounded by
friends. Brothers and sisters clustered
around to aid and serve her. but she had
left home and friends for her, and whom
she must soon leave lonely and hear,
broken.
As the young girl sank by the side of the
bed. and buried her head in the pillow, the
sufferer passed away from earth, leaving
one mourner wholly desolate. This mourncr
returned to her home, and the parents now
hoped that as the weird influence which had
alienated her from them had been removed,
she would in time become reconciled and
assume natural relations With her friends.
But they were doomed to a bitter disap
pointment.
Eight years have passed since she was
separated from the friend of her heart, and
her bereavement is ever present to her
mind, and her parents nov utterly despair
of auy favorable change.