The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-01-10
OPAL RING.

MY OPAL RING.
iad taken my seat in the car with a
t tor Indianapolis. When We stopped
Hebron a gcntlemanly-iooking person,
gray hair and white cravat, entered
0ok his place beside Inc. lie soon be-
honyersing and gave me to understand
lsaclergyman, though he did not vcuch-
]is name. He was a good talker, and
led me so much pleasure that it was
O'Clock in the evening before l an
Eced my intention of seeking my sleep
erth.
| arose to 90 into the sleeping car. he
ne same. and we found ourselves des-
to occupy borths together. He ex-
ing n desire for the outer one. l took
iSsiOn of the inner one. ard was soon
sleep,
vas bright daylight when l opened my
We were flying along at a tremend-
peCd, beng, as L understood, behind
Most of the sleepers had left their
s, and my ministerial companion was
It up.
yh 4 long-drawn yawn | arose and stood
2 center of the car, while | commenced
NC on my coat. As l glanced down.
| instantly discovered that available
pin. set with diamonds. was missing. |
[3diately went to my berth and made a
,ugh search, but failed to find IT. 1
examined very carefully every part OF
ar, with no better success. | had seen
my shirt-bosom when l went TO bed.
is | was positive. The loss gave me
annoyance, for apart from its beauty
salua, it was the gift of q friend. In
nxicty | commenced to hunt up my
end acquaintance; bnt after passing
Oh all the cars he was nowhere to be
4. This surprised me, for he had CIV
~dianapoliS as his destination. Some of
assengerS 10 whom | communicated
bcs expressed doubts as to the charac-
my sleeping companion but l could
ltertain their suspicious. There was
thing about the man which forbaGet the
Of his assuming the garb of religion
" the calling of a thief, SO | dis
I'd the thought, which. under ordinary
instances, l might have been justified
5ertsining. | questioned the conduc-
ut he could not recollect where my
anton left the cars.
loss Of my pin made ME gloomy nm
reached my destination. At length
my business engagements, it almost
q from my mind.
teen years from that time and | was in
!. standing before that magnificent hca-
bile, the Pantheon, when a tine-looking
dy had her pocket-handkerchief car
1T by a sudden gust of wind. ItlOdged
a heap of rubbish almost at my feet.
led it up and, approaching the lady,
u ny1 ra+nron1 rf N-hnn i 6icnnynra1
he party were Americans. From this
! circumstance commenced an acquaint-
which had a great influence on my at
e.
|: lady gave her name as Mrs. Wythe,
Alabama. She was accompanied by
randson, Talbot Wythe, a sickly look
Jung man, who wore spectacles, and
antly consulted a guide book and his
Virginia, a pretty brunette, who had
tot laughing and displaying q fault
I Of pearly teeth. Accepting an invi-
to call upon them at their hotel, l
enced to walk slowly away with the
I OF Virginia Wythe before my mind.
re at this time living at Rome one
blph Coulter, a native of Alabama,
h home was in Mobile. Coulter was
fist of no mean genius. His studio
most under the shadow of ST. Peters.
Ter | walked, thinking he might know
hing of the Wythe family, as they
from his W State. l found him
occupied at his labor when l entered.
g down his palette and brushes, he
k:ci his hand and babe me be seated.
im afraid | have interrupted you,"
kcd.
fot at ALL" he re- lied ; 81 have over
d myself OF late, and L am glad to
a little repose. Come, let us talk.
fhave you been doing with yourself for
sst week? | have seen nothing of
ot much" I replied, save writing
correspondence. Has it been a week
[ was here? | had no idea it was so
es. | believe ] have hot seer you since
inday, and to-day is Saturday" he an
vas sitting before his easel, and as he
L walked toward his chair, saying /:
iyou have no objection, / would like
what you are doing"
,me on" he replied, with a laugh.
l,pped behind him, and to nv aston
mt stood before the portrait of Virginia
L. 1t was quite finished, excepting
line touches, and was a life-likc pic
no is that - I asked, glad to conceal
,rpfiSe as | stood behind him.
lady from my State" he replied, ais
1t pretty?
7ss Wythe, is it not 81 | asked.
turned sharply around as | spoke.
you know her, eh?"
inly net her this morning." | replied,
zen | narrated the circumstance at the
icon.
ley are nice people," he said.
d you know them at home p l asked.
)t personally" he replied ; "but eve
y in Alabama has heard of the Wythes
Sme with good cause, too"
I'll me something about Them" l said.
rs not difficult" he replied. "Major
, was a planter, and as irritable an old
as you could find anywhere. At one
Re was Immensely wealthy, but some
for other he lost a great part of his
tty. The family are still pretty well
it are nothing like as rich as formerly.
lajor died some fifteen years ago, but
It'll he had seen two of his son 60
ing down to the grave. Mrs. Wythe is
estimable old lady, and has seen much
In her day but she has borne it re-
ply well.