Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-06-24
A Strange Story.

N Sti thSS otOJ
Some years ago there lived in Vir,
oinia q beautiful and accomplished
Young ladv-a member of one OF the
oldest and hest families in that State
She was the reigning belle in the SO
ciety in which she moved. In the
course of time she married young
LAWYER of the highest respectablilty
both as regards talents and family
connections. In due time they had
son horn to them. They were ex-
ceedingly happy.
The lawyer, in the course OF MS
business transactions, became some
way or another entangled in a quar-,
rel with another lawyer. A duel
was the result. In the contest the
husband was killed. The wife be-
came inconsolahle. A severe fit OF
sickness followed. When she re-
covered, .he only thing to lavish the
whole affections of heart upon was
her son. Her entire attention was
given to him.
After a year or two she was sur
rounded by an immense number ol
admirers, and several made propo
sails of marriage. She denied them
all. Her heart was true to her first
and only love. At last many OF hel
admirers importuned her to marry
them, offering her fortune, station
everything that would be likely tf
win a woman's heart, but all OF nc
avail. She replied to them that she
could not give them her hand with
her affection; her heart was with the
buried dead.
The widow found that these ap
proaches were made to her so often
and so earnestly that she withdrew
herself from society as the only thing
like quietness; but even the letters
would annoy her. So she determin
cd to get out of society entirely ant
seclude herself in some retired spot
She dld not care where she went i
she could only secure quietness ant
enjoy the pleasure of training ant
cultivating her boys mind and hav'
his exclusive society. He was no
BILE little fellow.
Well, after looking about for
place where absolute desolate seclu
sion could he obtained, she be un
known, and the climate would b
congenial, she determined upol
Florida. So she removed to a retir
ed spot about mile or so from Ocala
where she found n small hut alread.
built and suited to her requirements
She purchased it and there remalne'
for some time, when unhappily he
boy was taken sick and died, an
was buried near her house. Sh
planted an acorn near by, that wa
found after his death in his pocket
1t has grown to be a large tree.
Alone in the world, without Il sou
to converse with, she fretted an
pined her life away, her only consola
ton being in her communication
with her Maker. She prayed fo
peace and obtained it. She had n
domestic servant to wait upon he
| but cooked her own meals, etc.
Occasionally she would see PEI
sons approach her little home, an
not wishing to be seen, would retir
to small cave near by, where sfi
, could watch the movements of stral
gers until they were gone, when sll
would come out again and take po
session of her little shanty.
One day she walked into Ocala, ft
the purpose of obtaining some med
. cine at the drug store. She W;
closely hooded and disguised. Thel
was gentleman in town, howeve
whom she recognized as an ol
suitor. She Immediately left, an
, was lost to sight quickly. The gel
tleman saw the eyes; he thought
knew them; their influence in Il
past had kept him awake many
night. He was at first staggert
!, with the thought that it might
4 her. Indeed he was almost pard
yZed, for he was single and RENAME
+ so for her sake. When he recovert
his senses sufficiently to know VIII
he was about, he turned into Il
street to look for her, but she W
r. gone, and no one could tell him an
thing about her, or in what directi'
she had gone. He searched t
." country all around, but his eflol
y were fruitless. At last he had
: give up the pursuit. He was We
2 unhappy.
Well, the lady lived many years
terward, still staying at the sal
place. At last she found that i
D. health was giving way: that t
hardships she had to undergo
= ing in so wild and rude condition
4 necessitated her making q confids
= of somebody, so as to obtain he
She called in the assistance of
honest, quiet colored woman, Al
pollv Eu1Up who woG tn har So