The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-17
a Yirginta Romance.

a virginia Romance.
from the Ocals (Flordal Banner]
Some wears ago there lived in Virginia
beautiful and accomplished young lady-a
member of one of the Oldest and best fami.
lies in that State. She was the reigning belle
in the society i'm which she moved. In the
course OF time she married young lawyer
Of the highest responsibility both as regards
t.lents and family connections 10 due time
tbey had n son born to them. They were
very happy.
The lawyer In the course of his business
operations became in some way or another
entanged in quarrel with brother lawyer.
A duel was the result. In the contest the
husband was killed. The wife became In
conso,able. Asevere fit Of sickness followed.
When she recovered, the only thing TO lavish
the hole affection of her heart upon was her
son. Her entire attention was given to him.
After year or two she was surrounded by
an immense number of admirers. and several
made proposals Of marriage. She declined
them all. Her heart was true to Der first and
only love. AT last many OF her admirers i'm
portuned her to marry them Offering her
fortune, station, everything that would be
likely to win a woman's heart-but all Of no
avail. She replied to them that she could
not give them her hand without her atiec-
tions-her heart was with the buried dead.
The widow found these approaches were
made to her so often and so earnestly that
she withdrew herself from society as the
only means of obtaining anything like quiet
ness; but even then letters would annoy
her. So she determined TO get out OF the
way of society entirely and seclude herself
ia some retired spot. She did not care where
she went il she could only obtain quIetness
! and enjoy the pleasure of training and Guilt
yatipe her boys mind and have his exclu-
sire society. He was noble little fellow.
Well, after looking about for place where
absolute seclusion could be obtained and DC
unknown, and the climate would be congo
NAL. she determined upon Florida. So she
removed to a retired spot about mile or
two from Ocala, where she found small hut
already built and suited 10 her requirements.
She purchased it, and there lived for some
| time, when. unhappily, Der boy was taken
sick and died, and was buried near her house.
She planted an acoro near by that was found
after bis death in bis pocket. 1t has now
grown to be large tree.
Alone in the world, without single soul
TO converse with, she fretted and pinned her
life away, Der only consolation being in her
communipgs with her Maker. She prayed
for peace and obtained it. She had no do
nestle servant to wait upon her, but cooked
her own meals, DC.
Occasionally she would see persons APP
proach her little home, and, not wishing to
| be seen, she would retire to small cave near
| by, where she could watch the movements of
strangers until they were gone, when she
would come out and take possession Of her
, shanty.
One day she walked into Ocala for the
purpose Of obtaining some medicine at the
drugstore. She was closely hooded and
disguised. There was gentleman in the
store, however, whom she recognized as az
old sutton. She Immediately left, and was
lost to sight quickly. The gentleman saw
the eyes; he thought he knew them-thcir
! Influence in the past had kept him awake
many 4 night. He was at first staggered
with the thought that it might be hcr-in-
! deed, he was almost paralyZed, for he was
still single. and remained so for her sake.
When he recovered his senses sufficiently to
know what he was about he turned into the
street TO look for her; but she was gone, and
no one could tell him anything about her or
in what direction she had gone. He searched
the country all around, but his efforts were
tIuitless. At last be bad to give upthc pur-
suit. He was very unhappy.
Well, the lady lived for many years after.
wards, still staying at the same place. At
last she found that her health was giving
way; that the hardships she had to un-
dergo-liying in 30 wild and rude condi-
ton-snecesstated her making confdant of
ouebody, so as to obtain help. She called
in the assistance of an honest, quiet colored
woman-Aunt Polly Fudge-who helped
her to some little comforts and did odd
chores for her. Al last she became sick and
confined to her bed. Polly faithfully nursed
her, and at length the lady died.
d. She told Polly her history, suppressing her
real name, and told her 10 get her buried in
the grave beside her darling boy, under the
oak tree that she had planted near the cave,
and that she was to be buried in her wedding
drcss-a beautiful white satin onc-and on
her head the wreath that she wore on the
occasion Of her marriage. Faithful Polly
attended to matters rs sue was told, and Mrs.
| Nevile-for that was the name the lady
called hersclf-garc to Polly all Der money,
which was 81 900, and Der old clothes.
SO rests within Il mile or two Of Ocala-in
one Of the hummelshine, last mortal re-
mains Of the poor broken. hearted widow.
The relatives and friends will never know
her end or her burisl.place.
So "we point moral and adorn Il tale"