National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-12
ALMOST A ROMANCE,

Truth Stranger Than Fiction.
Many Of the most startling pen pictures in the
rOmances Of the past ages and novels Of the pres
ent have for the most striking and prominent
figure a person who had been mourned for as
dead, ard whose memory, though cherished and
entwined with many fond recOlIectiOns, though
seldom spoken, yet often presented to the minds
of fond relatives, had become in the deep vista of
the past years reality lost forever to the vision
Of the eye in this life and only to be hoped for in
the great hereafter.
Such was the case in a private family who have
resided for several years IN the First ward OF this
city. A young man gifted with many talents, re-
SIDED with his widowed aunt and her younger sis
tel, and was looked upon as q son. his mother hay-
ing died in his infancy, and his father French
man by birth, Monsieur LIE Tort, whose profess
been reported as dead in a distant part of Europe
some twenty years ago. The aunts then were re-
siding in the city Of London, and having friends
in the United States came to this country,
where they have since resided, firmly be-
heyiDg that their nephew was really an
orphan, in which belief he OF course partook
II was lately announced in this city that Mon
sieur lie Tort, an accomplished prestidigitateur,
would on certain evening make his appearance
at one Of our theatres. The announcement, full Of
many attractions and extraordinary feats in his
art, brought, Of course, q large audience, and
among the rest our friend, young Mr.. Greene,
tWho is known by his aunt's name.) He had,
however, been Ill for some time, and his aunt
endeayOred to persuade him not to venture out
fearing relapse; but he had determined to 90,
and he did. He witnessed the performance, and
he was drawn by some unaccOuntable feeling to
consider the performer as person that was not q
stranger to him. but one in whom he had deep
interest, somewhat akin to person he had met
before in long past years or seen in a dream. He
looked again and again to the name appearing In
the programme, that was somewhat similar to the
name OF his parent. The age, too, was about the
same, and the profession Identical. With these
thoughts in his mind he returned to his home and
communicated them to his relations, who par
took soon Of his interest, and it was re-
solved to seek the stranger on the next
day. and ask for an interview TO satisfy their
anxiety. The anXiOusly looked for morning
at length came, and the parties sought
onEeur T. at bis hotel hut he had gone to the re-
hCaTEsl. At the theatre they presented themselves
al afeI some hesitation the part OF sieur no
consented to an interview, which he had declined
at flrst on the ground that he b i'd no acquaint-
him the young mans aunts at once recognized
their lOng-lOsJ brCtherin-laW and the father Of
their nephew, and he them, when mutual eXpIa-
nations followed. They had heard positively OF his
death in Europe, and afterwards when he re-
turned to London he was informed that they had
all gone TO America; that on arriving in New Or
leans they we're struck down by yellow fever aud
all persisted together; so he wandered over and
though always in the midst of company and the
attraction OF the gay multitude. At length he
would visit the new world and, Of course, should
see the capital in its gayest season. Here the
denouement: father finds his lOng-lOst son
that son father and the aunts a brother, dear
TO them as the loving husband OF dear sister, to
whose memory he has ever been true, for he never
remarked. Monsieur LIE Tort will return here In
few weeks to rejOin his relatives and make ar
rangements for having his son near him, who
cannot. however, think Of leaving his aunts who
have been SO fond Of him.
Verify one may say with Hamlet
There are more things in heaven and on earth
than are dreamt Of in thy philosophy, HOratiO."