Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-03-16
MisGELLAME Gus.
A VIRGINIA ROMANCE.
From the oeala lFloridal Rppner.

member of one of the oldest and best families
in that State. She was the reigning belle in
the society in which she moved In the
course of time she married young lawyer of
the highest responsibility both as regards
talents and family connections. In due time
they had son born to them. They were
very happy.
TIE lawyer in the course of his business
operations became in some way or another
entangled in quarrel with brother lawyer.
A duel was the result. In the contest the
husband was killed. The wife became in-
consulate. A severe fit of sickness followed.
When she recovered, the only thing to lavish
the whole affection of heart upon was her
con. Her entire attention was given TO him.
After year or two she vas surrounded by
an immense number of admirers, and several
made proposals of marriage. She declined
them all. Her heart was true to her first
and only love. AT last, many of her admirers
importuned her to marry them-offeriDg 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 atTeo-
tious-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 tho only
means of obtaining anything like quietness
but even letters would annoy her. So she
determined to get out Of the way of society
entirely and seclude herself in some retired
spot. She did uot care where sho went if
she could only obtain quiotness and enjoy tho
pleasure of training and cultivatinw iier boy's
mind and have his exclusive society. lie
was noble little fellow
Well, after looking about for place whero
absolute scclusion could be obtained and bo
unknown, and the climate would be con genial,
she determined upon Florida So che re.
moved to retired spot about mile or two
from Ocaln, where she found small hut al
ready built and suited to her requirements.
She purchased it, and there lived for sOme
time, where, unhappily. her boy was taken
sick and Cied, and was buried near the house.
She planted au acorn near by that was found
after his death in his pocket. 1t has now
grown to be n large tree.
Alone in the world, without n single soul
to converse with, she fretted aud piued her
life away, her only consolation being in her
communings with her Maker. She had no
domestic servant to wait upon her, but cooked
her own meals, dc.
Occasionally she would sec persons appronch
her little home, and, not wishing to be seen,
she would retire to a 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
sbanty.
One day che walked into ocnla for tho
purpose Of obtaining some medicine at tho
drugstore. She was closely hooded aDd dis
guised. There was a gentleman in the store,
however, whom she recognized as an old
suitor. She Immediately left, and was lost
to sight quickly. The gentleman saw tho
eyes; he thought ne knew them-their in.
fuence in the past had kept him awake many
a night. He was at first staggered with the
thought that it might be her-indeed, he was
almost paralyzed, for hc was still single, and
remained so for her sake. When he recov>
cred his senses sufficiently to know what he
was about he turned into the street 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 ali
around. but his efforts were fruitiess. At last
he had to give up the persuit. 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 YVES giving way;
that the hardships she had to undergo-IiviDg
iD SO wild and rude a conditiOn-neccssitated
her making q c"nidant Of somebody, SO as TO
obtain help. She called in the assistance Of
an honest. quiet coiored woman-Aunt Polly
Fudge-who helped her to some little com,
forts aud did odd chores for her. At last
she became sick and confined to her bed -
Polly faithfully uursed her, and at length the
lady died
She told Polly her history, suppressing hcr
real name. and told her TO get her buried 10
the grave beside her darling boy, under the
oak tree that she had planted resr the cave,
and that she was to be buried in her wedding
dress-a beautiful white satin one-and ON
her head the wreath that she wore IN the
occasion Of her marriage. Faithfully Polly
attended to matters as she was told and Mrs.
Neville-for that was the name the lady cal
led herself-gave to Polly al her money,
which was $4,000, and her old clothes.
So rests within mile or two Of Ocsla-in
one Of the hammocks-the last mortal re-
mains of the poor br0ken-hearted widow
The relatives and friends will never know her
end or her burial place.
So sGUe mint a moral and .dor.o = a.I.y3