The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-10
TOM MOORE'S BESSY.
THE STORY OF HIS CoURTsHIP AND SINGULAR
MARRIAGE.

MARRIAGE.
From the "Last Leaves" Of the Journal OF Ju-
liam Charles Young, in Appleton's Journal.l
Az the name of Moore and his Bessy are on
the tapis. l must take the opportunity OF
mentioning the following circumstances:
Wnen living in Dublin, where Moore was the
observed of all observers, he was engaged In
some private theatricals, when he made &C.
ouaintance with Miss Bessy Dyke. ballet
dancer on the Dublin boards. Moore was
smitten with her at first sight, and having &C.
cess to the green room, used to seek her out
and converse with her, whenever he could,
behind the scenes. One night, as the cele-
brated Sir Philip Champion, one OF the ablest
medical men that ever lived, was just drop
ping off to sleep after day OF great fatigue,
he heard violent and agitated knocking at
his bedroom door. "COme in, he SAID, and
voice which he at once recognized as that
of his friend Moore spoke through the halt
opened door: "Phil, Phil, for Gods sake, get
up and come with me without moments
delay" :.
Sir Philip jumped up, hurried on his
clothes and went out with him. 1t was about
Q o'clock on q bright summers morning, and
the streets were entirely deserted. As they
walked rapidly together, Champion in vain
appealed to Moore to tell him what was the
matter. The only reply he received was,
you'll see soon enough. Come along QUICK,
for Gods sake! There's not an instant to be
lost |" They hurried down Dawson street,
reached Suffolk street, and about half way up
that street, laying PROSTATE on the flags, Sir
Philip beheld to his amazement what appear
ed to be the body of a young woman. 80 1t
proved to be-not dead body, but an in-
sensible one, and bleeding copiously from the
head, which was severely injured. On
going up to it they found an old woman
standing by it and watching over it. Sir
Philip Champion, with Moores assistance,
lifted the body from the ground and carried it
no stairs to her rooms, which were on the
| first floor
After considerable time she was brought
back to consciousness by the skill of the
great practitioner. The ugly wound which
She had received did not prove SO serious as
had been feared so that, after while, she
gradually recovered, and (here is the curious
part of the story the heroine of this little
drama lived years and years after, and lived to
become "the darling Bessy of Tom Moore.
1t would seem that on the night in question
Moore had accompanied her to her lodgings
| in Suffolk street, and while there made use OF
the opportunity to express his feelings toward
her passionately. If she was blamable for
having admitted man to her apartments at
| Sucn an 0OuF, IL uuSt Dc JULIO Ia uAuu 0A"'
she was really and truly pure minded, I'M
sophisticated girl, who, though fattered-
naturally enough-by the undisguised ad
miration of man SO sought after and dlstin.
guished as the modern Auacreon, yet had
been treated by him invariably with such re-
spect as to inspire her with confidence.
However, his advances were now made SO
warmly that his ardor got the better OF his
prudence, and he rushed forward toward her,
hoping to grasp her in his arms. When she
perceived his intentions she said to him IN
the most decided tone, "Stop, sir Ii you
come one step nearer to me l will throw my
self out of that window" pointing to one
that on account of the sultriness OF the
weather, had been left wide open. Not mag
lining her to be in earnest, he continued t.
approach her, and in one moment she sprane
out of the window and fell on the pavement
bruised, mutilated and insensible. His ter
ror, CONSERVATION and self-reproach may be
Imagined. All in the house were in bed
The watchmen, as was their won't, were
asleep in their boxes, and there was Moore
standing appalled, and helpless by the bleed
ing body of his love- in the silent, solitary
street. on that memorable summers morn
At length he succeeded in arousing the ole
woman servant of the house, and consignlne
the young lady to her charge, he ran of for
his friend Champion.
The rest of the story is easily told. Moore
was captivated by the heroic conduct OF MI
virtuous Bessy, and the blind passion which
he has conceived for her was converted int
profoundest admiration. He made her al
honest, heartfelt proposal of marriage t.
which at last she yielded with good grace.