The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-21


ysis-the result Of oyerwork-Lady Hamll-
ton devoted herself entirely to hlm-Wrote
for him, read for him, and saved him III
every way.
NV Saturaay--AimOst an Eiopcment-
Last Saturday took stroll i'll the Cen
trail Park in the afternoon. l was feeling
blue and disheartened. The world did not
seem to 90 right with me, with scarcely 4
human being in all the big city with whom
! could share my troubles. l listened to 4
few of the pieces played by the band, and
then amused myself with watching the
laughing, happy faces OF the children as the
nurses or mothers took them out on the still
waters, when l noticed young gentleman
and Young lady taking boat by themselves.
T thought they were perhaps some young
married couple just starting out on the
tourney across the great lake OF life. L
started back on my lonesome way,
and after walking some distance l took
a Broadway car, and to my astonlsh-
ment found there the young lady and young
gentleman I had seen in the boat at Central
Park. | noticed that the young lady was
very quiet and sad, but the young man was
speaking with animation, and evidently
irving to persuade her to 90 with him OF 90
something that her better Indignant was
ayersc to. Suddenly the light struck upon
her face, and something about the features
made me think of certain gentleman whom
I had frequently seen, though unacquainted
with him. / felt almost sure that the family
were at their country seat, and the city man
sion closed. II this were the daughter, how
came it about that she was in town ut this
time OF night? felt unhappy and uneasy,
and frequently said to myself what
must l do, for was certain that some
thing was wrong. AS we neared
the end of our route, I caught these stray
words, "They will certainly forgive us
when it is all over" / had only moment
before they were to leave me, and OH sud-
den impulse raised my hat, and bowling to
the ysung lady, said, 81 think this must be
the daughter Of Mr.. -, you resemble him
so much" Whether it was something in
the tones Of my voice or the recollection OF
her mother and father brought her back
from her dream do not know; but, at any
rate, with look OF infinite pitifulness and
sweetness, she cried out, "Oh, sir, don't
know who you are, but for his sake take care
of me-" ! Immediately offered her my
arm, and stopped the car and babe the young
man follow me, which he did without q
word. The tale was soon told, and it was
nothing but the old, old story. The young
lady had met the gentleman by appointment
on the cars, having made the excuse that she
was was going to spend the day with a
friend residing not very far from
their place, and he was trying 10 in
duce her to elope with him. He had
been visitor at their house, but many
reasons, personal and otherwise, made the
idea Of his paying her attention seriously or
1.,,;t 20 he <tt,oSfinn With
out going into detail, suffice it to say that
marriage was and is an utter impossibility,
but the young lady did not know this; all
she did know was that her father and ,no-
Their did not like the young man, and had
spoken to her in reference to him. Here
was nice predicament to be in. a beauti-
full young lady under my protection at half
past at night; not place could take her
except hotel, and she just on the point Of
fainting. Theyoung man had mySteriously
disappeared while all this was happening. [
was ut NV Wits ends lest something should
get out to the public and cause scandal.
FINALLY called carriage, and, placing her
in il. ordered the driver to go to the tele-
graph office, and wired In my own name
to the father to come Immediately to the city
and bring the mother with him. For
tunately, they were Just getting little I'M
easy about the daughter, and though know
ing me only by name, not moment was
lost and they reached the 10 O'Clock train.
Not word was said about the daughter in
my telegram, but their suspicious were
awakened. After leaving the telegraph Of
fee told the driver to hurry to the resi-
dence OF the gentleman in - avenue,
where the young lady thought an elderly
servant was in charge for the summer.
did the best could to make her keep up
her courage, but no sooner had we started
for the house than found the revulsion of
feeling too much, and that fainting spell
was to be the result. Here was another pre-.
dicament, but finally we reached the house,
and made no explanation to the servant
except that Miss - had been taken sick,
and that her father and mother would be In
town by midnight. ] made the young LADY
promise secrecy until the old folks came,
and then started for the station to meet
them on arrival. When they arrived IN,
treduced myself to them, as | recognized
them, though they did not know me. But
the dear mothers heart was almost break
ing, as she family asked, els she safe =, LOT
her instinct told her why had telegraphed,
and when said " oh, yes, Madam, entirely
So" it was Us il an angel had touched her
face with happiness. hurried them to
carriage without word, but once inside
gave brief explanation OF the matter.
When the carriage stopped ut the house the
daughter ran down the steps, and was in a
second nestled in the loving arms. Need I
say that all was forgiven in quicker time
than it takes to tell it. All my excuses were
OF no avail, so far as I was concerned, and
the father and mother compelled me to 90
into the house. 1t was only by promising
that would be with them on the next day
that was allowed to go at all. So was
taken into the inmost hearts OF these three
poor !, that was wondering only few
hours ago who was my friend in that great
city OF New York, The little runaway
already calls me Uncle, and father and mo-
ther have pade me promise that I will