The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-01-22

MANY wears ago, on trail, in the Sierra
Nevada mountains. Bearing in mind
that II is not fictitious efFusion, but
true narration Of facts, whichnow appears
in print for the first time, it is beyond
doubt one Of the most touching and sim
ply pathetic things ever written. Pro-
iessional novelists who study pathos as
fine art might read it with profit. Inc
man whocould resist such an appeal must
have had n heart Of stone;
THE LETTER.
WHEELING, Va, May the lst' lS9"
MyDEAR EnrS-Long and weary have
hacn The hours and days since last heard
tom von oh, why am thus neglected
ID t3snotten? What crime have l COM
aat o ,G"t YOU should thus abandon me,
tan.e,,cn and alone? But will not re-
;IsS az tho decree OF fate, although my
~ l"I bs over 80 hard. Could you but
lightly Judge OF the love that dwells in
this heart Of mine-that love pure ana
stainless as the driven snow-could you
hut feel that this love Is all thine own,
cIincing to you as the ivy tcndrils to the
g;ant oSk-could ysu feel this and cxpe-
SSience but one.half the love for me that
/ do for you, know that snouif scan
be happy in your presence. This horrid
suspense is killing me-dragging mo
slowly but surely to my grave. have
received but two letters from you within
the past year, and over six months has
passed away since you wrote the last.
0h, Eben, do write me aud let ME know
the worst. II l am forgotten and for
saken, II those oit.repeated VOWS Of yours
were only made to be brokeH-if you'do
not intend to return and make me your
wife, then tear away the vail and let me
know tho truth, should it pierce like q
dagger TO my heart. Q, have not u
right to ask you to fulfill those ott-re-
peated
PROMISES OF MARRIAGE
which only can make me an honest wo-
man, and give to our daughter her fath:.
er's name? Six long years have passed
away since our little Mary first sawlight
of day; and, oh! what years OF anguish
to me, deprived Of my child before it was
scarce an hour old, before | had time to
clasp it in one fond, embrace, or imprint
but q single kiss upon its check-then
bid it farewell forever. oh, what l SUI
fered during that confinement God only
knows, Now l am living in the same
town and street in which my daughter
resides, l see her daily playing with
other children and almost every day she
comes to hear me play on the "panny,"
as she calls my piano. How my heart
yearns TO clasp her to my bosom and tell
her that l am her mother, and that she is
my own dear, dear child. Could you but
know the anguish OF n mothers heart,
separated as am, from her child, seeing
her every day and notdaring to acknowl-
edge her, having hcr climb into my lap
and vino the unbidden tears from my
ewes and kissing them from my cheeks,
piIlowing her head upon my bosom and l
not
DARING TO EXPRESS A MOTHERS LOVE.
in retnrn-could you but feel the same
bI;uhtinC anguish that then feel, you
would, | think, pity and compassionate
mo and make me your lawful wife in the
,ivbt OF man, as am already in the sight
NJ Heaven and God. Now Ientreat you
n let me take our daughter and join you
in California. lam still young, not yet
tweuty-three years old. 10 be sure, sor-
row has somewhat faded my cheeks, but
YOUR presence and THAT Of my child would
soon make them rosy again. My fathers
estate is now settled, and am his only
heir, and have enough for us both during
our natural lives. With $4,000 you
could establish yourself in business that
in n short time would make you indie
pendent. Do, pray you, grant my re-
quest, and il you will not marry me,
then let ME be your mistress, as am in
the sight Of Heaven your vile.
The people TO whom you entrusted our
Mary have been unable to fathom the
mystery and find out the mother OF their
charge, nor do they even know the name
ofits father. They have often told me
the full circumstances OF their receiving
the child, the stipulation made between
YOU and them, and the punctual receipt
Of one hundred dollars per year Tor its
support from California; but can give no
clue TO her parentage. How often have l
been on the point Of confessing all, but
my oath to you will keep. have OF
late had strange, wild dreams. 1,dreamed
that was forgotten, and that you were
about to marry another, and that / should
never sec you again. Oh tell mc-say it's
nothing but dream, and that
YOU WILL FULFILL YOUR vows.
How much have suffered for you
how much endured. Now do, l entreat
YOU, let ME have my reward. Once more,
i beg Of you, let me come toyou, and make
me YOUR wife-yes, your mental and
will bless YOU and love you with all oil
awoman's fond and ardent love. A few
words in regard to our child, and then !
am done. She lisa very interesting child
she has the hair and eyes OF her father;
. her form is perfect; her features are per-
feet. and Mrs. S-told me one day, re.
sembled mine. How my heart throbbed
and il was with a super-human effort that
/ controlled my feelings sufficient to
avoid suspicion. She is most bcautl-
full childl Oh Eben, does not her fathers
heart sometimes yearn to see and clasp
his daughter in his arms? Have you
never a desire to sec your Mary, your
daughter? l know you must. She is
worthy OF an honest name and IN aeknowl,
edged father. Do write me on thcfeceip'
OF this and relative to my Borrowing
heart. Ihave had several offers OF mar
riage, but refused them all, for / am
yours and yours alone. Do write, and
pray and beg Of you to accede to my
wishes and your promises. From your nj
fectionate and loving, c.
SHE PLEADS IN VAIN.