Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-11-04
A WRECKED LIFE.

all the CITY papers o uoASc S"AeAAS -
rather strange story about man having
been arrested ON Sixth avenue where he
was walking in state utterly lncompat-
ible with the manners of modern civili-
zation. With no other dress but his long
unkempt hair hanging over his shout
ders, and gray beard falling over his
chest, he had rushed out, clad in this un-
seemingly attire, from one of the by
streets, CRYING at the top of his voice:
"Stellsl Stellar As might have been
expected, he was not allowed to pursue
his course further than block or SO,
when he ran into the sheltering
arms of one of the guardians of the pub
lie peace, who after administering to this
rebel child of nature a preparatory club
bling, hailed cab, pushed his patient in,
pulled down the blinds, and drove of
rapidly, before even the crowd OF idlers
who had already gathered, could real
ize what splendid opportunity for ex-
traordinary and utterly unprecedented
''fun" they had missed. Upon investlga-
ton, the man who had mistaken Sixth
avenue for theroughfare of the Hotten-
tot metropolis, proved to be a poor mani
&C who had lived for year in dark
closet forming part of a basement room
in west Forty-sixth street, IN which an
old ragman hadi his abode. Nobody
seemed exactly to know who he was or
where he came from. The only informa-
tioH which the papers gave was that he
had been sent from the city hospital, and
that in his former neighborhoOd he was
known as the ''mad Dutchman." No
~ 6on<ifIpofInn Nn11IH
be found.
Why did this story, which the next
day after its publication, was buried un-
der the waves of public lite in the great
city-that great, never. resting ocean OF
oblivion-why did this story impress
me so vividly7 knew not. 1t was GER
tainly not the mystery in which the
whole affair appeared to be shrouded
which attracted my attention. For what
are those petty mysteries Of every day
life, which crowd our daily papers, to a
professional journalistic tool of his
profession, an "item" to he disposed OF
as concisely as possible-nothlng more.
It was that name-Stella- the
poor idiot had shouted out into the street
in his madness, which sounded familiar
in my ear, and recalled in me long for
gotten memories of a once dear friend. It
was more than twelve years sgo-in Lon
don. Things and men were different
then, and looked somehow brighter and
more hopeful than now. Even the Lon
don fog assumed rosy hue, viewed by the
light of the hopes, the dreams and the
illusions of early youth. And as looked
back into this long past sunshine, there
arose in my memory face, which tor
me, was in some way associated with all
those hopes, dreams and illusions.
George Nordhoff was indeed, a bright
fellow. Though about ten years my SEN
ior, he was in character and disposition
certainly the JUNIOR of the two. He was
the son of one Of the Oldest families OF
Livcnia, and held at the time the Office
of Second Secretary OF the Russian ega-
tiur at London. never met man who
seemed so completely born on the sunny
side of life as Nordhof. Not very Ech
but just rich enough to indulge in his
artistic and social tastes, the universal ia.
vorite with both young and old of both
sexes, possessing an excellent physical
constitution, and endowed with that
precious quality of the mind which en-.
ables the man to always keep the COLDER
middle in sentiment, passion and enjoy
ment, Nordhoff was the type of the hap
by man. Somehow or other his happi
ness seemed contagious. All ill-humol
vanished at his approach, and looking q
his beaming, geod-natured face, it seem
ed impossible that such thing as tears
could exist in the world.
Poor Nordhoffl Ali this was true Il
the day when Stella crossed his path; sh'
was an actress, belonging to the French
opera-bouffe troupe which had given
lew performances in London. She wa
neither handsome nor clever, her singinl
was SO wretched that 1t could be compar
ed only with her acting, and yet. VIII
shall ever be able to fathom the myster,
of love2 Nordhoff fell madly in love wit
this second rate actress, ALI of suddel
he disappeared from the social circles ant
haunts we had been won't to visit togeth
er. Strange inconsistency of passion FL
actually seemed to be ashamed of tn
unworthiness of his feelings, for he stu
diously concealed even from me what j
was that engrossed all his time and enel
gy. At last the day came when all al
tempts at dissimulation were useless
Nordhof began even to neglect his off
cial duties, light as they were. The Am
bassador, Baron BrunnOw, had alread
on several occasions reprimanded hin
in friendly, fatherlY manner, and Nord
hoff had promised to amend, but in vain
the passion devouring him was stronger
even than his sense of honor.
At last the catastrophe came. On
Il
hoff standing at my bedside. He held ,
candle In his hand, and by its fickerin
light / could see that the appearance {
the man was utterly transformed. al
oafe was pale and worn, his dress in dii
order, his sunken eyes had an unsteady
searching, almost fierce look in them
like that of a hunted animal.
"Get up and help mer' he gasped.
must be off this morning to America, G
I'll be dead man tonight. Don't as
me any questions, If you still have an
friendship for me, but lend me the NOR
ey for the passage"
had indeed no questions to ask. Ri
face was answer enough to all. got u
and we went together to Zone of thos
benetactors of the human race Il
whom there is no difference between da
and night. when service can be rendere
at 100 per cent. On leaving the money
lender, Nordhoff positively refused |
let me accompany him further. We too
leave Of each other on the street.
Since then never heard any more {
Nordhof. His disappearance produce
something of sensation, and was spoke
Of and commented upon a good deal.
due time, however, the whole story Wa
fargotten, and even !, it must be owDet
scarcely thought of Nordhoff and b
miserable lose, zDtil the name of Stelll
which found in the story OF the po,
maniac, revived in Inc old recollection
Could it be possible, thought, that
had come to thisg
At all events resolved to investiga
the matter. At the station house Il