The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-02-15

This dreadful secret has been
the bane Of my young life," contin-
ued the hapless girl. "Thc maidens
of my own age were happy in the
consciousness that they bad no
cause to blush for their parents,
while /, more blest-or rather ours
ed--in this worlds goods, blushed
for one and execrated the other. 1t
was well that he died before really
could comprehend my unenviable
position. ! would have denounced
the desecrating robber."
"Here her eyes flashed lightning
sparks; she evidently meant what
she said.
"The unhappy mother lay with
her face buried in the cushion Of the
sofa on which she lay, moaning as
if in torments.
snow that have begun the task
Of unburthening my soul / shall fin
ish it" resumed the poor creature,
"for hereafter l shall say no more
on this most disagreeable subject.
My father was q handsome quad
room, and during the prevalence of
that dreadful scourge, yellow fever,
in New Orleans, many years ago, he
resided in that doomed city.
"He volunteered as a nurse in :.
private capacity, uncontrolled b {.
any organization, and this enable,t /
him to commit the atrocious crimes
that made him infamous among his
fellow-creatures.
whether he faithfully perform
ed his duty as u nurse was not ques-
toned, but that he grossly robbed
the sick and dying of their valua-
bles and money was an undisguised
fact. In word, his stealings were
more expensive than any one dreamt
Of, but enough was known to stamp
hin, with everlasting infamy.
He fled from the wrath of his
outraged fellow-citizens and came
nortl,, but took good care to bring
his ill gottep gains with him.
MY mother met him in New
York. and though his skin and feat
ures h-trayed his origin, she was
lured by his display OF wealth and
married him.
Gan YOU now wonder that my
whole life has'been embittered by
this one reprehensible act of INV
mother?
81 will It say that she knew how
his wealth nad been acquired per-
haps she lid not know, but she
knew of hie African blood. and for
that act l shall never forgive her
while l live. l have been proud of
my beauty, NV intellect, and accom-
plishments before l was aware Of
the dark stain that shrouded my
young life. After that l became
reckless and wretched. l cared not
for the future, and was perfectly in
different as TO the consequences
should my inherited desires and
tastes ever lead me into difficulties,
fo- / believed then, rs Ibelieve still,
that blood will tell, and what is
bred in the bone will come out in
the flesh"
''As she uttered the conclusive
words, she swept US a graceful bow,
and left the room.
"You may imagine our sensa-
tions. they cannot be described in
words.
"When the door closed on her. the
unhappy mother arose to a sitting
posture, and gazed at US with such
a look of unutterable misery that
my heart bled for her
Gentlemen" spoke the crushed
woman at last. leave me to my
wretchedness." Then to Mr.. Gillon:
"Send in your bill tomorrow, and
it shall be paid in full"
"We left the house with sadden-
ed hearts. and asked each other
"What will be the end of this ?'l
Alas we learned in the morning.
A long streamer of Grape hung from
the door. Miriam Griswold was no
more she had taken her own lif..
by means of prussic acid during the
night.
"Mrs. Griswold buried her daugh- |
ter, and after paving Mr.. Gillon his
bill left fer parts unknown