The Southern herald., 1882-09-09
A Fathers Curses.
A SCENE UFoN A LOUISVILLE STREET


elderly gentleman of respectable appearance,
wearing long gray beard, with a sareuOrn
face was talking earnestly to a handsome,
fasbiOuabIy dressed woman. She, however,
seemed TO be trying to avoid him. Without
seeking to discover the subject Of the com
versa;ion, the reporter came near enough to
hear the old gentleman using toward her the
most abusive language. even prOnouncing
words which are never addressed to lady
in polite society, though to this circle both
parties belonged, to judge from their appear
anee. Tue msu's manner suddenly became
more excited, and be seemed 10 be frsnzied
Just then passing carriage came near them.
and the lady hailed the driver. got inside the
vehicle, and asked to be driven up Broadway.
seemingly much relieved at escaping from
her tOrmentOr. The old gentlemaus appear
aucs was not such as to indicate him as
good subject for au interview, aud The reporh
er allowed him 10 turn and walk back to
Sixth street without questioning him and
without an idea Of what could have induced
him 10 be so rude to a lady on the street.
The sequel Of this strange happening
came out yesterday, when the reporter be.
came possessed Of a secret well worth relatr
ing The reporter met lady acquaintance
on Fourth street yesterday afternoon, whom
be joined for a stroll for a square or two
While halIiOg on a corner for moment bis
eye rested upon the occupant Of carriage,
which had likewise paused for temporary
blockade In the street. and this occupant
was the lady who had figured 10 the singular
scene on Sixth aud Broadway few days
previous The reporter, as the carriage
moved on, mentioned to his companion what
he bad seen and heardf when be found that
she was acquainted With the history of The
lady in the carriage and OF her singular
prosecutor OaIy upon a solemn promise not
to reveal the names Of the parties--fOr oil
are connected with the best society 10 hp
city-did she consent to make the secret
} known.
You newspaper men, said the reporters
companion. are so unfeeliDg in publishing
peoples private history that I'm almost
afraid to reveal the facts in this case. But il
yOu do print the names it will only add tc
this lady's continued annoyance.
Then she told the story. Ten or twelve
years ago young lady aud young gentleman
met, and became mutually interested. They
bad both been the children of wealthy pa
rents, had enjoyed the best educational Op'
, pOrtuniiies, aud their prospective marriagt
was looked for as happy event The young
gentleman was already looked upon as sue
cessful man Of the world, and the lady o.
bis choice was regarded as fit companion
for so worthy husband, should they b.
married. She was fond of society and III
pleasures, while be was more Of retiring
disposition, aud it was only through BIZ
attucbneut to the young lady that be eve
entered into any gayeiy.
A short time before the proposed marriog
the young lady's parents gave su elpgan
i entertainment in honor Of her birthday, aot
her sfianced lover was invited: lie jonsl
in the dance at ber request, and was be
s escort 10 tie supper room. Here were sprea
6 choice viaDds, aud wine flowed in abundance
A toast was proposed 10 the health Of tb
!; ! fair hostess, The glasses were filled to thei
d bnms. But the hostess lover declined th
one offered him. saying that be never tool
wine. Just this one glass she pleaded
aud in such a fascinating way that to rvfus
was beyond his power. Having broken hi
habit Of temperance, it was not SO dificu
for him to be persuaded to drink the ne1
toast offered, and SO be went on until, at th
close Of the entertainment. be had 10 be cor
veyed home belpIessly intoxicated,
From that evening dated the downfall
the once moral and cultured youug'mau. Il
drank whenever asked to, and with such ba
effects that in less than aTear be was con
mon drunkard, The marriage engsgemet
cane to an end. and bis former betrOthed b.
came the bride Of another suitor. The SO
that was once the pride Of fond parents b
came disgrace TO their home, and the sol
rowing mother went to her grave 10 cons
queuce. The borsavsd father cursed the fa
temptress, who, he claimed, bad brought rui
and disgrace to bis family. This was yea
ago but the old man still lives, and vii
bowed head may often be seen upon Il
streets. And he never sees the lady 10 que
tion that be does not approach bsr and recS
the circumstances that have caused 80 mu,