The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-02-02

quick ears and gOSSlp1ng tongues, fol
the Doctors demeanor when occasion
ally off his guard had already set the
parlor maid to talking. It was decided
by the newly-married pair that they
should continue to occupy separate
apartments and that the bride should
be addressed in her fathers presence as
"Miss Miriam,n her recognized name in
the household. The life of lie COM
menced the following day and the two
roles of this realistic drama were well
sustained for a period extending oyer
three years, during which the health OF
the old mans daughter declined slowly
but surely. Her withdrawal from soci-
ETY. was understood in this, and the Sc
cret of her marriage was in possession
of but four living souls who never be-
trayed the trust.
The revelation came after the death OF
Mrs. North few weeks since. The
whispered impression gathered from
kitchen gossip which fell upon the pail
bearers ear set him in an Investigating
mood and he had not very far to go to
obtain clue. The Post Dispatch legal
column announced grant of letters OF
administration to the executor of
.'Nancy NJ. Morrill, and lower
down the record of the probate OF
the will was made. The testatrix
had devised all her property to her hus-
band, DR.. J. H. North A few days be-
fore this conirmatory evidence had de-
veloped letter was received by Mr..
Robbins from the pall-bearer and dis
carded lover, informing him that his
daughter had been married and had
lived three years beneath his roof in that
relation without his knowledge. The
old man was in condition Bordering
upon frenzy, but he pronounced the
whole thing a lie and spoke of the writer
as scoundrel. When Mr.. O'Rourke,
the executor named in his daughter
will, called upon him; the letter was pro-
duced, and the colloquy that ensued was
somewhat as follows:
Mr.. R.-What do you think of q
scoundrel who would write such letter
as thatp
Executor has stated what is true.
Mr.. R.-Do you mean to say that my
Nancy was married to DIR. Northp Do
you believe itP What proof have your
Executor-The best proof in the world
take the will for one thing.
Mr.. R-O! I don't care for that. It
isnot worth the paper upon which it is
written
Executor Would marriage certifi-
cate by a minister of the Presbyterian
Church be satisfactory evidence.
Mr.. R.-That, Of course, would be
conclusive. Have you got itp
Executor 1t can be produced.
Mr.. R.-Well, that settles it. To
think that all this should have gone on
right under my nose and knew nothing
about it! It did seem remarkable,
though, when the doctor left the house
the other day. He could not stay to hear
me undeceived in this matter. I shall
put in claim for funeral expenses
against the state.
The executor satisfied the fathers
claim for his daughters funeral by a
check for the amount right away, and
the inscription over the vault will be
altered from the maiden to the marriage
name in few days.
MIR. Robbins amassed the greater por..
ton of his wealth at New Madrid and
the neighborhood, where he has son
now living. He held at one time mort
cages for over ten miles of land. He
was in earlier days teacher and did not
thrive much at that, but gave his atten-
ton to business at New Madrid. The
old gentleman enjoys parlor game OF
euchre occasionally, and frequently took
hand with his daughter and son-in-law
OF a winter evening. He has recovered
from the first emotions of surprise and
indignation at the long concealed mar
rage, and now remarks philosophically
that "what is done cannot be undone. !"
st. Louis POST Dispatch.