Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-07-23
4 STRANGE STORY.
The Unfortunate Infatuation Which q
Memphis Lady Entertains fer
Well-KBown Gentleman.
In Spite of all Repulses and Discourage.
ments She is Willing to Die,
Loving Him Still.

The sirangest thing in the world is 3
| woman,s 1Dfatuation for man. 1t does moi
necessarily require encouragement. Il may
be rehufied and argued with, but it grows on
apsce, feeding upon itself. 1t is impossible
TO account for. What is this subtle msgnet-
lam that makes woman forget her dignity
| and love the man who never can return her
love? Why this persistency in hopeless
| cause? L. 1t something within her that
| looks beyond unfavorable surroundings and
a conviction that it will be all right at some
| time? Whatever it may be, it is futile to
| speculate upon. Every day we see women
wAo have remained faithful to their ideals,
disappointed ones patiently waiting for time
to correct all mistakes, and poor infatuated
creatures that hope against hope. How
many such mistakes are made in the world J
AN INFATUATED LADY.
These moral speculations are occasioned by
the contemplation of a strsnge case Of infatu-
ation-snd yet not strange when we consider
Soman's heart-that developed yesterday.
Considerable excitement was occasioned on
Carolina street, Fort Pickering, by the report
that Mrs. Dora j. Sharp, widow of the late
Judge j. L. Sharp, had tried to commit sui
eide by poisoning. Investigation showed the
report to haze been true. The cause Of the
attempt lies in that part of nature that is
stranger than fiction. Mrs. Sharp has been
and from it has resulted suffering TO herself
and great pain to a worthy gentleman,
Captain Robert NJ. Leech. About two years
ago she met this gentleman casually and
FELL VERY MUCH IN LOVE
with him. He, however, did not recipro-
cate; in fact, for some time ne was totally
unaware of her feeling toward him. He was
very much surprised when he began to re-
ceive tender letters from her. These he
always returned, and, in fact. did every thing
he could TO discourage her. He conceived
the idea that perhaps she was not Of sound |
mind. short time ago he happened to go
Sharp cav him. Shortly afterward she sent |
for him 10 come 10 her. She reproached |
him bitterly for going with the lady to
church. He didn't know what 10 make of
it, she asked him TO look over her deeds |.
and other papers and if her estate was
all right.
any dear madam said he, ''if were to
body else, and / wouldn't know any more
about il when i was through than did
II first You ought TO get your lawyer to
your estate"
SHE WANTED LOVE.
This did not suit her at all. She Santed
him TO examine the papers. Thinking that |
perhaps she was pushed for mon.y, be
'fered to lend her any amount she
eeded. She said she did not need
my money. she wanted his love, and
be wanted him to marry her. Sae had
'lenty of property. AT the word m;rry, be /
bought it time TO leave. This wasnot the
nd Of it. She sent him costly present., which
e returned. She gave his little girl hand
Dme diamond pin, which he bad returned.
lrs. Sharp thought some one was nterfer-
,g In the matter, and was keeping her let
RS and presents from him. Day be ore yes
rday she met him on the street, ard again
loaded with him. He told her, as gently as
e could, that she ought not 10 go on that
ay. She said she
WAS GOING TO KILL HERSELF. Il
He told her. laughingly, not to do iast, as
coffin would cost 800 and it was 90 ex-
,nsive. He did not suppose for a moment
at she would do it. She said that hewould |
e she loved him better than he thought; 4
e had made her will in his favor ant asked
m to take care OF her sister. Yesterday he
was
VERY MUCH HoRRIFIED
len the news was brought to him that she
d really attempted TO take her life The
air is very lamentsble. Captain Leech is
ry much distressed about the matter, and
afraid lest his position should be niscon-
ued, but he has acted, it seems, most 1
morally throughout. He says he enter
ms the highest respect for Mira. Sharp;
1t she is a lady in every sense of the word,
that she Is monomaniac this sub
-24.s-sAP%~s.. .--i4 .i--t-a -hia hapnr hi--t
atoms with her had been only those above
forth.
.rom last accounts Mrs. Sharp was i'm
wing, and was expected to recover.