The Osceola times., 1882-09-09
A EATHER'o CURSES
Upon . Fair Woman who Led HIS
Son to Ruin-A Scene upon
Louisville Street.
Louisville Commercial.


Louisville Commercial
Only the other day, as a reporter Of
the Commercial, strolling ont Sixth street
near Broadway, most singular scene
presented itself TO him. An elderly gem
tleman of respectable appearance, wear
ing 8 long gray beard with a careworn
face was talking earnestly to handsome,
acknowledgement woman. She, how
ever, seemed to be trying 10 avoid him.
Without seeking to discover the subject
OF the conversation the reporter came
near enough to hear the old gentleman
using toward her the most abusive Ian
guage, even pronOuncing words which
are never addressed TO lady in polite
society, though TO this circle both parties
belonged. TO judge from their appearance
The mans manner suddenly became
more excited, and he seemed to be fren-
zied. just then a 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 tor
mentor. The old gentleman's appear
ance was not such as 10 indicate him as
good subject for an interview, and the
reporter allowed him to turn and walk
back to Sixth street without questioning
him and without an idea of what could
have induced him to be 80 rude to a lady
on the street,
The sequal of this strange happening
came out yesterday, when the reporter
| became possessed of a secret well worth
relating. The reporter met lady ac-
quaintance on Fourth street yesterday
afternoon. whom he Joined for a stroll
for a square or two. While halting on a
corner for moment his eye rested upon
| the occupant Of carriage, which had
| likewise paused for temporary blockade
| in the street; and this occj punt was the
lady who had figured in the singular
scene on Sixth and Broadway, few days
previous. The reporter, as the carriage
moved on, mentioned to his companion
what he had seen and heard, when he
found that she was acquainted with the
history Of the lady in the carriage and Of
her singular prosecutor. Only upon
solemn promise not to reveal the names
Of the parties-for all are connected with
the best society in the city-did she con-
sent to make the secret known.
"You newspaper men," said the re-
porter's companion, ''are so unfeeling in
publishing peoples private history that
Pm almost afraid to reveal the facts in
this case. But if you do print the names
II will only add to this lady's continued
annoyance"
Then she told the story. Ten or twelve
years ago young lady and young gen
tleman met, and became mutually inter-
ested. They had both been the children
of wealthy parents, had enjoyed the best
educational opportunities, and their pro-
spective marriage was looked for az a
happy event. The young gentleman was
already looked upon az a successful man
Of the world, and the lady Of his choice
was regarded as a fit companion for so
worthy husband, should they be mar
ried She was fond of society and its
pleasures, while he was more CT retir-
ing disposition, and it was only through
his attachment to the young lady that he
ever entered into any gayety.
A short time before the proposed mar
riage the young lady's parents gave an
elegant entertainment in honor of her
birthday, and her aflianced lover was
invited. He joined in the dance at her
request, and was her escort TO the supper
room. Here were spread choice viands
and wine flowed in abundance. A toast
was proposed TO the health of the fair
hostess. The glasses were filed to their
brims. But the hostess lover declined
the one offered him, saying that he never
took wine. "Just this one glass" she
pleaded, and in such fascinating way
that TO refuse was beyond his power.
Having broken his habit of Temperance,
it was not so difficult for him to be per-
suaded to drink the next toast offered,
and so he went on until, at the close Of
the entertainment, he had to be con-
veyed home helplessly intoxicated.
From that evening dated the downfall
of the once moral and cultured young
man. He drank when ever asked to,
and with such bad effects that in less
than year he was common drunkark.
The marriage engagement came to an
end, and his former betrothed became
the bride Of another suitor. The son
that was once the pride of fond parents
became disgrace to their home, and the
sorrowinc mother went to her grave in
consequence.
The bereaved father cursed the fair
temptress, who, he claimed, had brought
ruin and disgrace to his family. This
was years ago; but the old man still live )
and with bowed head may often be seen
upon the streets. And he never sees the
lady in question that he does not ap-
proach her and recall the circumstance.
that have caused so much pain and sor-
row. The life of the lady has been made
more miserable than can be described.
She has seldom ventured upon the street
alone, and the scene the reporter wit
messed a few days before, his informant
said, was but repetition Of what had
occurred now and then for years.
The ruined son still lives, but in q dis
tant city, where he leads degraded life.
There are those who say that the broken
hearted father is insane, but there are
not many who know his secret.