The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-08-25
A FATHER,S CURSES
UPON. a FAIR WOMAN WHO LED BIS son TO
RUIN.

Only the other day, as reporter OF the
Commercial strolIing out Sixth street nea-sd
Broadway, a most singular scene presented
itself to him. An elderly gentleman OF re-
spectacle appearance, wearing long gray
1 beard with care worn face was talking
earnestly with q handsome, fashi1uably
dressed woman. She, however, seemed TO be
trying 10 avoid him Without seeking 30
discover the subject OF the conversation the
reporter came near enough % hear the old
gentleman using toward her the most abusive
language even uronouucing words which
are never addressed t0 a lady In po1i-e g socie-
ty, though TO this circle both parties ualong-
ed, to judge from their appearance. The
mans mauHer suddenly became NOR excited
and he seemed to be frenzied. Just t-sn
passing carriage came near them. and the
lady hailed the driver got inside the vehicle.
aud asked 20 De driven up Broadway, seem
ingly much relieved at escaping from her
tormentor. The old gentleman's appear
ance was not such as to Indicate him az q
good subject for an interview, and she re-
porter allowed him 70 turn aud walk back 90
Sixth street without questioning him and
without an idea Of what could have induced
him to be so rude to a lady on the street
The sequel Of this strange happening came
ont yesterday when the reporter became
possessed Of secret well worth relating
The reporter met lady acquaintance on
Fourth street yesterday afternoon, whom he
joined for q stroll for a square OF two
While haltug on q corner for moment his
eye rested upon the occupant Of carriage
which had likewise paused for q temporary
blockade i'm the street; and this occupant
was the lady who had figured in the singular
scene at Sixth and Broadway few days pre-
yious. The reporter, as the carriage moved
on, mentioned TO his companion what he lad
seen and heard, when he found that she was
acquainted with the history Of .he lady in
the carriage and Of her singular prosecutor
Only upon a solemn promise not TO use the
names of the paTties-foT ali are connected
with the best society iu the city-did she con
sent to make the secret known.
'sYou newspaper men, said the reporters
companion, "ale so unfeeling in publishing
peoples private history that 1 am almost
afraid to reveal the facts in this case. But
if YOU print their names it will only add to
this lady's continued annoyance"
Then she told the story. Ten or twelve
years ago a young lady and young gentle
man in Louisville society ulet and became
unuaturaIy interested. They had both been
the children of wealthy parents, and enjoyed
the best educational advantages and OppOr-
tunities. and their prospective marriage was
looked for to be a babpy event. The -Ouug
gentleman was already looked upon as
successful man Of the world, and the lady OF
his choice was regarded as q ut companion
for so worthy a husband, should they be
married. She was fond II society and its
pleasures. while lie was more Of retiring
disposition, and it was only through his at
tachment to the young lady that be ever en-
tered into any Eaiety.
a short tine before the proposed marriage
the young lady's parents gave an elegant en-
tertainment i'm honor of her birthday, and
her afianced lover was invited He joined
in the dance at her request and was her es-
cort to the supper room. Here were spread
choice viands. and wines flowed in album
dance a toast was proposed % the health
of the fair hostess. The glasses were filed
to their brims But the hostess lover de-
cIined the one offered him, saying that he
never took wine. Just this one glass, % she
pleaded. and IN such a fascinating manner
that to refuse was beyond his power Hav-
ing broken his habit of temperance It was
not so diSicUlt for him 70 be pursuade5 to
drink the next toast offered, and so he went
on until, at the close of the entertainment,
he had to be conveyed home helpless v fntox.
icatad.
From that evening dated the downfall Of
. the once moral and cultured young man
He drank whenever asked to, and with such
. bad effects that iu less than a year be was
common drunkard. The marriage engage
ment came to an end. and his former be-
! trothed became the bride of another suitor.
/ The son that was once the pride OF fond pa
4 rents became a disgrace to their home, and
/ the sorrowlng mother went to her grave ia
4 consequence.
/ The bereaved father cursed the fair temp
! tress. who he claimed, had brought ruin
/ and disgrace TO his family. This was years
ago; but tie old man still lives, and with
/ bowed head may often be seen upon the
streets. And he never sees the lady in ques-
J tion that he does not approach her and recall
! the circumstances that have caused him so
much pain and sorrow. 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
+ had witnessed a few days before, his infor-
mant said. was bat a repetition OF what had
/ occurred now and then for years.
The ruined son stiu lives, but in a distant
. city, where he leads a degraded life. There
are those who say that the broken-hearted
/ father is insane. but there are not many who
/ know his secret-LoujsCiIl Commercial