Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-07-10
A WESTERN ROMANCE.
How Gratitude Mas Shown by a
Wealthy Lady.
An Old Gentlemen Living on the Char
ity Of the World Found by
Rich Adopted Daughter
and Taken Home.

ArCHlsoN, KAs., July 9.-Those who hap.
pened to be at the Union depot this morn.
ing probably noticed an old and white
haired man who supported his feeble body
with pair OF rustic crutches. A lovely
blonde woman, richly attired and hand.
some beyond description, assisted the old
man from the train TO the waiting room,
and her marked respect toward him at.
tracted unusual attention. A Globe young
man approached the feeble traveller and
asked him which way he was travelling. In
the meantime the lady went to an adjacent
ticket Office to ascertain rates, etc, while
our young man found the old gentleman a
willing and fluent conyersationalist. Al.
ter informing the reporter that his name
was Sylvester G. Abernethy, he was asked
who the lady accompanying him was at
is long story" he said, "hut II you have
time will relate her history in connection
with my own" The reporter agreed, and
the old man gave his
Entire RistoPy.
which is briefly given below: Sylvester
Abernethy was once a moderately Iich
man in Northern Indiana town, possessed
Of family Of three sons and one adopted
daughter. The girl was little wall which
he had adopted from "A founding asylum
at indianapolis when but a few months
old. At this time his youngest son was OF
age, and was dong for himself. One by
one his cons left for other fields OF labor,
and in the course Of a few years Mr.. Aber.
neihy found himself alone with q little
girl, whom lie loved as dearly rs IL she was
his own flesh and blood. When the child
was fifteen years OF age q crisis came upon
him, and by a failure which he did not ex.
plain. he lost sll he had. The girl, who had
now grown 10 he young lady, was con.
stantly devoted to his cares and wants. He
frankly acknowledged that his sons had
taken
The ThOrRy Path.
ard he could not call on them for assist.
arcp. The adopted girl, whom he named
Belle Abernethy, declared she would go
cut and work and earn a living Tor them
both. Finally, an opportunity presented
Itself whereby Miss Belle was offered lux
urious position in another part of the State.
The Old man thought il best for her 10 nc.
cept IL. which she did. Mr. Abernetby,
although over sixty years OF age. was not
Couttnted with his humble home, and
gathering up his scaniy means, started
West. Drifting about from place 20 place.
and his inhrmities fast appearing, his
money was soon spent. IN tie eaniime
he had lost trace ~ the gil, who had re-
moved from her former home 10 another
city.
For Pive Years
the old man worked about at odd jobs as
they presented themselves in Southern
Missouri. spending most Of that time IN 81.
Louis. From there he went TO Kansas
City. and after remaining there lew
months, came to Aichison, and went from
here 10 Topeka. At the latter place he was
taken violently sick, and had 20 rely on
the city authorities for shelter for his de-
crepit body. They claimed there that, ns
he was not a resident, he could not he kept
at public expense, and as soon a. he was
cob valeseent they shipped him oil. lie
was again thrown upon the mercies OF the
world, and wandered about until he found
himself in an almshouse in Cowley county.
HIs IndrInIties
prevented bis doing any manHA labor, and
he vas entirely dependent upon pubic
charity. During this siege oil woe, Belle
Aberr etby. the waif, turned out TO De an
heiY,ss. and the manner OF her being cast
off Inlly explained to her, snd she was put
in possfs ssion Of an estate worth $33,VD.
Sba still remembered the good man who
bad adoptel her and raised her from child
hood. and tried every means in her power
10 ascertain his Whereabouts, aayertisina
extensively in the leading papers Of ths
country. A gentleman connected VIE
the COWIsy county institution noticed th.
adverI;ssment Ia the Chicsgo Tribune anc
called Mr. AbFrnetby's attention To It.
THE old gentleman produced the paper
which was dsisd May q, l5oS, aud allowed
the reporter 10 copy the following Want
td. information leading TO the wneresbout
/ Of Sylvester q. AberHethy; q years oil age
! slight English accent; low in stature
I Address Mrs. II. ". Martin, box z, sol Net
I Orleans. La" Ths Old man irnnsediatel.
/ communicated with that address aud n
eeived word tha, the advertiser was non
| ether th5u
8eJle AhePnethy.
who bad married q wealthy sugar refine
! Of Louisians. His helpless condition va
! communicated 10 her, bnt IL mattered littl
| 20 btr;she wrote him to expect her in Jun'
spd true enough she came, ard is now 0
her way 10 her home with the man wh
cared for her wbe she was helpless Th
old gentleman declared this 10 be the hat
pies. DAY OF his lie, AID a. he was abot
through with bis romantic history Oh
lady returned, and the reporter bsde b'I
good by. and God speed. Tbs couple IeA'
for the East this afternoon.