Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-31

Overlooking the stage road leading
from lockwood. q station ON the Den
yer and RioGrande rail way, toRico and
nearly midway between these points,
are several strange formations, the
most remarkable OF which rises like
az immense battlement, with its tow
ers and bastions perfectly defined
against the sky thousands OBJECT shove
the surrounding country. This we'll
known landmark is known as Castle
Rock, and forms q portion Of some
Of the grandest aud most romantic
scenery to found in Colorado
At the foot Of the rock, which
rises as an immense wall, IS level
plain Of perhaps mile in width and
several in length, upon which have
been located several ranches. In the
east the beautiful Cascade mountains
raise their ambitious heads above the
valley. to be collapsed BY the higher
Needles beyond, aud the Monarch En.
gineer mountain. The road winds for
quite distance through this beautiful
valley, and located upon it, almost
within the shadow Of the monster bat.
Element, is Castle Rock Station place
where the stage formerly stopped for
meals and change Of horses.
Late one afternoon 10 the summer
OF 1881, as the sun was sinking behind
the mighty columns Of the noble mon.
ument, the stage from the south drove
up to the door with its accustomed
hustle and flourish, aud there alighted
0 woman, young aud beautiful. accom-
panied by q man scarcely yet in
the prime Of life, dark and handsome,
but with an expression sinister and
treaoherous to the observer. The
pair, after ordering supper, started for
walk down the road TOW ard heavy
growth Of timber and notwithstanding
the driver Of the stage waited for
them q considerable time, he was final
" compelled TO drive off without them,
and although the landlord watched
and searched for them until long into
the night, they did not return, and in
tsct we're never seen sfterward.
About two weeks ago an old white
haired gentleman rode up 70 the half
hostelry aud half store which has
taken the place OF the old stage sta
ton, which, however, is carried on by
the same proprietor, end dismountine,
seated himself upon the bench outside
the door. Alter q number Of inquiries
Of q general character as to the sur
rounding country, be said his name
was Charles W. Morgan, Of Chicago,
and told a sorrowiul story Of williul
daughter. the social pot Of large
circle, whose every wish was gratifed
before expressed, and whose will was
law TO her doting parents. Yet the
serpent entered the happy family and
left the Shiny faint Of his presence for
all time, The daughter, by some
means, became infatuated with an
actor whom she had seen at the play,
and one morning her room was found
deserted and she had fed, leaving no
trace save a few pitiful words 10 3 note
saying: Father, l could not help il.
! have gone with him. Forgive and
forget me.
To describe the confederation Of the
grief-stricken family were beyond the
power Of words. II would rather she
we're dead, moaned the heart broken
father. However, TO do something,
although that something produced no
result, was better than 10 suffer AZ
home the dread uncertainty as TO his
darling's fate, he made preparations
for journey, and following the oleW
given BY the movements Of the com.
psuy in which the destroyer bad
played. the father started West, and
upon reaching San Francisco found
the company there, but learned that
the man Of whom he twas In search had
left them the week before, saying he
6as going 10 Australia. Taking the
next steamer, after several weeks he
landed At Melbourne, and sitter fruit.
less search there visited In turn sew
eral ether prominent cities He was
taken i'll at Sydney, where he lay for
months in a hospital a Taving maniac
After his case had been given up as
hopeless, be one day showed signs Of
recovery, and in q few weeks left the
hospital the wreck OF his lormef sell,
but with the purpose Of ascertaining
the fate Of his erring daughter burn.
log as brightly within him as ever.
Again embarking, no began the return
voyage. Upon reaching San Francisco
nc obtained what he thought another
olew, and started 1t once for Denver.
spending but one night ut Colorado's
capital, he took the train for the south
and lott the cars At lockwood, where
he obtained his horne and thnahsd