Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-09-26
A LOVE STORY.

Some years ago there lived in the city oi
Mobile, Ala, family named Riyes, con
sisting of a father, mother and three
daughters, aged respectively J, 10 and Il
years, the girls being remarkable Tor then
beauty, and the two eldest, especially, ex'
ceedingly we'll educated and accomplished,
and most brilliant pianists. Colonel Rivei
was largely interested in several planta.
tions, possessed property in the city OF
Mobile proper, and was regarded as one Of
the leading citizens. Reverses OF fortune
came, however, and the once wealthy
famil ly were soon reduced to decidedly
small means. In addition to other misfor-
tunes Colonel Rives was one day accident
ally killed by the explosion OF steam
boiler upon one of his plantations. Mrs.
Rives came to st. Louis to make living
for her children, and hard struggle fol.
lowed. Eloise, the eldest daughter, was at
last obliged to become a chambermaid IN a
hotel. and the others of the family OBJ
tanned a home at the residence OF Mrs.
Waterhouse.
About three months ago there stopped
at the hotel a German from Colorado
named r. Stager, chemist and metal
lurgist by profession, and who resided in
the village of Garfield, thriving hamlet
In the Centennial State. Fortune having
been kind to him, ne had gained compe-
tency amounting to about $3.50. 600. Upon
arriving he Immediately fell violently in
love with tine pretty chambermaid, and
Miss Rives was then able to boast of two
levers who swore they were both ready to
die for her, with a possibility OF the re-
jected one doing likewise if she so desired.
The girl did not receive Stagers attentions
with favor, he being more than twice her
age, 80 she kept herself fancy free for all
that the outside world knew. Stager went
back to Colorado with the intention of for.
getting her, if possible, but found himself
unable to do 50, and after staying away
about one month, returned to st. Louis
again, stopping at the Hotel Hunt, loving
the girl as fondly as ever; but she still re.
fused to give him any encouragement.
About three weeks ago Miss Rives' eyes
became affected, and being seriously i'll
she was obliged to leave her place in the
hotel. Mrs. Waterhouse took her to her
own home, where she could be properly
cared for and where mothers tender
hands could ease her daughters pain.
Then followed test of Stager's affection
and loyalty. By night and by day he
thought of nothing but the girl he so
fondly loved. Flowers, fruit and every
delicacy obtainable he had sent to the
house where his love lay sick. Every ex-
pense was paid by him, and he used his
money solely for her benefit. Her heart
could not Withstand these proofs of his de-
votion, however, and against the wishes of
her family she consented to become his
wife. Yesterday was fixed upon as the
wedding day, and at o'clock in the after.
noon DR.. Vincil appeared at the residence
of Mrs. Waterhouse for the purpose of
performing the ceremony. The girl soon
to be wife still occupied her bed, unable
to be moved. Sweet.smelling flowers
graced the room, and in her hand she held
bunch Of forget-me.nots. Through the
open window the sun shone brightly,
throwing slanting sunbeams upon her
wasted form. At her side stood her future
husband, while around the bed were gath.
cred her mother and sisters, Mrs. Water.
house, who had helped to nurse her, a few
friends of the family and a Globe Democrat
reporter.
Solemnly and quietly the two were we'd
ded and joined together for life. During
her sickness she had become blind, and,
while the ceremony was being performed,
helplessly extended her arms to her lover,
as if to keep him ever near her, and as he
placed the wedding ring upon her finger a
bird flew in at the window and perched
upon the head of the bed. Though his
wife will probably never rise from her bed
again, Stager insisted that the coming of
the bird was q good omen and a sure sign
that his love would recover.-[St. Louis
Globe Democrat.