Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-02-16
An Unsoived Mystery.
Baltimore Dispatch.

An Unsoived Mystery.
Baltimore Dispatch.
Matilda Dorsey colOred, aged
ninety, died yesterday at her home
in Plum alley. and with her died
| the secret of a scandal which has
been the topic of conversation in this
city for several years past. The de-
ceased, who was familiarity known
as "Aunt Tillie," was at one time a
servant in the family of ex-GOv.
and ex-United States Senator ThOs.
Swami, of Maryland. When Mr..
Swami retired from politics, about
ten years ago, Aunt Tillie left his
employ, and secured position as
cook in the family OF congress
man from a western state. The
congressman's family consisted Of
his wife, two pretty daughters, and
an adopted son. The daughters
were twins, and, being of bright
and happy disposition, they soon be-
came general iavorites in Washing
ton society.
Aunt Tillie was their most trust
ed friend, and as their mother was
an invalid, and unacquainted with
their surroundings, owing to her
never having been able to leave her
room, the young ladies grew up
without that care which ii is neces-
sary a young girl should have be-
slowed upon her. They were fire.
quently out late of evenings, and
would return home alone. Their
father was popular man at the
club, and spent his evenings mostly
at that place. One evening about
nine years ago, Jennie, one of the
daughters, left her home, stating
that she was going to visit lady
friend, and would return in an hour.
The night passed, and she did not
return. The next day inquiry was
made at the house of her friend, and
then it was discovered that she had
not been there.
The search for her was continued
for several days without avail, and
at last the news of her absence
reached her mother, and caused her
death, or at least fastened it. After
the burial of the mother, the father
of the absent girl employed the
most expert detectives, and offered
large rewards for any tidings of his
lost child. Even this did not effect
any result, and after search of
three months the matter was taken
out of the hands of the detectives,
the father broke up housekeeping,
and boarded at the residence of a
brother congressman.
AUNT Tillie," being thrown out
81 ri 70
more, and as she had accumulated
quite snug sum of money, she de
cided to live at ease in the little
dwelling which she owned on Plum
alley. A month or so after being
settled she was aroused from her
bed late one evening by knock, at
the door, and upon inquiring,
"WhO's there ?" the reply was, SITS
me, Aunt Title; open the door. 1t
is Jennie" Upon the colOred wOm-
an opening the door the long lost
child, the daughter of her former
master, stood before her. Jennie
was poorly clad, and her appear
ance Indicated she had been sick
long time. Upon being invited to
come in and warm herself, the poor
child hesitated at first, but upon
being pressed for few words of
conversation, she entered the hum
BILE home, and soon began her story
of suffering. 1t was the same old
story of love and ruin. Who her
betrayer was she refused to make
known; likewise she refused tO tell
Aunt Tillie where she was stopping.
After inquiring about members of
her family, she departed, promis-
ing to come again and see her old
friend.
Nothing was heard of her for sew
eral days, when a colored girl came
to Aunt Titles house with pretty
little girl baby, and said miss Jen-
ME" had sent her to show her her
little babe. Aunt Tillie was thun-
derstruck, as Jennie had said moth
ing about child when she told her
sad story few days before. After
sitting short while at the house,
the cOlored girl who brought the
baby made an excuse to return
home for few moments, and never
returned. Aunt Tillie did not know
what to do with the little baby, as
she was ignorant of its mothers adj
dress. She thought, however, Miss
Jennie would come after the little
one, in case the colored nurse had
run away.
Days passed, and no one came for
the little one, and the fact that the
child had been deserted dawned
upon Aunt Tillie. She wrote to the
father of the child's mother, but the
reply came to the effect that he had
disowned his daughter, and would
also disown the child. "Aunt Til
lie" thereupOn decided to raise the |
little darling herself. The child |
had been in her care for a month or |
more when a letter was received |
post marked Brooklyn, n. Y"
Upon opening it the following note
was found:
"Aunt Title: Enclosed find $50 |
for the care of my baby. Will send
the same amount every three /
months. Kiss Belle for me.
JENNIE"
Every three months, according to
the above note, the remittance of
$50 has been received by Aunt Til
lie. A few days ago, finding herself
sinking, she called the
child Belle to her side, and request
ed all to leave the room, as she had
of a private nature to
speak to the child about. The re-
quest was granted, and Aunt Tillie
and the child Were together nearly
IN hour. After the interview the
child left the room, carrying a
small package. No one asked her
what she had, or where she was
going. A few hours later, when in
Iuiry was made for the child, Aunt
rillie informed them that she had
eft the house for good, and had
zone TO Join her mother. COntinu.