The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-02-05

sunder the organization, or compel the
largest amount of dirt eating that has
been witnessed for many a day. We bid
the cause God. speed in this direction, for
in it's consummauion the Commonwealth
will be benefited.
An American Romance.
When Dumas wrote the story of Monte
Christie, the picture which he drew was
but a wild foray of the imagination into
the realms of fancy. In our day and in
our land tale might be told as full of
startling changes, as swift in its transi-
tions. and yet not tresspassing beyond the
borders of the real. 1t is a story that IT,
Illustrates the possibilities of an American
life. 1t runs the gamut of the social
scale. Itpasses with wondrous swiftness
from the depths of pinching povert, to
the Utmost circle of royal life.
Not more than twenty years ago a
drunken doctor died in Nevada. He had
been we'll educated was man of fine pro-
fessional attainments, and withal gener-
Gus, warm-hearted, and full of noble i'm
pulses. He had wife and little girl and
loved them. But the fatal love for drink
out-weigLed all human affection, and
brought his family to the direst want and
wretchedness. Death and famine entered
his howell hand in hand. The one claimed
it's victim, and the other set it's mark upon
the mother and the child, but strong arm
was present to rescue. The doctor had
lived near a mining camp. After his
death and when the abject poverty which
he had fought so hard to conceal was ex-
posed, the big hearted miners came for
ward, and in their rough way gave decent
burial to the dead, and succor to the living.
The widow and child became the wards of
the camp. A weekly contribution was
made for their support, and sturdy young
fellow was selected to bear the gift to the
widows home each Saturday night. Bye
and bye the miners visits became more
| frequent and in due time the widow s
weeds were laid aside for the marriage
veil. The groom HAD been lucky and
plucky, and after his marriage strike after
strike was made, and ere many years had
elapsed he was worth his millions. His
| wife was handsome, bright, captivating
and well educated, and his adopted
daughter well worthy of the affection and
care lavished upon her. For the purpose
of consulting an eminent physician the
wife and mother was recommended to
visit Paris. Thither she repaired with her
daughter, whilst the husband remained at
home to pile up fabulous wealth and gather
in high political honors. He entered the
United States Senate, and his mining in
vestments made him forty times million
aire. In the gay metropolis of France,
the wife was restored to health, and with
unlimited credit soon rivaled royalty in
the magnifcence Of her entertainments.
She lived in palaces, and her guests were
princes and noblemen. She outshone the
Empress, when the Empire survived. and
uring the so-called Republic, she has
refused for her daughter the hand of Roy
atty itself. Gold without limit, and al
most uncountable has been at her COM
mand and she lavished it about her with
more than regal extravaganza. On one &C.
casion, it is SAID, when the French Gov
eminent declined to allow her to illuminate,
at her own expense, the Arc de Triom-
phe, she banteringly offered to buy
it at the governments own price.
! She paid famous artist $4,000 to paint
her portrait, and because it did not please
her consigned it to the flames. But with
| all her extravagances, her eccentricities
and her yanities, Mrs. Mackey for it is of
the wife of the Silver King we write, has
many admirable traits. Her wealth is not
all spent in idle show. 1t finds it's way
into many wretched home, and deeds of
charity Of which the world knows nothing
are placed to her credit on the book not
kept by mortal hands. She is devout
Catholic, and an active church worker.
Her daughter has been educated at the
be not only cultivated and beautiful, but a
girl of fine character, and unspoiled by the
homage paid her. She is engaged to be
married now to Prince Colonna. noble
man in every way worthy Of young girls
love and faith, and whose ancestry traces
back to the days of Saladln. The match
is said to have been one of love. The
groom is young, handsome, talented and
in addition to the ancient name he bears,
is we'll endowed with this worlds goods.
And thus it comes to pass that she who
scarce twenty years ago, was drinking the
bitterest dregs of wretchedness, andliving
on the charity of friends, is now the envy
OF Princesses. and soon will be the mother
in-law of representative of Europe's
Oldest royalty. Let us hope the future
Princess ColOnna will find in him to whom
she gives her lifea love, man as worthy
of the name of nobleman as he who sought
her mother in the howell and babe her sit
with kings.
The Winchester Times says that Col. u.
l.. Boyce, yice-president of the Shenan-
doah Valley Railroad, had conference in