The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-02-21
rom tho Alcnstn conslltntion.

FROM tDG AUBHNlu NbnsllNutluus
Some twenty odd years ago there
lwelt in California family Of three
persons, father, mother and daughter.
The latter was IL mere child. All were
young, The father was q physician.
Unfortunately he injured his not very
extensive practice by intemperance.
His habits became so dissipato& that
the poor wife, despairing OF his reIor-
nation and also Of the possibility OF
independent action OH her own part
to secure support Tor herself and gmId,
proposed Il separation. The man
agreed to it; but he WAS assured that
while he lived she would never cease
to help him, and that when he mend
ed his ways their old relations should
be restored He departed to cure him
self, if possible, and become warthy OF
the woman who, serely beset undertook |
the maintenance Of the family, En- |
couraged by his wiie'a prayers, letters,
and heroic conduct, the doctor re !
deemed himself. At least he thought
80, and his poor wife was more than
willing to believe it. Hs returned to
her home and hGart warmeIy weIconl-
ed back to both. Unluckely, he had
either miscalculated his will power
or the demon Of indulgence was simp-
ly asleep, and by no means dead with
in him. He went back TO his cups,
and very soon the skeleton finger OF
poverty was laid upon his domestic al
fairs. The devoted wife, unwilling to
undertake an experimental separation,
and unable to remain where she was,
determined to try what change. OF scene
would do for this miserable man who
naturally kind, talented, and W tRle-
some, seemed to be insanely abandon
ed to the devil of strong drink. Just
at this crisis rumors had reached Cali
fornia of the Comstock lode discovery,
and thither many of the mining popu-
lation driited, Across the 5ierras to
Virginia City this little and most
wretched family journeyed.
The doctor pulled himself together
fer while and did some business, but
his health Vas gone, and very soon he
di d. Widow and orphans were left
in the very depths Of poverty The
generous miners had dubbed together
to bury the doctor. They made up a
purse for the widow and child from
time to time and thus saved both from
utter deprivation Of food, shelter ano
raiment There was at that time super
intendent Of one OF the mines, stur
dy young irishman, who, from The
lowest rounds of the ladder, had begun
to push his way to fortune. He wa
not then more than moderately vel
of, and little dreamed OF the Monte
Cristo casket in store for him. II,
used to carry the weekly or MONTH,
stipend to the widow, and his visits Il
her became more and more frequent
At last he married her, and her day
Of fear on the score Of poverty wer
over. She possessed well-to-do hus
band, who was the master Of his pos
sessions, and certain to make his wa,
in the world. But in the days Of dis
tress the unhappy woman had resortet
to the morphine habit, and could not
of her own effort, release herself iron
it. A young physician at Vngini
City, who had recently graduated i
France, informed her that il she woul
visit Paris and put herself implicit
under the care of his old master there
her cure could be guaranteed. Will
tho husband remained to uncOve
with the present junior Senator lror
Nevada, the richest silver deposit tn
world has ever known, the wife eros
ed the seas and submitted to a rigo
Gus medical treatment. 1t was su
cessIul after many months OF endu
ance. Meanwhile, the famous Cal
fornia And Consolidated Virgin
mines were penetrated by the husbar
and the worldrenowed bonanza,
which he was principal owner, mae
him at least forty times millionail
The wife in Paris, now perfectly cure
and blooming, at once rose into prof.
inence and celebrity, for how cou
the marvel-loving Parisians help ado
ing woman whose talents and beau
were matched y such fabulous veal
SO Economically discovered, For yea
this lady, who Is no other than Nj
John Mackey, has been silver que
in the most splendid capital OF Eurol
She has lived in palaces. Noblem
and men of genius have paid court
her shrine.
Now all Paris and therefore all I
universe, is in lerment over the ;
preaching marriage ST Miss Mack
and the Prince Colonna, The orif
nuptially to Rome, the City Of the Dc
and to Italian nobility. 1t is mir
ullous bridging of the chasm that
Al