The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-08
MoRTGAGING HIS DAUGHTER.
A Pennsylvanian's Trade with Wealthy
Young Man.
Pittsburg Leader.

PIttsburg Leader.
Eyes, sir. startling as it may seem. father
| confessed to me that certain man in Plttsburg
had actually bought his daughter from him, or,
rather, the father had entered into an agreement
| with the Pittsburg man that when she, who is
| now over fifteen years, reached the age OF six
teen. she will become his property, and that the
purchaser can have her for his wife or mistress,
whichever she desires. This agreement was
made in consideration of sum Ct money loaned
| the father" Thus spoke gentleman residing
On Mount Washington to Leader reporter yes
| terday.
| But how does it come. inquired the scribe,
| that you are conversant with the details of
what to all intents and purposes, must be a
secret2
| 1.-The father is well-known to me, and I met
| him about week ago in a South-side saloon.
| He was considerably under the influence Of
| liquor. He told me had just drawn $50 from
one of the banks / asked him if he had a de-
| post at the bank. He said he had not, but that
| he had received check that morning for the
amount named from man who might some day
| be his son-in-law. / further questioned him
| about the matter, when he in a moment OF
| drunken confidence told me the story 1 have
just related to you He did not state who the
man was, but the best way to do is TO visit the
| mans house His name is Mr.. -. He lives
| near Castle Shannon, and who knows but he
will talk to you"
| The reporter called as directed. On knocking
| at the door of little frame cottage which had
been pointed out to the scribe as being the resi-
| dence sought after, the summons was answered
| by marvellously handsome young. girl, appar-
entity about fifteen years of age. In response to
the inquiry for the person sought the girl said:
Father is not in at present but he will be here
| in a few moments. Please step inside and be
| seated" This was said in a lady-like manner,
| and with certain air of refinement. Her
movements were all very graceful, which added
to her beauty certainly made her a very attract
| overlooking female. Are you Mr.. IS daugh-
| ter?n
Eyes, sir, / am his youngest child. There is
| another girl besides myself but she is not here
| at present" This last was said in tone of sad
| ness
MISS" said the SCRIBE 1T have heard singu-
| lar story about Mr.. - daughter, and would
| like to know if you are the one referred to"
also informed her who he was, and the object Of
| his visit In reply to which she said:
II suppose am the girl referred to, but your
| informant has not told you the true state of
the Pittsburg gentleman, so l had better cor
rectly inform you, for | fear if l did not you
would put us all in false light. But do not
mention any name, please My mother died two
| years ago | was then thirteen years of age.
| and the sister I spoke TO you about was seven
/ teen years old She went away from home one
| year ago next month. / would rather not
tell under what circumstances. 1t does not
| concern the story you came after, anyhow.
| Father was left alone with us two girls when
mother died We were then living in Allegheny.
| After sister left we came to live on the South
| Side, and not long ago moved here. / was an
| attendant at the Fourth-ward school, Allegheny,
| up to the time of our leaving that city about a
year ago. Father got me employment in large
| dry goods store. While there | was observed
| by relative of one of the proprietors of the
store. He must have taken kindly to me, as he
| visited fathers house the following Sunday, and
had long, private conversation with father
| about me, at the conclusion of which was asked
| if would like to quit the store and attend
| school and dress we'll. I was astonished at
| 1t was given me, and proved to be this: The
! young man who called, who, by the way, is quite
| rich and quite good looking proposed to give
| father sum of money down to pay my board
and the cost of educating me at private school,
| provided that when reached the age of sixteen
father consents to our marriage. The PROPOSE
| ton, you see was rather novel one, but father
consented, and | have been attending school
ever since, and am really growing to like my
| intended. have good time. Oh, suppose
the money father told you about was my board. !"
| ''Dc you ever meet your intendedp asked the
! scribe.
"Quite frequently was the reply ssas I often
| out here
| Do you really think he intends to marry you
| when you are sixteen years old?
| II think Ask father; he can tell you more
about that when he comes. don't know what
| is keeping him."
question put to the young miss she hasn't been
| doing much of anything for some time. To tell
you the truth sir, father drinks too much" '.Has
ne any source of incomel' Eyes, sir; the young
man pays $40 month for my board, then when
| he comes out to spend day or two he gives
| time but he failed to put in All appearance so
/ the Leader man took his danartl1ra