The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-07-10
THE MACKEY ROMANCE
FROM 4 NEVADA MINING GULCH TO
MARBLE PALACES.
The Poor Nevada Widow Whose Daugh-
ter Has just Welded the Prince
CoIonna-Brief Sketch OF
Romantic Career.
Augusta Constitutionalist.J

Some twenty odd years ago there dwell
in California family of three persons,
father, mother and daughter The latter
was a mere child All were young. The
father was physician. Unfortunately he
injured his not very extensive practice by
intemperance. His habits became so dis
sipated that the poor wife, despairing of
his reformation, and also of the posi-
bility of independent action on her own
part to secure support for herself and
child, proposed separation. The man
agreed to it; but he was not put out like
rip Van Wrinkle" lie was assured that
while he lived she would never
cease to help him. and that when
he mended his ways their rela-
tions should be restored He de-
parted to cure himself, if possible, and be
come worthy Of the woman who, sorely
beset, undertook the maintenance of the
family. Encouraged by his wife's prayers
letters and heroic conduct, the doctor re-
deemed himself. At least he thought so,
and his poor wife was more than willing
to believe it He returned to her home
and heart, warmly welcomed back to
both.
Unluckiy he had either miscalculated
his will power, or the demon of indulgence
was simply asleep, and by no
means dead within him. He went
back to his cups, and very soon the skele
ton finger Of poverty was laid upon
his domestic affairs. 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 whole
some, seemed to be insanely abandoned
to the evil of strong drink. Just at this
crisis rumOrs had reached California of
the COmstOck lode discovery, and thither
many of the mining population drifted
flan = L
little and wretched family journeyed.
The doctor pulled himself together for
a while and did some business, but his
health was gone, and very soon he died
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 mother and
child from time to time, and thus saved
both from sheer deprivation of food, shell
ter and raiment There was at that time
superintendent of one of the mines a
sturdy young Irishman, who, from the
lowest rounds of the ladder, had begun to
push his way to fortune. He was not
little dreamed of the Monte CriSto casket
in store for him. He used to carry the |
weekly or monthly stipend to the widow, |
and his visits to her became more and |
more frequent At last he married her, |
and her days of fear on the score of pow |
erty were over. She possessed a wellto-
do husband. and certain to make his way
in the world.
But in the days of distress the unhappy |
woman had resOrted to the morphine
habit, and could not, of her own efforts
re.ease herself from it A young physi-
clan at Nirginia City, who had recently
graduated in ran.e. informed her that I
II she would visit Paris and put
herself implicitly unde- he care
Of his old astNr ,tere Ter cure
could " gHs-z- ell II his the husband
Leutile5 over o1iE .Lc PRESENT
ltu'- II Nevada. the richest
- world has ever Known, !
.gssea &c seas and submitted to
.ea- .-~ - treatment i was
ny months of endur-
14-5. Mean. nile the famous California
# Consolidated = irglnia mines were
---- C-4.sj by tho husband, and the world
E-- -sgIsd bonanza, Of which he was
principal owner, made him at least
forty times a millionaire The wife in
Paris, now perfectly cured and blooming,
1T once rose into prominence and celeb
rity, for how could the marvel-loving
Parlslans help adoring woman whose
talents and beauty were matched by such
fabulous wealth so Economically discov-
ered? For years this lady, who is no
other than Mrs. John Mackey, has been
silver queen in the most splendid capital
u Europe. Sne mas lived IN palaces
Noblemen and men Of genius have paid
court at hex shrine.
Now all Paris, and therefore all the
universe, is in a ferment over the
ecent marriage of Miss Mackey and
he Prince Colonna The drift is nup-
tally to Rome, the City of the Soul, and
o Italian nobility. 1t is a miraculous
,ridging of the chasm that lies between
he mining gulch Of the Nevada noun
aims and St Peters church. where stands,
n supernal splendor, the grandest dome
hat mortal hand has painted against
fods lOVeliest sky" Little did
hes widow of the wretched
Ioctor of Virginia City imagine I
hat she would fairly roll in wealth,
well in palaces, be courted by church
nd state, be Familiarity associated with
be proudest names of the descendants of
he crusaders, and finally become the
aother- in-law Of Prince Colonna, whose
obiiity dates back almost to the time of 4
aladin The family name is as famous
8 any in history, and the heir of the
,olonna family, at p years of age, welded 5
be daughter of the poor doctor who fell +
y the wayside in Nevada, and sleeps his :
ast sleep in that stony desert. :