Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1886-08-11
BEGGAR'S ROMANCE.
Once the Belle of Salt Lake and Now
Compelled to Grind Hand-OrGan
for q Living.

Connected to Grind a Hand Organ
for Living.
Did YOU ever notice the little old woman
who turns the crank Of a wheezy hand organ
On one Of the railroad viaductsa Day after
day, Summer and Winter, rain or shine, she
is seated there on little camp stool grind
ing out the same old distracting tunes. Hot
or cold she always wears the same old faded
gown, and the same threadbare shawl is al
WAYS drawn tightly across her shoulders. A
little black bonnet, rusty with age, pulled
veil down over her forehead to hide her
oinched and careworn features. Perhaps you
have caught chance glimpse Of her pale
face, and saw something in the pitiful ex-
preston that caused you to pause for
an instant and drop coin into the little tin
cup. 1t probably never occurred to you that
the life history of this street beggar is inter
lined with choice bit of romance. You
certainly never dreamed that the humble
creature before you was once the belle OF Salt
Lake City, leader Of fashion, and the heir
ess to millions. Yet she was. She is the
eldest daughter of John bingham Young,
one Of the wealthiest men in Utah, and
fayorite niece of the once famous Mormon
prophet. She was reared in luxury and re-
ceiyed liberal education. Gifted with rare
musical talents she became celebrated among
her people as an accomplished vocalist, and
at one time was the principal contralto in the
choir at the tabernacle. She was her faith
er's Joy, and just as she was budding into
womanhood he pledged her hand to a rising
young elder who had been active in prosely-
ting for the Mormon Church. The daughter
demonstrated, but without avail.
A short time before the day set for the
wedding she was secretly married to young
newspaper man. He was Gentle. When
her father got wind of the marriage he re-
nounced his daughter and cast her out of his
house. She fed with her husband to New
York, where he obtained employment as
reporter on morning newspaper. Shortly
after, his eyesight became affected and he
was unable to retain his position. Then
came the struggle for an existence. Their
little savings were soon exhausted in trying
to save the husbands eyesight, and after
three years treatment he became totally
blind. Though disinherited and reduced 10
poverty, the devoted wife remained true to
her marriage vows. She wrote to her faith
er, begging him to aid her, but receiving no
reply she sought for employment. Every
one turned a deaf ear to her appeals for work,
and as last resort she accepted an engage
ment in concert saloon. There her SPLEEN
did voice attracted attension, and was able
to earn enough to give her blind husband
comfortable home. Their prosperity, how
ever, was short lived, for not long after she
was Frustrated with sickness, and the fever
wreck of herself. Disheartened in spirit,
and feeble in health, she began the life of
sueet-beggar, wandering from place to place
hnally locating in Chicago, the Mecca for
poverty stricken Bohemians. Although drag
ged down to the very depths of despair and
she has steadfastly chung to the
sightless old man who unwittingly caused
her downfall Recently woman who knew
the beggar many years ago saw and recog
nized her, and by close questioning elected
the sad story of her unfortunate career
Chicago Tribune.