The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-02-26
A CURIOUS INCIDENT.
Az UNKNOWN PICTURE or MARI
QUEEN Of SCOTS.

More than fifty years ago an incident
of perhaps no great importance occurred
on one of The streets OF Southern town
II was only such an act OF politencss a.
was. at that time. common among gen
tlemen of the day. We are not sure,
however that the same observance would
take place now under like circumstances
During q sudden fall of rain we'll
known gentleman and lawyer met on the
street and sheltered a feeble and unpro-
,ected old lady from the shower by re-
sirninr 10 her the umbrella he had just
,ai.ed over his own head The lady, IN
accept'ur this unexpected attention. was
nrompt I'd acknowledge the courtesy. re-
oucstinr 40 'hc same time The address oil
her heneiactor. In order that the umbrella
mi,ht hc returned g. him. I'm doing thls
ibe venerable stranger displayed 10 Tie
gentleman cOuntenauce SO expressive
of goodness and refinement, and a man
pcr SO generous AID diguitled, that h.s
curiosity was pr0p0fti0nalc.y excited io
know WHO she could De- His description
OF her personal appearance, coupled viii
repeated inquiries, failed to Afford ihe
Information he desired. Very soon after
.he umbrella appeared AZ the house of rs
owner and in due time the incident
passed 0ut of his mind
Many months afterwards this same
gentleman found one day al his nome a
note exprcssc. IN the most polite and
felicitous stv.e. executed in the most ln-
exceptional caigraphy and upon paper
OF the choicest texture, requesting Ms
immediate attendance az certain house
NOT very far from his own residence. lie
could not con lecture who thc writer OF
su.h "a communication Was because he al
once observed that The house referred 20
was quite small, uupre'endlng cottage,
situated ina -plrccly populated part oil
The town. retired from the street. ard al
most hid from public observation by trees
ar4 shrubbcry A communication So
suggestive of education and refinement
gould scarcely De supposed to come from
person occupying % humble habIta-
lion People of culture wealth, and high
social standing generally dwelt at tae time
10 which we refer d. more prctenlous
mansions. cnyiroued by ample grounds,
and adorned in approved sfrlc Many
of such places are still 90 he seen in that
same town. lut recent events. and what
Is niprantv called the march of lm
progement.' are fast contributing 20
their destruction our lawyer bent ON
business rs well as from curiosity,
promptly oboyeI the summons OF BITS
mysterious correspondent The cottage
gate opencd 20 him for the first time DID
his life. and a RAP upon Us door ty p
manufacturing old .gaes knockcr brou tut
out neatly attirei female domestic by
whom our visitor was ushered into .
small reception room. His observant
eve was AS much attracted by the evil
droces of culture aud taste then before
him as f. had been Dy the character OF
the note uc had received. He noticed on
the dark, iantaaticslly carved tables
richly bound editions of the best French
and English authors. Around him ON
small stands were rare and unique -pcri-
mems OF bijOurie in bronze and OF the
other materials while ornaments OF more
nretentiOus degree adorned the high old
mautel piece. Antique and richly
carved piecesof furniture stood so.emulY
10 against The implanted walls az The
room. looking i.i Al ease in their p!am
and humble home Altogether. such 800
expression %. dcCayed prosperity 'i"oH'.,
over the pace as 90 produce ih lAe i"III
Of our visitor melancholy 'n'eI',t DID
all he saw. While BE- was lnd"l.'as "s
sqecuauons, suddenly siie o".' WAS
softly opened He started las Do ia 300
welcome appartiOn lW risen D.l''' .'.'
Instead cd tn.s, however, me form "- .h.
venerable parsonage lo "uow -' Ai'
month, ago resigned ms um'itHa i..i.
lbs appearances AS hf Jos. '' ''
and was about io 2iFe expression .'
lhul-htf her grateful "',hitht'' JOB ''-
prompt response lo Aet aote NICER. .'I
what Ir bad '0 say. j. le i"1 l.rH .l.
tc-c-toi ay her manner oh Use i".m.-
o.. -.la. A3E much more WAS .'"
iml .o--ri.
Although marY year, have
since these occurrences. thr "ti'f "0i
umemh. Ie- Ip'..a- OF t.t ....r'.e.N
frm tle Dips oI 'le |H"ytr hm-t.i He
expressed bis as,Hai-hment al iho.n- .A
l. humble hab.aiiJn $50 clever anl Sol.
maHor 90 person ir recalled "llh
admiration her FADED cJunirnAh'e -lI.
a-l.w with tEe freshness "l green 'i'
age. -0l'encd hy ihe lingering remains oI
tonne, beauty. tut evidently aa'l"thtd 10y
thc shadows VI cares an n""h i' h.iD.