The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-28
A CASE OF INGRATITUDE THAT CAN
GO DOWN ON THE RECORD.
How the Faithful and Expensive Erie nd
ship OF Gentleman for Twenty-ono
Years Was Rswarded-A Grand Bluff
Attempted Upon tho Wrong Party.

,wenty-onc years"
81 am all attention." sympathctically
responded the reporter, "and ii relief lies
within my power it shall be yours"
There il no relief, but ii you care to
hear the story, you shall do 50" and he
proceeded with the following recital
"TweDty-ono years ago ! numbered
among my devoted friends lady, the
mother Of two little daughters. The
husband and father was living, but was
one OF those worthless but harmless indi.
vidudls whom no one could detect any
good in. The vito and children received
no support from him and did not regard
him as much more than mere hanger on.
| had known them long while, had
grown to be an ever welcome guest. and
rcciprOCatcd the feelings OF sincere friend
ship manifested on every occasion by the
interesting ncighbOr family. This relation
was further strengthened ON my part by
the heroic soli-saCrllicc Of the wife and
mother. The year Of which | speak, 1867,
there was yellow fever in this city. ] fell
victim. Tho lady remained here and
when ! became i'll she faithfully and sue
ccsslnlly nurscd me until health was re-
stored. Noonc who has not undergone
that experience can appreciate tho graft
tudo lelt by yellow fever or any other
kind of patient for the nurse who has
brought them through all right. j was
not lacking in this feeling in the fantcst
degree. The family was not favored with
wealth. Neither was !, but was alone
in the world, earned comfortable income,
and easily and chccriuly contributed TO
their comforts.
"For ten years opportunities arose for me
10 display my gratitude Tor the lady's
overwhelming kindness 10 mo, and ! can
SAY with n clear conscience that ] never
iursOok one. At the end Of that time, or
in 1877, the lady died. On her death bed
she called me to her side, placed the hands
Of her daughters In mine aud coniidcd
them to my care. did not hesitate 10 ac-
cept. For three years every attention was
given them clothing, food and schooling,
together with innumcmblc little presents.
Three years later the younger daughter
died. From that time until last month |
have taken u pride aud pleasure In attend
ing 10 every wish and desire Of the re-
naming daughter.
"rhc young lady Is now about twenty
four years Of age. Several months ago she
announced 10 me that she was engaged 10
be- married. The young man was intro
duccd 10 me. | knew him, had no OBJ
lection, and congratulated both parties
The engagement was to extend through n
period of thirteen months. In her pre-
pnrations she was very elaborate, drew on
me very heavily, aud never complained.
Tho thirteen months have expired, the
couple have not married, but will do ~.
| ! have freely contributed not les than
| 1900 to them, besides selling lot iol
1928 and placing II Ia the German bank /,
! her credit.
"Only few days ago received a mes
sage that she would like To so me, naming
as the place point on Adams street.
went out promptly at the hour named
She met mo coOlly, handed mo case oi
icwclry containing about 1925 worth,
which lad given her some time previous.
~. An explanation was requested, but
! druicd. All efforts 90 obtain IL aitcrwarI
| signally failed. she fatty refusing to 81,
the. This ! considered incNcusahly un
kind, especially since Il was understood
| that the money advanced by me since hci
| majority WITS reached was nothing NOR
than q loan, for which nopluuH 10 return
was even hintcd NJ.
Last Friday afternoon met her and Z
/ Young lady friend ON Main sir,ct near
| Union. We we're on opposite sides Ut th,
street, but | went over aud politely con
| fruntcd her i would like t6 SEQ Won .
/ few moments on matter IT business
said 10 her, and certainly YOU connot ~
fuse me that I 10 not want tD 500 yot
nj all, she rctorlcd sharply, brushed pas
me aud walked ON down the street.
81 made my way calmly AMI thought
fully 60 the Peabody. There | met rail
road friend, and W. sat down, ! taking IN,
same seat occupied by Brown when b,
was shot by Lane. In the course vt hil
rcmarks my friend said, Suppose som,
crank should come In hrrc aud shoot on,
or both oi Us lnsiinctyrly | turned
toward tho Main street entrance 90 IN,
hotel, and singullry enough hchcId th,
six loot form Of the Young lady's intended
entering OWNED that She hal met and
told him oi my request iDr am interview,
and unmarked to my companion, well.
hero comes the crank. aud hos after mr.
The fellow walked straight 81 whrru | wa,
sitting, aud ~ ho continued, said IN rrun
tones, i want 30 500 YOU, Fir' / said
Very we'll, nrusc, took him 10y the elbow
AMI We walked toward tho mar Ut the 10
tundh NV companion, observing th,
| difference In our relative SINS, and that
the new conner was angry, Attempted O.
| follow IN my behalf, but | motiuncd him
| 10 remain. We proceeded through ~,
billiard hall 10 the alley between that ani
/ the rear Of oWill lirnN n COS stop
believed him 81 be- rvaly 10 take ma uniaii
! advantage Of mc, anl proposed io get OuI
OF the light Ito declined, stopped Ia th,
| light aud then | knew ho WIS a coward
nom whom ! had nothing to fear.
What is u, sirH inquired.
III YOU ever speak b. Miss --- again.
he replied, IN have you run out Of tow
/ Ia fifteen minutrs.'
'Ol all the prpolicrously cheeky prop,
ositi1ns, this tlonu'i mo. could not r.
strain myself and sailcd into him viii
| intensified propensity, nt thp same tim,
making an effort % strike him. As drpv
back Tot that purpose hr hrlko and RAJ
around toward Main, | followed cunsui
him at every step and driying him to stoI
aud have u out Hut be- didn't
Yesterday came the closing chapter i1
the present lnpnnciplri coward tina
the young lady's intended husband J.
hc insisted that she appeal 20 Chici payi
iur protection from me. To escort her L
the chiefs office be sought and sccurrd
young friend OF his, inicrposing the pie.
that hc Was too busy 10 ~ with her. fm
lection from whatl ! would like 90 know
ASH would harm hair vi her heal
Poor a. ] am, aud outraged ~ I feel.
would not ior the sake Of her and th
memory OF her dead mother. ask her \