The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-01-14
AN AVERTED TRAGEDY.

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A Case of Loveslcknsss Which Providen-
TALLY Did Not Prove Fatal.
Persons of marked sentimental ten
denotes often make themselves appear
ridiculous in the eyes of their more
practical and sensible friends.
When these sentimental vagaries take
the form of disappointment in affairs of
the heart there is no doing anything
with or for them.
The affliction must, like some dis
cases, run its course, which it usually
does with amazing rapidity, leaving the
victim still on this earth, notwithstand-
ing his or her predictions to the con-
trary.
| was once visited, says we'll known
poet, by young woman of most woe
tul cast of countenance. She seemed
to be in a condition of settled melan-
choly, signing often and deeply, while
her hand frequently went up in the vi
clnity of her heart.
Greeting her politely. l asked how l
could be of service to her.
"You see before you woman whose
life has been wrecked, whose youths
fair day has been turned to the black
ness of night, who has had all the
beauty and sweetness and tenderness of
life taken from her by the perfdy of
man." she said in STACEY voice.
AS l wasn't the man in question, and
did not feel myself in any degree re-
sponsible for the real culprit, 1 won-
dered what part 1 was to play in this
tragedy.
The STACEY young woman enlight
ened me by saying:
"You have heart"
l owned up to the charge.
II have long read and loved yonr
verses, your heart breathings, your di-
vine aspirations, and, in my days Of
happiness, when the birds seemed to
sing only for me, when the sky seemed
blue for me alone, when the gentle
winds of heaven seemed" [ started
to my feet, believing the woman to be
crazy. To my amusement she waved
me toward chair, saying:
"Pray be seated, sif," an act Of
graciousness l was grateful for, partlcu
larly as l was in my own house.
"Sir," began the young woman again,
"I have loved-loved and lost. My
maiden affections have been won only
to be cast away vows Of affection have
been poured into my innocent ear.
You see before you broken-hearted
girl. The sun of my life is about to
set. The sands are nearly run. The
early snow will cover my grave. 1 shall
be at rest, and, as dying girl, l come
to you to make one last request"
"What is that?" l asked. A more
perfect picture of physical health had
never seen, and the wasting away"
process had not manifested itself in the
least.
The affair became intensely ludicrous
when the young woman suddenly fell on
her knees at my feet, and said:
"Promise that you will write poem
on my death, something that will be an
everlasting sting and reproach to the
man who has wrecked my life. | will
give you his name and address. | will
confide everything to you. Let the
poem be one long reproach. Write
something that will scar itself in letters
of fire on his heart. Have it put in all
the papers-will you solemnly promise ?"
Repressing as oest 1 could my de-
sire to laugh aloud, l said:
81 am sorry, Miss, but 1 fear l can
not very well make such promise. L"
She rose to her feet, stiffened her.
self. and Kissed out:
at is enough; you refuse the poor
petition OF dying girl. 1 have told
you my name. Watch the death rolls.
My name will soon appear there. Then
groan in your remorse. Adieu, heart
of stone, adieu !'' and out she sailed.
That was five years ago; today l
met happy, winsome-looking mother
wheeling handsome bsby-cab before
her in which there sat a splendid in
fant. the living image of his mother.
She led a puffy checked, rosy little chap
of three years by the hand. The
chlld's other hand was clasped in that
of big, rosy-cheeked, jolly man, whom
| had seen before. He was, in fact, a
butcher who had lately come into our
street.
As approached the happy family
the mother said:
'rhere, Sammy ; let papa lead you,
mama must attend to baby"
| knew that voice. | looked keenly
at the woman. She looked at me. Our
eyes met. Hers fell. As | live, she
was that dying girl l had met five years
before.
Never judge by appearances. A
shabby old coat may contain an editor,
while man wearing high toned plug