The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-09
FRIED OYSTERS.


ter friiiers as well as bier husband. and She
nodded am assent; and putting hy her work,
went into the little kitchen 40 The end of tho
fat and, having handed her spouse a small
tim kettle with "A handle looked t0 the fire,
and set an that was necessary ON the cooking
table Then She sat down % wait for him.
10 was warm in tho kitchen and comforta-
be and cory.
Mrs. Cassidy, waiting for her spouse,
leaned lack against the wall and shut her
eyes. Not sleeping; oh, no, only thinking
The clock tucked on; the tea kettle sang its
song Mrs. Cassidy was back in the country
place where she was born talking at the gar
den gate with Tom. Then something aroused
her She started mp.
Tom Toni Why. where was Tom CASH
dyi lie bad been gone an hour. And the
oyster saloon was only around the corner.
She must have had a nap.
Frightened and nervous, She ran 10 the
door. All was very still in the street, and
where tine houses were not utterly dark the
lights had gone TO the upper floors.
Perhaps the saloon was closed and he had
gone farther for the oysters. Yes; that must
be it,
She went back TO the kitchen and waited,
but no Tom came
ln fact, De did not come that night About
dawn next morning the servant coming
down stairs 20 kinde the fire, saw her mis-
tres crouched up the corner Of the kitchen
fireplace moaning and rocking herself % and
fro
When asked what was the matter, she
said:
"Your master is dead Sally"
Sally shrieked, bat when informed that her
lady reasons for this statement were that
her husband had gone out intending 20 re-
turn in a few minutes, and was not yet at
home sally grinned and took the affair
lightly.
depend upon it. num-" she said, "hc's
only gone of ON a spree. They all does it
sooner or later. Ny last lady didn't see hers
for three weeks one winter Mr. Cassidy u
turn up all right again soon"
But her mistress cOald not be comforted.
Neither was Sally a true prophet It was
soon evident that Nr. Cassidy had disap-
peared
AN his male relatives and connections went
% worl, at the search for him as soon as they
could be telegraphei for No gentleman Of
his description had inquired for oysters late
that evening in the neighborhood.
At bis place of business person waited for
him at nine that morning by appointment.
Failing in this meeting was very disadyan-
taeeous 20 Mr.. Cassidy
He had bought tickets for the theatre the
next evening for Mrs Cassidy and himself,
and bad given them % her 90 keep SAFE Not
the most suspicious detective Of them an
could believe that Mr. Cassidy had volunta-
rily left home.
A respectable gentleman Of his age, well
dressed as he always was, probably, would
have been taken 90 "a hospital If Doe had been
seized with a sudden attack of illness IN tine
street or, at least. If be had been supposed
90 De intoxicated, dubbed and locked up boz a
cell for daring 70 have apopexy or heart de
ease. his remains would have been found by
this time. They searched high and they
searched low for q week At last a body was
found in the river. its clenchei hand was
closed over something that proved To- bee the
handle of tin can. Time and weather had
done the worst with person and wearing app
parel, but the body was identified by the loss
Of two front teeth and "a bald spot ON bis heal
To be sure, Mr. Cassidy in life had worn
two artificial teeth, but that was nothing
The detectives, the brothor-in-iaw, the two
cousins. talked the sad affair over, aud de-
ciied that there could be n0 doubt concern
ing the manner of bis death.
Tho unfortunate widow bad the news
broken 20 her. She was prepared for the
worst by that time And the next days pa-
pers had fun account Of the afIsir They
stated that
"1lr. Cassidy, a prominent business man
of our city, feeling some appetiteat II o'clock
at night, ON Wednesday, the - of -,
with the simplicity and amiabiiiiy that dis
tineui.hed him, took O small tim can from
bis kitchen dresser. and set forth 90 procure
a certain number of these luscious blyalvCs,
which bis estimable laly-a true American
wiie-agreed TO dress for him. Proceeding
down tie street. he had reached a lonely
and deserted place opposite the well known
church under the past0rago of Dr. Chicken,
when suddenly from the shadows OF the sac
cred portal % rufian darted toward him, ciy-
inc. Your money or your life! and 90 the
same time dealing him a furious blow In the
mouth. which deprived him Of two front
teeth. Mr.. Cassidy defended himself ably
with the can. but finally fell senseless under
the blows the wretch continued TO deal him.
The can was wrenchei from the handle
which his manly hand still clutched even IN
insensibility. and after having been robbed
of an bis valuablos, bis pocketbo0k, and even
his shoes, he was dragged toward the wharf
and cast in. I'm vain his anxious wife watched
and listened for his return. His body lay
beneath the dark water; his soul had flown
hoavenward. and the murderer fled safely
with his 3D. gotten spoil Mr. Cassidy's terri
bic death is deeply regretted by all who knew
him.
The funeral was a large one For awhile
every one thought poor Mrs. Cassidy would
die: but she had fine constitution, and with
this grief is not apt 90 KILL though DO may put
an end % weakly or ailing person. She got
about I'm her widows weeds and her brother,
a person Of prompiitude and dispatch, who
al ways took time by the forcock, closed mp
tie late Nr Cassidy's business, sold bis house
cad furniture. invested the money FOR the
widows benefit, and engaged an excellent
boarding place Tor Ter 90 no time.
Al me desired 20 do was % weep In retire
most for awhile and % visit every iitile while
tho crave. over which n storocutier had, 90
tie same active brother-in-iaw's command,
placed a marble shaft, engraved with tho
name and virtues Of the deceaso3-tlati and,
Of course. she must 90 % church.
There came a Sunday morning when the
widow stood in her long veil before her mir
ror. and decided that "black' became her
greatly.
She sat down and drew ON her gloves. She
remembered that, after all, 50 was no great
age.
Glow wicked Of me 70 think of It, she
said 10 herself "but wonder whether ever
shall do like other widows and marry againf
IL will be lonely. and poor Tom always said
that any one who had been happy IN one
marriage would surely make another. I've
been very happy-very. Poor IomP
She she'd a tear and took from glass on
the mantcl "a bunch Of tiny violets which she
had bought out Of pity from poor little
flower girl. and pat them in her belt.
Grape has such a close smell, ~ she said,
by way Of excuse "and no one will notice
them"
Just then
GOOD heavens, SELMA" cried a voice be-
l.f.I llf