The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-24

the steamer between Alviso and that city,
ne was prematurely ushered into another
world by \ boiler explosion.
His demise left the lady single again with
one additional child. In less than a wear
she became lonely again, and her cattle
buyer, Mr.. Gordon, received her attentions
She seems 10 have been the wOoer this time
As Mr. Gordon had already fallen a victim
to the wiles Of some younger siren and was
contemplating union with the object of his
affection, 1t took all the powers of the widow
to win him from his beloved. But success
crowned her efforts, and so elated was she
over this triumph of her charms that when
No. had duly led her TO the altar and her
name had become Mrs. Gordon, a grand
feast was spread to celebrate her victory
The two made honeymoon trip to San
Jose and San Francisco. and everything
was arranged regardless of expense. Alto
gether. welded life with the fourth
spouse began very auspiciously and when
at last they settled down on the ranch the
feminine partner in the contract doubt
less thought she was permanently fixed
But fate had decreed that Mr.. Gordon
should not complete the list and il proceeded
fond kisses and sad good-b yes he departed to
the southern mines with a large herd of
cattle which we're for sale.
He soon disposed of them and, like a dut-
ful husband, turned his footsteps home
ward to rejun his faithful spouse While
gamble. and becoming drunk unwisely al
lowed the gamblers TO see his wealth. The
result was that lie was waylaid, murdered
and robbed, fate much too common for
travelling to be comfortable In those DAYS
HIS body was subsequently found in a well,
decomposed so as to be scarcely recogniz-
able.
FIFTH HUSBAND
The matrimonially experienced but I'M
fortunate lady was alone in the world again
A less dauntless person might have read
late In such sequence OF events and sub
mltted In sorrow to destiny's refusal TO
allow her permanent companion, but the
courageous widow was not to be discour-
aged thus, and did not regard four departed
husbands as any impediment in the way of
securing fifth. Though her misfortunes
and husbands had done away with a consid-
cradle portion OF her fortune she was still
very wealthy and no doubt that fact as
sisted her in securing q fifth partner Mr..
George Crane, her attorney, was the next
one TO succumb to the charms of the inter-
esting widow and her fortune, and
he stepped into the shoes OF the
seemed to smile at last for the
fifth alliance was blessed with two more
children and appeared to be a stable one
The sons and daughters OF the first mar
riage. who had been so wealthy in STEP
fathers. grew up. married and settled down.
After nine blissful years Of JOY, during
which he succeeded in using large part of
his wlfe'5 money, Dir. Crane was carried off
by an epidemic of smallpox, ana the old
LADY was for the fifth time widow. Sew
eral OF the children also fell victims of the
same disease, and as if to make up for
allowing the poor woman so much peace,
fortune shOwered still more troubles upon
her. The married sons and daug hters be-
gan to emulate the matrimonial example of
their one common parent, and there we're
m a q N pfo
Der descendants Financial troubles also
were added to her burden, and they re-
suited in her accepting 5000 for quit
claim deed to the ranch. Thus, for a paItry
$1,000, this immense tract of land came into
the hands OF its present owners, who are
among the great land kings OF California.
NOT DISCOURAGED.
Notwithstanding all her troubles the IN
trepid old widow was even yet unconvinced
that marriage was failure, and when one
Ave.lla, a Mexican, generously thinking OF
the 5000 remaining Of her fortune, offered
himself as an afliiiable candidate for her in
exhaustible affections she resolved TO forget
the i've who had gone oil before and make
another attempt TO solve the problem of the
desirability OF marriage as an institution.
The Mexican proved to be a drunkard and
gambler, and IL did not take him long to
squander all his wife's money. And then
lie failed TO provide for her Completely
destitute she applied for help to those who
MAD come into the possession of the vast
tract OF land once hers and was told il
would not be given while she had husband
Alter much trouble on account OF her in
ability to pay attorneys fees she secured
divorce. Her appeal for help was heard
ana the once Immensely wealthy woman
was supported by charity
Even now she did not seem able to live IN
single biessedness. A seventh husband was
taken to her heart. but proved no better or
more permanent than the rest They were
soon separated and the old lady once more