The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-22
quito while is now at his homo and 'mpr0v-
ing very much.
<WhYwARD DAUGHTER.
vr.. Watson Thought Len" was C'erH'nr j"
store. but She was Mistaken.

rnoro wero "scunds Of revelry by night
=, No tuo east Franklin street last evening
ooJ ,he l;ghts sparklcd from crystal cnan-
,o,,or. and cleaned on the crimson trappings,
lille tho loud laughter the rIbald song and
t 49,, onon lest mingled with the jingle of the
classes which were being drained TO their
dregs.
of the giddy throng. and yet few hours be-
| fore she was the principal IN one of the most
touching domestic dramas that ever excited
the human heart OF moved TO sympathy the
soul OF man.
in 1910 or '76 in Norfolk lived Mr. Watson
and his wife, To them girl was born. and
IN course OF time she grew to be child OF
unusual personal beauty. With the years
came falling heath .o.the fat her. and the girl.
then scarcely fourteen years OF aye. was com
PEELED 10 seek employment Last fan u
woman from Richmond named Mary CorDett,
who had known the WatsOns visited Norfolk
and told Lena and her mother Of splendid
place which she could obtain for the girl III
this city The mother WAS reluctant TO allow
the girl from beneath her constant care. put
Lena was sixteen aud pleaded t. 60 where
abe could do better. and with iond en-
brace and with -bedimmed eyes the
mother saw her depart. This was IN septenl-
Der. and for months Lena wrote cheeriui Iet-
tiers and sent her mother money. when, she
Byoad-street dry goods house. The letters
finally grew less frequent and fond. ana u"
anxious mother grew apprehenslNe. iter
anxiety developed into almost Suspicion.
and on Saturday night last the mother came
20 Richmond She visited the store IN cues
ton and was Mortified 10 find that Lena mad
never been employed there. description OF
the youthful and pretty girl at length brought
out tho startling and paiufcl fact that she was
now a resident at no 1919 east rankin street
After the regular session of the police court
Yesterday morning the mother and Lena. nc
companied by female companion who lives
in the same house with her were IN the pri-
vate office Of Justice Crutchfield Mrs Wat
son, with tears streamiDefdown her face, de-
plored the fact that she had not found her
daughter dead rather than in her present
mode Of life. She begged her daughter u
return with her 10 Norfolk but Lena was
obstinate and looked with stolid indifference
upon tue grief OF her IN Their and
with a forced laugh rejected the
upon ner. Justice Crutchield. Sergeant
George Matthews and Sergeant Thomas all
spoke earnestly TO the wavward girl and prof
tered advice and told her OF the inevitable re-
suit OF her course. The Justice told Mrs.
Watson that lie would send the girl 20 Nor
folk if she desired, but Lena declared her in
tention to leave her home at once If taken
back and the distressed mother finally agreed
TO leave her in her wickedness
Lena and her companion then prepared 10
leave, and az they reached the door the
woman turned and said Lena go and kiss
your mother good-by." Lena hesitated, then
approached her mother. and III moment the
two women were clasped in each Others arms
and were audibly sobb.ng. II was moment
when the gray-hared men around them
turned away and no eye was left undimmed by
"a tear. In a minute the scene was over and
Lena passed ont of the door and possibly out
OF the sight Of her mother forever.
Mr. Watson Is at present an Invalid IN the
ST. Vincent Hospital III Norfolk.
Justice Crutchfeld secured q ticket for
Mrs. Watson and she will return home this
mOrninp