The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-13
BENEATH THE LILAC BUSH.
Recalling n Romance of Life in New
Castle.

Recalling Romance of Life I'm New
Castle.
NEW CASTLE, Dec. 9-Special.-A
lilac bush in the rear of an old-styled
house at New Castle recalls to mind a
sweet little romance that occurred in
that quiet little city some few years
ago. The story told to The Sentinel cor
respondent is proven to be true and is
quite a pretty one.
Some time in 1872 a family named
Dun moved from Kentucky. Their only
child was daughter whose name was
Nellie Hazel-Nellie Hazel Dun A very
pretty name indeed for one so poor and
unaccomplished as Nellie Still she was
what might be termed a living beauty.
and anyone who had ever visited the
Blue Grass regions could plainly see that
poor Nellie Hazel Dun had not lost any
Of the charms which Kentucky women
always possess. She was rather tall,
dark, wavy hair and eyes of a beauti-
full dark blue. Her teeth resembled little
pearls as they were displayed from be-
hind two ruby lips But while she had
few accomplishments her beauty won her
many friends in New Castle Her father.
Steven Dun was a carpenter by trade.
and business. since he moved to this
town, had been on a boom. In fact
only a few years had passed until they
had purchased their new home and long
before this Ne,lie had been admitted
into society. She was a close observer
Of other peoples ways and soon became
accustomed to the Hoosier styles and
seemed as graceful as most any of her
companions. She had also displayed a
great deal of talent for music and took
the leading part in all the principal
social events of the town, in fact, all
her time was devoted to music, and.
although only nineteen years of age. she
had gained quite good deal of promi-
nence. She was always anxious to Sc
cure some new song and most generally
had them.
When Charles A. Gardner's new song
THAT Little Bunch of Lilacs'' was pub
lished, Nellie was the first in New Castle
to get II. She soon mastered the piece
and sang it for the first time at high
school entertainment. The consequence
was she captivated the entire audience
and stole the heart of wealthy young
man from Boston. The young man was
on a southern journey and just happened
to stop off at New Castle for the night.
His name was OrVill Harris and he was
counted in Boston being out of the
-Four Hundred" He had attended
many such entertainments and saw
scores OF beautiful women. but never in
his life did he see one so beautiful or
hear so sweet and gentle a voice as
Nellie possessed, and as the sweet words
of the song died away they still rang in
his ears and seemed TO build new born
fear in his heart. He retired immediate
ly after the entertainment, but could
not sleep. All the time that sweet voice
In, 10 nd
and form was forever in view. Forever
would he hear those words:
This little bunch of lilacs l will pluck for
YOU.
Tell me if you love me. if your heart be
Give to me a promise, surely you'll do
this,
Sweetheart. if you love me- answer with
a kiss.
All day long they were singing in his
ears. Orvil Harris never I'm his life
before felt so near TO any one person
as he did toward Nellie. He walked up
and down the streets the heXt day in
hopes of catching a glimpse of her.
but alas! all his looking was in vain and
late i'm the afternoon he returned to
the hotel to take the next train out of
he city. Spring was here now
and with it came Orvill Harris. He
stopped at the same hotel, but the
whole place was gorgeously Illuminated.
OrN1li asked what the matter was upon
seeing the place i'm such an unusual up
roar. He was informed that the young
people were giving a ball and that all
guests of the hotel were welcome. He
was ushered into the hall and face to
face he came with Nellie. His heart
leaped to his mouth. but OF course he
controlled himself and acknowledged her
acquaintance with the greatest of pleas
ure. She conversed a short while and
then started out. waltzing to the sweet
strains Of Bunch Of Lilacs." How that
piece recalled those days Just past.
Each chord stirred Orvill Harriss soul
the more. Time soon flew away and the
last dance had arrived. He escorted
Miss Dun to her home and asked to en-
terrain her on the morrow evening. She
gave him her consent. He called the
next evening, and soon learned that he
had gained a spot in Nelie's heart He
asked for further engagements, but
Nellie had to refuse them on account Of
the illness OF her mother. But he in
sisted so hard that Nellie finally con-
snted to let him call long as ne was
in New Castle Only one more week
had passed and they still were meeting
each other In the flower garden where
they could sit and tell their tales of
love on a rustic seat underneath the
branches of the lilac bush" Orvill
pressed his suit and soon they had ar
rangements for a secret marriage. A
Justice of the peace was called and un-
derneath the lilac BUSH" in the soft
rays of the May moon. they were made
man and wife Orvill left for his bust
ness in Boston to return in September
and take his own, sweet little wife back
with him. But while he was absent
Nellie's mother died.
Her father was getting rather old and
now that his home seemed broken up
by the death of his wife he concluded
to move back to Kentucky where they
all once lived so happy. But Nellie at
last told him of her secret marriage and
insisted upon him living with Orvill and
herself in Boston. Yes, he would go:
and then Nellie wrote to Orvill. He
came and took them both home And
now somewhere in the busy streets of
Boston live Mr.. and Mrs. Harris AL
though poor old man Dun is dead their
home is made happy by sweet golden
haired little tot who can Just sing
Little bunch of lilacs-
/ have plucked for you.
Tell me II you love me-
If your heart is true.
Give TO promise;
Surely you'll do this.