The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-09

more than the latter was j" bea'
vile. however, she was always hhown
as Mrs. Martin. From ina, ',iie on 1.e
woman plunged deeper ana ueeper Ineo
vice, until within few year, me- mas
scarcely a trace left OF her FORMER
beauty.
Through GONE strange freak OF caprice
soon after her removal TO Leadyille she
compelled the boy TO perform The duties
Of charwoman. sending him about from
one house TO another where the services
OF such a person were requlred. Al
length. however. another idea seized her
between the ceaseless beatings which she
gave 10 her hapless charge ana mere
soon appeared upon the scene broken
down dancing master, VINO began Vlsor-
ously. under the womans "atchIul eye,
TO teach the child a little piano playing
a little singing and a great deal Of dane
ing. for ali of which the little fellow
displayed from his FIST lesson such re-
narkable ATTITUDE that in few weeks
the variety theatres of Leadville were
ringing with his praise, and bags Of gold
dust. amounting In all 10 a comfortable
fortune. were thrown at MIN nightly by
the miners who soon grew 10 De very
fond OF him, and 10 LAVISH thelr treas
ure upon him in a manner peculiar 10
mining regions. This gold dust the Mar
tin woman instantly TOOK possession Oh,
not even allowing Burton the srnallesl
sum OF spending money, ana promptS
investing it. together win means OF her
own. in Leadviiie property, WHicH even
tualIy made her rich. Much OF TINS
propertv is now standing ownerless and
unusued in Leadville. since the woman
death. which occurred in 1881. because no
one exists who is thought TO have any
legal right to IL. In one OF the principie
business blocks in Harrison avenue
which formerly belonged 10 Mrs. Martin
people are living rent free, because the
building is not controlled by either agent
or landlord.
MAKING MONEY OUT OF HER CHARGE.
About the year 1873 the Martin woman
began a tour OF Colorado Win the DOy
who had now achieved local lame. Among
other points touched 10y this curious star
and manager was Mdnit0u, the beauu-
full mountain resort lying adjacent 10
Colorado Springs. Here, Oddly enough,
the woman assumed the gulse OF ldu'
as regarded manners, speech ana dIess'
with the result that she had soon ar
ranged for her protege to appear III inc
parlors OF the leading hotels in little
entertainment he had arranged himself
and in which he appeared unalded. Inc
most elaborate of the small VelFet SUITS
left by the English woman now came
into good play. for the eye OF fdShfdh, as
represented by the tourists then staying
at Manitou, was upon him, ana he had
quaint notion Of prOprlety. NO sooner
was the first entertainment over than the
little fellow became a lion. lie was IN
vited everywhere, and by the best peo-
pie Mrs Martin had the good sense TO
remain In the background for excellent
pecuniary reasons. and the result was
that the boy was not only taken on all
the delightful excursions which that PIC
uIresdue region affords, but was even
taken to Denver with the theater par
ties. which were composed OF gay peo-
pie. who occasionally went TO the capltai
for a nights amusement
Mrs. Martin, who had reaped golden
harvest at Manitou. suddenly determined
10 90 back to Leadvile. AS II her spas
modic season Of virtue had been too much
for her, she plunged, upon her return 10
the Carbonate camp. into sun greater
excuses Her treatment or the boy De
came worse than ever, and doubly nau-
seated with his surroundings since his
experience with the better class, ne
speedily resolved TO run away This ne
succeeded in doing, and on reaching
Denver went to the house Of poor
washer-woman whom he had previously
known. She was unable. however. be-
cause of her poverty, TO care for HIM
but he finally found home with kind
hearted doctor.
Mrs. Martin suddenly turned up there
in a few days. but made no objection to
his remaining with the doctor She re-
fused utterly to divulge anything regard
ing his identity. but in parting gave him
a curious. old-fashioned gold watch set
with diamonds and Nearing coat-of-
III i'm iph no of
use to him some day. She then returned
to Leadyille. and that was the last the
nam eless lad saw of her. Shortly after
ward he took 10 the stage. on which he
has now made an enviable name, but.
although he is constantly pursuing his
injuries, he has as yet found no clew to
his identity or parentage.