The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-19
4 Strange. But True story Of a EoS's
t0liar.

Strange. Int true story Oh " h"s
Collar
on Franklin street sixty years ago.
lived two little girls. 10 was not then the
fashionable part Of me town, thousH soIne
OF its best people had already bhll upon
IL large-rOOmcd. comfortable houses, sur
rounded boy lovely gardens, whose Naiu9
was not estimated by the inch as AZ
present. Eariy one lar May norilns
nanny" gently shook the niue ones
sleepine as only children can, and eH-
claimed. "Chllun az you an don GIT up
and dress this mint you CWine miss see
in- dat beautiful lady and her big uOrg-
you suUnely is'
10 added romonstrance was needed
than the prediction of such possible
calamity. IN an instant they We're Up;
each contending for nanny nelpIhl
service until az last tho Drown rlDDOha
tied on the braided hair, the finishing
touch was given to their toilets py
white linen apron, with many ruilles-an
essential pars of q little girls dress az
that day. Down stairs they HeW. opened
the front door, and at once established
themselves on their point OF observation,
the doorstep. Eagerly they looked up
the street. and anXiOusiy wondered u she
could have gone by. At last. I'm the dis
lance, her coming was nailed with de-
light: q lovely. graceful girl, whose air
as sho moved declared her hgh-bOrn
origin. by her side. keeping step with
his mistress, betraying certain pride IN
his neck adorned with "a broad brass COLI
lar. so bright that in the morning sun il
shOne ike gold. Not q move made by girl
or dog Was lost on the Watchlul children.
So entire was their admiration for both
the summons TO breakfast even, was not
needed as long as the faintest outline of
either figure was visible.
A short time after the children heard
with added interest that this fair lady
was even then preparing her rousseau.
AS soon as her lovers ship came into
port, now daily expected I'm Norfolk she
was 90 be- married, and when she knew
Of their ardent admiration they would 10
doubt be allowed 90 see her dressed IN
her bridal robes Delightful anticipation,
cherished and talked over with an their
little friends. Suddenly the sad news
came, the vessel Was safely anchored IN
port, but bringing the young officer I'm his
cOnin-dead Of fever I'm sight OF his home,
and al that II promised MIN.
DO has tea.a o4 s.. iulatAs me children
WeDt and tne bcrcaycd bride went %
her bed, choked past recovery, fingered
% few weeks yalnly striving 10 live for
the many who loved her. and then joined
Tie lover, without whom life was in
suppOrtable. While She was hOpelessy
80 relative from the country begged TO
take her dog home, his mOurnful looks
and cries added 90 the pain of those
near. Many months after his guardian
confessed reluctantly that ne had been
causht by a neighbor killing sheep and
shot.
Fouy-fve years passed and the sweet
brides only sister. then child. grew
Mp and married. once when induiging I'm
retrospect of these dark days she ex-
claimed. Ell I only had that dogs col
lar as % mement0 of my sister and Of
him. Why was IL not keptT
Her husband held position In large
irou works iu the city. and some time
after the utterauce OF this wish. then ap-
parenlIr for the impossible. he was hast
crng home at the end OF a busy day
when "a man. whose duty was 10 sort
scrap iron brought 10 The works for
sale. called 20 him. holding up a circlet
black in CblOr, saying. Are YOU not re-
lated To- these people, and read from
what had once been dogs collar.
Emory Mayo" How quickly the good
man possessed himself of this valued
relic. and with what emotions it was
welcomed by his wife, my pen fails to
declare
4 dccrcpld negro one Of her pension
ers. coming i'm soon after saw this col
lar that II had been his duty tn boy
hood TO keep bright recognized IL with
tender associations. and begged 20 be
allowed az once 20 remove the dark traces
of a burial for SO many years IL giitcrs
again like fine gold and SIS kept care
fuIIv r,-r- nnrf fnuei AFh"f 1nenl-
DRY Of the years long flown st brought
hl JOB aA Ola woman. once one OF me
little Girls. as she held Il reyerently, a
privilege not granted to many.
c. II. C.