Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-12-03
An Early Virginia Incident.

for spring from which gushed an abun-
dance OF pure water-was very quiet
community. There were couple OF
dozen married couples with children
some grown TO manhood and womanhood,
but most OF them still children. For
Bubbling Rock was new settlement in
the new colony Of Virginia, and old per-
sons are seldom pioneers. The inhabi-
tants cultivated the tobacco plant, at which
they made good living, and so long as
they were free 10 worship God in their
own way they were content.
But the peace OF Bubbling Rock was
destined to be interrupted. A man-an
unmarried man-came there from James
town, who taught the men OF the town to
which he came games of chance. He not
only won tleir money, but set them TO
gambling among themselves. This in
terchange of their funds with one another
would not have been Objectionable if it
had not.set etthemB quareling. Forthere
-is nothing that will so soon make enc
mics of friends as winning each others
money. Instead OF working, the men
were constantly gambling. and not only
was the tobacco neglected, but not day
passed but there was fracas.
When number OF men who had pre-
viouSly been fast friends had bloodied
one another's noses and one man had
been killed, the wives and mothers OF
Bubbling Rock put their heads together
with view 10 getting rid ofthe instigator
of the trouble. The deliberations were
behind closed doors, and the women were
pledged not to reveal the plan adopted.
Those were the days when the popu-
lation of Virginia was kept up and in
creased by shipments OF persons OF all
grades, from the younger sons OF noble
men to the most hardened criminal. The
highest and the lowest met on Shipboard
and on arrival scattered themselves over
the new country.
To the surprise Of the husbands OF Bub-
bling Rock their wives suddenly seemed
to take fancy to the gambler who had
made ali the trouble. They invited him
to their houses, and one or two OF those
having the most seductive tongues held
up before him the advantages OF matri-
mony.
"Get married." said Mrs. Ralston, "and
become one OF US. II is only as a hus-
band that you can achieve real happiness.
This is lonely country, and its loneli-
ness can only be done away with by the
companionship that's 10 be found in we'd
lock-"
"Where shall find wife ?" asked the
gambler. "There are five men 10 one
woman in the colony"
leave that to me-" replied the lady.
"I'll find you a wife who will guarantee
will change your life completely. She is
coming out from England and is due to
arrive within fortnight"
The gambler seemed grateful for the
kindly interest the lady took in his welfare
and expressed himself glad at the pros
pect of meeting her friend.
Ten days later ship arrived from Eng
land, bringing cargo OF women sent out
to be wives for the single men OF the
colony. Mrs. Ralston boarded the vessel
and was cIoseted with the captain for a
few minutes, at the end Of which time he
summoned a young woman, 10 whom he
said:
"You need not be put up with the rest
/ for husband. This lady will provide
for you" Then he left the two women
together.
Eunice Dargan, the young woman who
had just arrived, was rather small and
had mild blue eyes and golden tresSeS.
She was the comelieSt OF all the women
on the ship. Mrs RalSton took her ashore
with her and domicied her under her own
roof. That night she sent tor the gambler
and introduced him to her friend.
The next day the man for whom this
gentle lass was intended discharged the
cost of her transportation in tobacco and
there was wedding at the house OF Mrs.
RalSton.
That night the stiffness OF the settle
ment was broken by voices raised in an
ger emanating from the home OF the man
the lady had arranged TO make happy. A
man and woman's voice were raised
alternately in crescendo, the woman'S
constantly gaining the ascendancy, TILL
the sound OF some heavy weight striking
against the wall OF the house put an end
TO the mans side fthe argument. Then
the slamming Of door was heard and all
was still.
The next morning all the men in Bub-
bling Rock peeDed from their windows TO
see what had been the end Of the previous
bridal night amenities. Not so the women.
They were all posted. When the door
Of the gamblers home opened the meek
looking bride stepped forth. Then every
woman in Bubbliug Rock knew that the
gambler had vanished.
When the plan adopted by the wives
TO get rid ofthe gambler leaked out il was
learned that on the arrival of the cargo Of
women sent over for wives Mrs. Ralston
had asked the captain for the one bearing
the worst reputa on Of all. He had pro-
duced the blue-eyed ,golden-haired crea-
ture who looked as gentle as fawn. She
had troubled the police of London more
than any other person in that wicked
city. To get rid OF her they had sent her
to Virginia.
The problem remained to get rid of the
means by which the gambler was elected.
This was accomplished by giving her TO