Year: 1872




No little talk has prevailed for some
weeks past, in fashionale circles at the
West-End, in view of an approaching
marriage between a well-knOwn gentle
man of immense wealth, member OF
one of our oldest families, andmoving in
the very best circles. Four-and-twenty
years ago, in a comfortable farmhouse in
the county of Limerick, Ireland, and on
one of the pleasantest spring mornings
that well can be imagined, was ushered
into existence tiny morsel of humanity
to whom, out of regard for its sex, was
subsequently given at the baptismal font
in the old parish church, the front name
of Mary.


Well, time rolled on, and brought
with each recurring season changes in
the fortunes of Mary's parents, till at
length they concluded to emigrate to
the land of the free and the home of the
brave. The project was accordingly put
into execution, and some years ago the
family arrived in Boston, and took up
their residence at the South -End--in
fact on Seneca street, where at present
some of the members yet reside.


Mary, however, is not here, for soon
after her arrival here, finding that she
must do something to earn her own liv-
ing, she sought and obtained a situation
as lady's maid, her mistress being the
wife of one of BOston's most aristocratic
citizens, q gentleman in whose veins
flows the blue blood of the Barclays, and
who can count his dollars by the hun
dreds of thousands. MaTy's situation in
the family was a very pleasant one; her
cheerful, winning ways soon endeared
her to her mistress, and between the two
a feeling of regard soon sprung up, and,
as their association continued, grew
stronger and more binding.


1t was, however, with deep sadness
that the maid within a few years OBJ
served in her mistress the insidious ap-
prOaeh of that curse of our New Eng
land cline, consumption, which fas-
tened on the estimable lady, and at
length carried her to the grave, her
death occurring about two years ago.
During her illness she was attended
with most exemplary devotedness by
Mary, who scarcely left the couch of the
sick lady for moment, anticipating her
every wish, and smoothing her pathway
to the grave by every little attention
that could possibly conduce to the com
fort of the dying woman. #


During his wife's illness the husband
was a sorrowful but attentive witness of
the care bestowed Oh her by the maid,
and, as subsequent events proved, keen
ly appreciated the young girls devotion.
Suffice it to say that one fine day not
many months ago, he sought a private
interview with the blooming maid of
Erin, and then and there revealed. the
love which burned in his bosom
Whether the fair one manifested any
surprise or not is unknown, but she
asked for time to consider the proposal,
and her request being granted, she re-
tired to the solitude of her chamber and
communed with her thoughts. IS


The result of her self-questioning and
meditation was favorable to the suit of
her adnfirer, for she reasoned, as many
before her have, that 'it is better to be
an old mans darling than. a Young
mans slave" and acting on that con-
viction she signiiied her acceptance of
the proposal of marriage. But little
more remains to be told. The happvl
suitor, anxious to cementhis happiness, |
insisted on an early union, to which bis
betrothed gave her consent, whereupon
he departed at once for Europe to order
a rousseau befitting his intended bride,
and to make arrangements for then mar
riage and honeymoon on the continent.


Those arrangements have at length
been completed, and Few weeks ago
Mary, the whilom maid, received a let
ter from her affianced, desiring her to
hasten at once to his rooms. She guickly
obeyed the summons, in compaIay with
her brother, and whoever is curious in
such matters viii find their names in
the Published list Of cabin passeng gers
who left this port last Tuesday in the
steamship Hecla.