Part 11 (1/2)
CHAPTER IX
_An accident--a suicide--and a change of residence_
A dreadful accident abruptly terht, while she was dressing in her private room at the theatre, a caly burned Her beauty was destroyed forever, and her career upon the stage was ended Thus was the public deprived of a htful source of entertainment, and thus was a popular actress thrown out of the profession just as she had reached the pinnacle of fame, and just as she was in a fair way to acquire a handsome fortune
It would be irief, consternation and horror of the unfortunate lady, on account of this melancholy accident
In vain did I attempt to console her, she refused to be comforted She abandoned herself to despair; and I caused her to be closely and constantly watched, fearing that shepublic soon found a new idol, and poor Mrs Rayured, and it was very fortunate that her sight was not destroyed When she becaain a situation as a teacher of music; but she was unceremoniously rejected by every person to whom she applied, on account of the repulsiveness of her countenance This of course, still further increased the dark despair that overshadowed her soul
”My friend,” said she tosurvive this terribleput an end to s”
”Come, come,” said I, ”where is your philosophy? Have you not passed through trials as great as this? While there is life, there is hope; and you will be happy yet”
I uttered these commonplace expressions because I knew not what else to say Mrs Raymond replied, with a e of the world, you know not hooman feels when she has been suddenly deprived of her beauty The miser who loses his wealth--the fondchild; these bereaved ones do not feel their losses more acutely than does a once lovely woman feel the loss of her chare is er fair friend very often, but all nally failed She persisted in declaring that she was not long for this world; and I began to believe so myself, for she failed rapidly I saw that she was provided with every comfort; but alas! happiness was beyond her reach forever
One evening I set out to pay her a visit On my arrival at the house in which she had taken apartments, the landlady infor the whole of that day
”It is very singular,” remarked the woman, ”I knocked five or six tiave one out”
These words caused a dreadfulterrible had happened, I rushed up stairs, and knocked loudly upon the door of Mrs Ray returned, I burst open the door, and my worst fears were realized, for there, upon the floor lay the lifeless form of thatarsenic
This dreadful event afflicted me more deeply than any other occurrence of my life I had becoeniality of disposition between us We had travelled far together, and shared great dangers That was another link to bind us together Besides I admired her for her talent, and ether, a most extraordinary woman, and, under the circuical end should have caused withinfollowed her re that I was very accustoe in a little serious reflection, the result of which was that I detero to Boston, for New York had becorand storehouse of American literature--the ”Athens of America,” and I doubted not my ability to achieve both faly went On the first day of my arrival, I crossed over to Charlestown for the purpose of viewing the Bunker Hill Monu satisfiedoffice, fell into conversation with the proprietor, and the result was that I found ed at a -established weekly newspaper of limited circulation, entitled the ”Bunker Hill Aurora and Boston Mirror” This journal soon began to increase both in reputation and circulation, for I filled it with good original tales and with sprightly editorials Yet no credit arded to me, for my name never appeared in connection with ined that W----, the proprietor, was the author of the iad!” the subscribers to the _Aurora_ would say--”old W---- has waked up at last His paper is now full of tip-top reading, whereas it was formerly not worth house-room!”
Howwith their pens and brains for the benefit and credit of ungrateful wretches without intellect, or soul, or honor, or common humanity! Charlestown is probably the meanest and most contemptible place in the whole universe--totally unfit to be the dwelling-place of anyto the _Paul Pry_ fa thein to float about like feathers in the air ”Who is he? What is he? Where did he coot any money?_ (Great ele?
What are his habits? Is he a temperance o toto? What are his politics? Does he use profane language? What tiet up? Wonder what he had for dinner to-day?” &c, &c, &c
During my residence in Charlestohere I lived three years, I became acquainted with the celebrated editor and wit, Corporal Streeter, as hbor I dwelt, by the way, in an old-fashi+oned house situated on Wood street Two ancient pear trees sadly waved their branches in front of the house, and they are still there, unless so hand has cut them dohich Heaven forbid! If ever I re-visit that place, I shall gaze with reverence at the old house--for in it I passed some of the happiest days of e” The squalling cats of that neighborhood afforded me a fine opportunity for pistol practice
At the end of three years, I had a slight ”” with Mr
W----, the proprietor of the Aurora, one of the most stupendously mean men it was everthe owner of the only newspaper in Charlestown, alias, ”Hogtown” Having civilly requested Mr W---- to go to the devil at his earliest convenience, I left hiust, and shi+fted ely in literary pursuits, and began to write a series of novels These ell received by the public, as every Bostonian will recollect
In ot into difficulties
CHAPTER X
_Six weeks in Leverett Street Jail_