The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-12-02
From the Christian Advocate.
Death of Mrs. Maffitt.

Considerable excitement has been produC.
ed in the community by the unexpected dealt
Of the young lady who was married Ia J. n
Mnliitt, in March of last year. Suce that C.
vent, which took place on the 30Ih ulIimo
| the papers have given various accounts of
the matter. First was said she died of'bil-
ious fever; then Ithat il WIS HE result Of
grief arising from something which occurred
soon nfler her unfortunate marriage with Nj
/ Maffitt'
! During the winter OF 1867, while Mafii
was carrying on his meeting in Ihe Ceuiena.
ry Church, Fanny PIERCE or Frances Smith
was attracted 10 the church in company will
several young friends, lay report that an ac-
Quantance had experienced religion there
| The result was that she continued to attend
until she became impressed. aud finally pro-
fsssed conversion aud joined the church as u
probationcr. Soon after this, Frances was
asked 10y friend OF Maflit, whom we shall moi
now name. how she would like to become
the wife ofMr Maffitt. The girl IN utter as
constituent, answered, 'Why, he is old c.
nough to he my grandfather The motives
were then laid before the mind Of The unstis-
pecting girl. Brother Mnfiilt was very pious
man. and the union would help her in her
religious course-shc would travel with him
and see the world-he was very popular
preacher, and mingled IN the best society
she would he perfect lady, and associate
with the most accomplished Indies in the ma
ton. Besides, brother Maiiid was rsry rich,
and lie would make her lnrge presents to he
gin with, and then she should never want for
anything which was really desirable.
When the girls ear was gained, matters
proceeded rapidly, but secretly. She was
conducted ut night. through the basement of
the Centenary Church, aud taken through
The window in ut the back door orIle Parson-
age, to, hold interviews with Maffitt. She
was presented with much costly jewelry, "A
costly rosewood piano, Sc, SC, all through
Matiit,'s agent in the affair. The result was,
that the plan succeeded, and the prey was Sc
cured. The first communication which the
mother ofFrances received touching the mat
ter was made 10y the same agent, and then
she was told that opposition was useless
Brother Muffitt and Frances were engaged,
and would he married at all events, and she
might as well consent and make the best OF it,
The marriage was cousunmated there be-
ing only thirty Scuen gears difference in tile a.
ges ofthe parlies--but il brought with II none
of the bliss which had been promised Fran
ces. As 10 religious influences, that had now
all evaporatcd. Not word did she hear up
on the subject from Maffitr, or those in hIs
service in the matter of the marriage, from
tho moment ofthe commencement ofthe irag
edy. She had been carried away with golden
dreams of elevaiion--her brain bewildered
with pbantoms but the period of her intel
lectual hallucinntions was Of short duration
She soon had to grapple with realities. But
we forbear. A portion of the history has
been given; but tile rest, and by FIR The most
mysterious and illustrative of character re-
mains behind.
That the poor girl was unhappy in her new
and unnatural position was an event that
might have been expected, but that she would
so soon fall n victim TO her misfDriunes has
taken all by surprise. She ever had perfect
health until her marriage, but for The last SIX
months she had been rapidly sinking under
the influence of grief and modification. She
was defhmed--the worst attributes of char
meter attributed to lfer--and many ofthe tales
Of her traduccrs, were, hy mistaken friends,
whispered in her ears. Her heart sunk and
life became burden. The functions OF the
brain became deranged, Rnd she died in con-
| xnlsiopS