Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-07-05
A ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.
BY LAURIE TODD.

In New York, in 1896, my store was in Mai
den Lane, within three doors of the store of John
Mowatt, an extensive dealer in shoes. His
foreman was John Pelsue, who sat behind the
counter, stitching shoes and waiting on the Gus
toners as they stepped in. One day corpse was
found in the dock at the foot Of the street. The
coroner took the jurymen from the neghborhood
and among them John Mowatt, and his foreman
John Pesue. The corpse lay on the table in
the center of the ROOM Some of the iuryman
remarked that as soon as John Pelsue looked on
the corpse he started, turned pale, and looked
as If he was going to faint. He rallied, how
ever-but his subsequent movements OCCASION
ed some curious remarks. The jury having
rendered verdict by drowning, were dischar-
ged. Mowatt turned around to look for his fore
man, but beheld he was not there We stepped
out of doors, and saw him high up the street. on
half run when he quickly turned corner
All sorts of inquiries were made, but nothing
could be heard of him. This, with his turning
pale at the first view of the corpse, occasioned
some strange surmises among the Jurors for
many days afterwards. John Mowatt was
bachelor of thirty -five and Pelsue had seen about
thirty summons.
On certain day. about month thereafter,
lady in deep mourning stepped into Mowatt's
store, and asked for pair of shoes. While
John was trying how the shoes fitted, the lady
inquired
'sYou had man in your store John Pelsue
by the name-what has become of him?"
"Yes," said MoWatt, "but what has become
of him would give good deal to learn" He
then related the story as above stated.
'.Strange," replied the lady. "And you have
not seen him since?;'
':No," replied Mowatt, 81 have not seen him
since"
"Yes you have seen him." replied the lady.
81 certainly" said Mowatt, ''would not con-
tradct lady Of your appearance; but have
not seen him to my knowledge"
sWell them" said she, 81 am John Pelsue
and that subject on whom we held the jury,
was the corpse of my husband. My family
name is Randall, was born in Philadelphia
married, against the wishes of my parents,
John Conner, sober, industrious man, by trade
shoemaker We lived happily fortwoyears. He
took to drinking, neglected his business and once
struck me with liquor. We had no family, so
resolved while we were stitching shoes togeth-
er, to learn his trade and leave him. | soon
made passable shoe, when assumed the male
attire, came to New York, and you gave me en-
ployment as journeyman. The rest YOU
know" John told the present narrator, some
days after that on hearing this he was dumbfuon-
ded.
swell, madam" says John, "wha are your
plans for the future?"
81 have not formed my plans"
ssWell,'' says John, Il liked you as journey
man. and when foreman, was pleased, suppose
we go into partnership for lfe?"
In forty Eight hours thereafter they were mar
ried. She fine looking woman and might
have passed for twenty-five.
This perhaps, is The first instance on record
of woman's sitting as corener's juryman on
the corpse of her husband. The abovos sim
pie tale of truth. Twas witness to all the facts.