Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-09-17
The Deserted Wife.

story, for | am almost sure it would tell OF ma
tired, change and DEATH ,"
These were my thoughts as looked upon on
who had been for few hours installed as
seamstress in pleasant little room in the hous
of a friend. A few questions elicited the stor
| wished so much to hear, and from others
learned what she did not relate.
Hers was an English home, and how much
comprehended in the term, in the land of ances
tra castles and rural cottages, which centurie
of fond associations have hallowed; and hel
husband was her ideal of manly beauty, and il
his bosom her womans heart had found rel
uge. she hoped, she believed for life. She hat
no fears-their freside was ever cheerful, ant
children danced around it with no thought
change. 1t was one of those calm quiet house
so thickly scattered over English soil, where lux
ury is stranger, and comfort presides with sucl
staid and homely dignity.
Pity that restlessness and the spirit OF adven
ture should have entered in to drive away con
tentment, and destroy forever the harmony tina
bound family together.
They were not rich and the husband hat
heard of the country beyond the seas, and re
solved to try his sickle among the golden har
vests of the New world. 1t was therefore con
cluded that he should first go and spy on
the land, and the mother and little ones shoult
follow. Besides, the baby was yet a aoee thing
and its life might be endangered by the fatigue
and changes of voyage and travel.
Amidst many tears and prayers he bids fare
well to home, and friends, and country, and EN-
barks. When those who are left behind re
ceive tidings of good cheer, and now they arr
encouraged to think pleasant home in more
fruitful land will awaint them. Months pass
way: and atlength they are summoned. The cot
tage has been sold, and everything that could b,
converted into money has been exchanged TO-
gold and transmitted to aid in preparations to-
their reception, and now they have just sutil
cent to transport themselves, when suddenly
thew are informed that reverses have made Il
necessary to defer their coming, and they mus'
patiently tarry little longer. They have NJ
resources. and must take refuge with thel
friends.
Alas it is weary waiting for tidings that viii
never come, and never again did letter OF love
or interest beam upon the little unhappy group'
whose hearts were yearning towards him they
mad loved, and feared was lost, and towards
whom their hearts had never dreamed of chang
ing.
and INQUIRIES which were sent forth, it was con.
firmed to the wife and mother that tie husband
and father had neither provided her home, mol
hoped for her arrival single day after setting
his foot upon foreign shore. He had changed
his name. and given it, false and unworthy a.
it was. to another, who had become his wife
within q week after his arrival. He had become
acquainted with her on the voyage, had conceal
H. olo+ nd
BILE to wish ever again to see those he had LET
at home Yet for several months ne wrote OFT
en- and kindly, saying 'My dear wife and belov
ed children" lie had not only deserted, ou
deprived her of any means of support-had IN
vited her to como, merely as pretext Tor re
questing the disposal OF her effects, and the Tor
warding of the money, and when all he coule
demand had been received, advised her to wal
till she should hear from him again, and for thi
allowed her to wait forever. This was the wa.
she was loved, and cherished, and protected b.
: one who had taken upon him. the solemn VOW
which bound him to her until death.
What prompted wife thus injured to follow
him. we do not know. She could have no hop
of good, and must expect certain evil. Yet sh
came. After much searching she found th'
residence Of one bearing the name he had as
sumed, and by testifying before the proper au
thorities, obtained an officer to accompany he
on her mission oft must have be been re
venge.
How he looked when she stood before him
the imagination can easily picture. lie listened
to her reproaches, but he made no reply, ant
like weak, dependent woman, when the law re
ouired him to leave the unlawful wife and agail
take care Of her, she assentcd to such bargain
Then followed the tragic scenes which must o
course attend the revelation of so much iniqulty
She who had become his wife, not knowing tn
existence of another to whom the same rights be
longed, was frantic, and the recriminations whicl
she uttered developed depth of guilt in hin
who had deceived both, that we'll might hav
prompted each to congratulate herself on tn
discovery, and desert him henceforth and forev
er. But alas woman in her dependence, mus
sacrifice honor to necessity. She cannot tax
care of herself, and starvation seems the onl
alternative. So shewhom the law denominat
ed wife, placed herself again under the protec
tion OF one who considered her a burden, love-
her not, even for her children's sake.
He resolved now to remove to western cit,
and the foolishly-trusting wife dared to dream @
happiness. or at least of comfort. They ha
been one day under the same roof, father, moth
err and two children, when the wife found her
self again alone with one little boy. Her trunl
had been riAed of its most precious contents
every cent of money had been taken, and tn
Oldest son was allured under the pretence of
little excursion, to accompany his father til
theywere beyond the reach of pursuers, an
then told they were never to return. 5
here again was the poor woman deserted, de
ceived and helpless, farther than ever fror
friends and more utterly bereft of hope. /
countryman heard of her distress, and upon ar
pearing before her proved to be an acquaintance
and with him she took refuge till restored t
consciousness, and decision what next to dc
She was advised to seek information concernin
her child by advertising, and her inquiries wer
answered by one who said he had seen per
sons answering to the descriptions she gave, an
after series of persevering efforts and dap
pointments, the son was restored to her. Wit
her two chill dren she then returned to Ney
York. Soon the intelligence followed her tina
her husband was dead, and she was advised t
return to England and avail herself of the ad
yantages of an institution established for til
support and education of fatherless children
By becoming the ships seamstress she worke
her passage, and had Just seen her sons securel
placed in position which could secure to ther
the highest advantages, when there came posi-
tive proof that her husband was still living
Sad intelligence! By the laws of the institu
sutton none could be received except orphan
and the worse than widowed mother was obi ie
ed to relnquish hope which had in some meas
ure restored her strength and cheerfulness, an
retake her children when she had no place t
lay her head.
She must have been friendless in her ow
land as we'll as this, or she would not again hav
traversed the waters, and resolved upon seek
ing an asylum and assistance among strang
people. She could expect only vicissitude an
poverty, and yet she came. But she was COZ
tent to make no more efforts to find faithles
husband, and placing her oldest son as an az
prentice to profitable trade, she endeavored
support herself by common needle-work, j
which she is evidently not expert. and exper