Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-05-20
A BIT OF ROMANCE,

:
ter died, leaving an only heir, a daughter, who
was not quite seventeen years old. She, to-
gether with her fortune, was placed in the
charge of guardian, who was distinctly rela-
ted to the family. Her fortune, and her re-
markable beauty, attracted the attention of
many suitors, among which was an accomp-
lished young man from ST. Louis, whose only
wealth was his profession. His handsome per-
son and fascinating manners won the lady's
affections, and without the knowledge of her
guardian, they were privately married.
Shortly after they removed to ST. Louis
where they lived together happily for a time,
and bright future seemed-to be before them.
At the expiration of the year, the lady having
attained her majority, they returned to New
Orleans to claim her fortune, and live in the
splendid old family mansion. They were cold.
ly received by the occupant, who deliberately
informed them that the estate had passed into
other hands. They at once applied to the law
for redress, and going through the protracted
formalites Of two or three fruitless suits, they
were left penniless, and obliged to abandon
the case. Frendless and dispirted they re
turned to st. Louis, where the husband, like
many other husbands, tried to drown the re-
membrance of his disappointment in the fatal
cup. His wife entreated and admonished in
vain. A separation was the consequence, and
the husband became more reckless and dissi-
pated than ever. Driven at last to despera-
tion, the wife applied for divorce, obtained
it and retired to convent. This restored the
wretched man to his senses he abandoned his
former associates, returned to the path of vir-
tue, and became a respectable and Industrious
citizen.
A few months ago, the lady received let
ter from the son of her former guardian, in
forming her of his determination to make full
restoration, closing with an appeal to her to
forgive his misguided parent, and to come to
New Orleans and receive her fortune. She at
all her inheritance together with the accumu-
lated interest, was restored 30 her.
Now comes the strangest part of this extra
ordinary affair. The young man offered her
his hand in marriage, and plead with all the
earnestness of impassoned love. He remin-
ded her of all her childish attachment, of his
deep anguish when she became the wife of a.
mother, and of the long years of his silent sor-
row. All these remembrances came up before
her mird, and gratitude plead eloquently in
his favor; but at last the wife triumphcd over
the woman. She thanked him and gave him
her simple blessing-told him she had loved
but one and could never love another. She
cntreated him to take back all her fortune,
and permit her to return to the convent. Find
ing her resolution unalterable, he consented,
on condition that she should postpone her re-
turn one month. He Immediately wrote to
the former husband, who was ignorant of what
had transpired, offering him a first rate situa-
ton, on condition he would come immediate
ly. The letter was signed by the principal of
a we'll known firm, who was apprised of every
circumstance in the case. AS soon as the let
ter came to hand, the overjoyed recipient took
passage for New Orleans. He presented him
self at the place designated in the letter, and
at once made him elf known by showing his
credentials. He was conducted TO the resi-
dence of the generous heir, where he was in
formed, the writer of the letter waited to re-
ceive him. His name was announced, and he
was conducted into an elegant parlor, and
there, alone, he met the woman he had neg
lected and dishonored-the woman who had
been forced to leave him, but who could not
quite give him up.
A few days afterwards the city papers an
nounced the marriage of Mr. and Mrs..
The estate was restored to the lawful owners.
and the reconcled couple, made wiser and bet
ter by adversely, are now living happily to-
gether.
1t is good to turn sometimes from the cares
and turmoils of politics, and contemplate hu-
man nature rising up from the depths of mise
ry and despair, casting aside selfshness, and
reaching that standard of purity and happiness
which so few attain.