The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-11-01
A STARTLING SURPRISE.

A curious circumstance has come to our knowl-
edge saws one of our Western exchanges recently
which though creating much talk among certain
parties has been hushed up much as possible,
and as it does not seem likely to proceed farther,
we suppress names. A gentleman and his wife
sometime since settled in Rockford; shortly after
their arrival they made among others, the acquain-
tance of a young and beautiful widow, who had the
reputation of being great firt. The gentleman,
up to this time, had been most devoted husband,
and though there seemed to be mutual attraction
between himself and the gay widow whenever they
met the wife confident of his affection, suspected
nothing Matters progressed, how rapidly she did
not know, until the beginning of this week, when
husband wife and widow were invited to tea at the
house of friend. 1t was an agreeable social par
ty, and the company were apparently enjoying
themselves highly, when the wife, who had been
chatting with friends on the piazza, entered the
parlor and seated herself in the shadow OF Wln-
dow, the heavy damask curtains OF which separated
her from tete-d-telc which stood in a recess Ife
parties occupying the tste-d-tee were ner nusCana
and the fascinating widow aHd what was her aSe
touishment when their low tones became fully au-
dihIe to her strained ears to find that they were
arranging the preminaries Of an eopement, to take
place that very night! Matters were to be ar
ranged so that the wife would be sent home early
in the evening, while the husband, in the most
natural manner in the world, would offer to drive
home Doautlful
however, they were to 90 Immediately to the cars,
and leave on the eleven o'clock train.
The discovery was so unexpected and the shock
so great that the poor wife almost tainted She
was determined, however, not to betray her knowl-
| edge of the guilty scheme until the proper time
came and recovering herself gllded from the fatal
seat and tried to enter into conversation as usual.
| OF course she not greatly surprised when her
husband soon after aectionately advised her to go
! |, NJ oy,1N Nyh IN
their way, as he himself had to 90 to his Office
shortly, and might be detained till late. She made
no objection but putting on her bonnet and bid
ding adieu to her entertainers started for home, to
the great relief of the guilty couple who had feared
some trouble in getting rid of her. Immediately
on arriving at home, the wife proceeded to pack
carpet bag with pile Of shirts, and other necessa-
ries, and started on foot for the house where her
husband still remained She hid herself in the
shadow of the trees, and waited, but not long
Soon her husband and the widow exchanged good
night with their hostess, the latter remarkiDg, In
a lively tone that she would "certainly tell his
wife. They seated themselves comfortably IN the
vehicle, when the wife without bonnet or shawl.
suddenly walked to the side of the carriage and
said quietly, at the same time holding up the car
pet bag: a
3D., don't 90 without your shirts, the mercy
knows when you will get any more"
The blank astonishment of the two may be i'm
aeined The simple words, however, produced the
most complete reaction ir the feelings OF the faith
less husband. He looked in the pale face OF his
wife, and met her clear gaze, and saw that she
knew all He said an, we must take Mrs. -
home, and then | will tell you how it happened"
They did take Mrs - home, and left her there.
The husband and wife seem atfectionate and devo-
ted as ever but the widow is dissatisfied with So
ciety at the West, and thinks Of going East this
fal