The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-05-05
woman.s Love--A Beautiful Incident.

Six years ago, young man just en-
tering life, under the influence of rum,
committed crime against society
tried in this city, convicted and sent to
Waupun, where he served out his time
behind the prison bars. Before his
trial, fair girl had promised to link
her fortunes with him, and cruel was
the blow to her. But she loved him.
All through the six long years did she
wait, and wait for the day of his re-
lease. With true woman's heart she
believed him nnocent-innocen before
God, and like the magnet, she held on
her steady way, her heart pointing ever
to the future. Long were the years to
him. Slow passed the hours. Seconds
were minutes-minutes hours--hours
days-days weeks-weeks months
months years, and the years were like
ages. Every tolling of the prison bell
struck deep to his heart, and every
sunset took another thread from his
long skein. Nor were the hours less
weary to her. Hope, that blessed angel,
sat beside her by day, and reposed on
her pillow by night. Some there were,
who laughed at her holy love-who
sneered so meanly at her lover-a
prisoner, miles away. But little mat
tered it to her. Others might sneer,
she remained true to her heart and him.
Others might laugh-she wept. Others
might point to man in prison garb,
toiling away from morning till night,
but one star to guide him on. She saw
but the honest soul that might be saved
or lost-the woman that she was,
nerved herself to bear their gibes and
ieers. Blessed words came to him in
his lonely cell-wards of love-ofiiope
of kindness-and stronger grew the
heart of him who had truly his better
angel watching over his unbroken fu-
ture. Each word from her lightened
the hours as they slowly went by, and
larger grew the day on which liberty
was to come. Men visited him, and
with careless word or speaking eye,
threw into his cell maddening thought
on which his soul must feed, and tremb-
lingly shrink to the darkest corner of
its living temple. Then letter from
her would dash aside the dark curtains
and beckon him on to spot Of sunshine,
outside, and beyond his present reach.
So passed the years. Friends died,
and he wept over them. The sin was
long since more than attoned for, and
at last the little spot of sunshine crept
to his cell, and entering by the key-hole
of the door, led him forth into the
bright rays of liberty. He was con-
Quoted to the Office of the prison, by
McGaw, and citizens dress in place
of prison suit, given unto him, and
led into an inner room, where stood
she, who, years before, had promised
to be his. What meeting! 'Tis not
for us to speak of it. On the evening
train, the two arrived in this city, and
were, by one of our divines, joined in
marriage. We were witness to the
ceremony, and never shall forget it.
Never forget the eye moistened with
tears of happiness, nor the throbbing
of the heart that had so long waited
and trusted. Saved, Saved! May the
future be all the brighter for the dark
cloud that so long has hung over it,
and true friends be ever ready to lend
a helping hand. We believe in wo-
mans love-in woman's devotion, the
more after knowing to the facts above
stated. God bless the true heart, wher-
ever found.-1Miluoatk;ee Neacs.d e