The Nevada Democrat., 1859-08-10
A Romance Of the Last Island CalamI,

A Romance Of the Last Island Calamity.
New Orleans Correspondence of the St. Louis Republ
can
A story strange and romantic enough to
seem the invention of an imaginative mind,
became known recently to few persons IN this
city; yet, however romantic Or strange II may
sound, the gentleman who communicated it to
me assured me of its absolute truth, aud gave
me the names Of the parties connected with the
affair. At the time when the terrible catas-
trophe occurred al Last Island, off the southern
coast of Louisiana, by which SO many unfortu-
nate people were swept bodily into the Gull by
the raging tempest. or overtaken aud drowned
by the rising flood that overwhelmed the low,
sandy key, middle.aged gentleman and his
family, consisting of wife aud two or three
children, were involved in the calamity.
In the midst of the thick gloom, the storm,
the confusion, and terror of the scene, the geu-
tleman became separated from his little family
and barely escaped with his life. The horror
aud distress of the poor man ut the sudden loss
OF his dear ones may be imagined by those who
love their own wives and children. For seve-
raj days his friends feared that his mental suf-
ferings wJuld deprive him of reason. and one
of them kindly invited him 10 make his home
at his house in New Orleans, for a time, hoping
that he would gradually come to look more
calmly upon the misfortune that had betallen
him.
It happened that with the family in which be
thus became domesticated was living young
and accomplished lady, Of 6ne person and man
ners, who having compassion upon the afflicted
stranger, took upon herself the pious duty of
doing everything in her power to alleviate his
sorrows, aud make him forget the past. She
played and sang for him, read to him, rode with
him, and finally laughed and joked with him
go ieeting and transitory are the greatest OF
human griefs when brought under the Influence
of the enjoymeuts aud delights of life.
In brief, she carried her consolation so far
that the gentleman became enamored, infatua-
ted, and offered her bis hand aud tortune.-
Whether she reciprocated his passion or wheth-
er the fact that she was poor school teacher
aud be wealthy planter influenced her decis-
ion upon his proposition, is not question pro-
per to be considered here. Suffice it to say,
that she accepted his offer, stipulating that, out
of due respect to public opinion; year must
elapse before their union should be cOnsumma- |
ted. As time passed Oh preparations for mag
niicent wedding proceeded. The gentleman
purchased splendid trousseau, laid out his
plans for a bridal tour and for their su bsequent
domestic settlement. and, in fact, everything
went on swimmingly until near the close of his
term of probation. The event Of u single day |
in this case, as in thousands OF others, served
to destroy in an instant his matrimonial schemes
though whether bis subsequent peace of mind
and happiness we're not promoted thereby, is q |
question. A short time previous to the day as
signed for bis wedding, he received . letter
from his wife-still in tle fesh-dated from Rio
Janerio. informing him that she aud one Of
their children were alive and well, and would
probably be in his arms within very short Pc
riod.
It appears that amidst the destruction and
chaos of the terrible storm in which il bad been
supposed she and her little ones were lost,
Madame - clung to her youngest child, and
when the waves submerged the Island, aud
swept away everyt thing upon il, she fioated out
into the Gulf upon certain fragments Of the
general wreck Drifting finally, after much
suffering, into the track of sea-going vessels TO
and from this port, she was picked up by an
outward bound vessel and carried TO Rio, no
opportunity occurring, in the meantime, TO
send her back to the States. The voyage was
q long one, and sickness had prevented her
from taking passage in the first vessel that sail
ed for her native land. and by Eome fatality
the letter which thus apprised him of her exist.
ence, reached bis hand but a. few hours previ-
GUS to her own arrival. What followed can
readily be imagined-how the sober, staid. mid
dle.aged gentleman. doubtful whether to be
or happy, broke the astounding
news to his unsuspecting afianced; how she.
poor GIRL went first into tears and then into
Mysteries, and was finally consoled by his Decu-
liar liberality. and how all parties ultimately
resumed their original positions, aud were hap
py, the wife not being permitted to know how
narrowly her husband had escaped slipping his
neck into q second matrimonial halter.