The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-12-05
Strange Romance.


Strange Romance.
The ST. louis Bulletin says We have
been placed in possession of the outlines of
a strange story, which has almost too much
Munchausen about il TO seem true, yet, We
are informed, it is substantially correct In
the summer of 1853, John Hard wick, poor
mechanic of Pitlsburg, was induced by the
gold excitement then raging, 10 try his luck
in the mines oil California. He accordingly
left his wife and Two children behind, and
took passage around the horn for the +!
Dorado. On arriving there his money had
given out, and he was obliged 10 90 10 work
at a mere pi,ance, 10 keep from starving
He made his way however, as fast as he
could and, having entered into partnership
with another man, commenced the working
of claim Hardwick prospered, and be
gan TO think that, al the end Of the year, he
wonld be able 20 go home with large pile
of dust. Human calculations are some
times wrong. MIR Hardwick's calculations
were wronc-for he was taken sick and
came near deaths door
sWhen he got well his partner had de-
parted, and taken with him the earnings OF
both. The poor man was almo-t dis
couraged. He had been away from home
eighteen months, and had sent nothing back
TO his family. He wrote 10 his wife, giving
her true statement of his condition She
never received the letter, and consequently
he never received any letters from her
Hardwick went 10 work again but The times
grew hard and he earned bul liitle. He fire.
ouenlly wrote 10 his wife, but she, strange
10 say. never received Il single line from
him. Il is needless 10 90 through every
particular of his history-suffice it 10 say,
that, hearing nothing from his wife, he con-
cIuded that she was glad TO get rid OF him.
and would not trouble herself TO write 10
him. He therefore determined 10 stay in
California till he was rch, and then retnrn
TO the Atlantic States. He set himself 10
work assiJuously. and male money. His
business relations were SUCH after few
years, that he could not leave California,
but stayed aud accumulated handsome
! fortune.
In The meantime, Mrs. Hardwick, think
| ing her husband was dead, after three
/ years, married another. and emigraied 10
! ST. Louis Her name became Mathews
! Her two children, of whom John Hardwck
/ was father, died, and all traces of John
were obIitera;ed, except from very re-
/ mote corner OF her heart. Mrs. Mathews
was good wife TO her second husband, sc
! Ear as we learn. and bore him TWO children
Mathews was in the grocery trade, anc
throve well, but about year ago he wa:
taken sick with fever, and died, leavin:
Mrs. Mathews and The children without
protector, as she thought, bu, with snut
income.
John Hardwick, tired of California life
and tired of business, TOO, collected togethe
his effects, which amounted 10 nice for
tune, and started for home by The overland
route. He arrived in his city two week:
ago, and remained few days 10 rest befor
taking The cars for Pittsburg
One morning, while walking through
Broadway market, MIR. Hardwick saw
familiar face. 1t was The frs, familiar fac
he had seen since he had left San Francisc
and that face belonged 10 woman. h,
quickened his pace, aud came up 10 tn
stall where the lady was about 10 purchas
beefseak Mr. Hardwick's heart bea
wildly beneath his waistcoat. Coulc it b.
possible No. "What should Jane be dc
ing iG 81. Louis e. thought he. He wa
abont 10 tu.n away, when the lady raise
her head, and their eyes met "John Hard
wick, as sure as am living ' exclaime
she. ''Jane, is it yon!'' said John.
proved 10 be both of them, and after mutua
explanations, MIR. Hardwick accompanie
The lady home, carrying her market. baske
for her Two children met them at III
} door. They were blue-eyed and rosy
eheeked-just like those John had lett be
} hind, and Just as large-bni they did M
have features like Johns. "What matter
it," thought our hero-"my two childre
: are dead, and these are sent TO take the
places-I will be father 10 them" Nj
John Hardwick was as good as his word :
He helped Mrs. Maihews-formerly Mr
+ Hardwick, and destined 10 be again
dispose of her property then calling
. clergy man. they had the matrimonial lin
: tied again strong and fast In two da,
{ they started for The East, where, we hop
in Pittsburg, or some other delightful tow
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