The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-06-29

She did not reply Immediately, but in a mo-
ment she said quite clearly aud calmly
II met hun once-he was my friend
cannot tell you anything more about HIM"
Her tone and manner were quiet and firm,
and no one venturrd TO ask her any more qupS-
tionS. Her distress was so evident aud so deep,
that it checked them all and kept them silent
After little, the carriage drove away, and |
went back to my hotel
The stranger had left little baggage, a few
books, and some manuscripts. Mr. Stanton's
family made d!Ilgent inquiry OF all Della's for
mrr friends and acquaIntances, but none OF them
could tell aught about the stranger. No one OF
all her friends could recall anything that ever
seemed remotely TO connect her with the stran-
ger. Finding that he could learn colhing more,
and feeling bound by the promise he had made,
Mr. Stanton placed the five thousand dollars re-
ward at Miss DelIa's disposal, and it was by her
placed at interest and the income thus derived
served for her support. And the secret which
caused 50 much anxiety and inquiry she kept
locked in her own heart, and no human power
could tempt her from her fidelity.
Della never married Within a year after
the events described above, she went from her
Y, y, remote
station in the Old World.
81 shall neve. Ieturn," she said 10 me, on
the eve other departure. HYou may keep these
papers for your peEuSl, when | am gone ; and
when you hear OF my death, make what use Of
them you please"
Alter fifteen years OF successful labor, as
teacher, in one OF the mission schools in the
EaSt-suCCesStul labor. of which even a Chris
tan might feel grateful prIdr-she, too, yiel-
ded up her life for the good OF others; no, sud-
denly, and by violence, but the effect OF long
continued toll and anxious application wrought
ITS slow but certa IN work aud a: the beginning
OF the year Just closed, her life and labor terml-
mated, and can now reveal the history OF the
unknown stranger by whom her life was once
saved.
His name was Leonard Elwood, once a clerk
IN New Orleans. Pride and poverty, some
years before saw him, had impelled HIM TO
TO commit crIme-torgeTy, embezzement, or
some kindred act-and It's commission enriched
him.
During trip up the Missouri, about a ear
before the commencement OF my narrative, he
met with Miss Della Greene, who was travel
ing alone at the time an though their acquain-
lance was necessarily brief, they loved each o.
ther before the time of parting came. When
they parted, they were virtually engaged, and
constant correspondence was promised ill
they might meet again. She went To her home
in Western Missouri, and he to do his bus siness
IN the South. But during bis absence clue 10
bis crime-which had laid the foundation of his
magnificent tortune-had fallen nto the hands OF
an enemy-one who had long envIed EIwoods
nd SlHa j
trade. His ruin was sudden and compIete.-
With true courage, he wrote full account of
his crime and lis exposure to Dela-lt was the
trst letter he had wIlten-renouncing all claim
to her hand, and bidding her to forget him.
He managed 10 escape punishment but all his
property was lost and, without friends or mo
ney, be wandered away, hoping to find EN-
ploymrnt IN some obscure potion OF tue coun-
! try, where he might remain unknown. But
wherever he went for employ his ed
uCatIon aud business habits would, under ordi-
narR circumstances, have secured him SItua-
tion-the story OF his crime went also and
thus, driven from place TO place, be at last be-
came hopeless and deSpaiIing. Finding no
opportunity OF living honestly, and firmly re-
solved not TO live IN any other manner, be came
to the banks OF the Missouri on the same day
that Miss Della reached them on the opposite
| side. 1t was one OF those strange coincidences
that sometimes occur. Poverty, distress and
remoISe had IN one year, SO changed him, that
when they met she did not recognize him.
He placed in her hand the sealed note which he
had hastily written before he unertook the
periouS enterprise, and portrait taken during
the days of his prosperity. She remembered
him when he spoke. MY life is worthless, .
he said ''lf | can save you, it will be some a.
tonemrnt for the past. Do not regret my fate.
1t is the happest that could beial me. Fare
we'll"
They parted. He lies beneath the turbd
waters OF the Missouri; she, in 4 quiet grave
Oh the shores of the Esean Sea.