Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-05-01
A CURIOUS STORY.

lowing curious and romantic statement, the
entire truth of which is vouched for by the
writer, who also gives the names OF Governor
Morgan and the Chief Police as additional
guarantees of its correctness:
In 1856 Thomas Shotwel, young man of
respectable family, and the son OF wealthy
manufacturer of Leeds, England became ac
quainted with and married Julia Tilotson, the
only daughter of another rich manufacturer
of Sheffield. The union was sanctioned by the
paters and matters of both parties, and for a
few months the course of true love ran smooth,
and preparations were made by the young
people to set up for themselves, upon the
funds expected from their respective ssgov-
ernorS ~ but year after the wedding, the ell
der ShotwelI succumbcd to the financial pres
sure-he became hankrupt-and his family
worse than beggars. The young wife'S faith
er, finding his sonin-law penniless, set about
deviSng some means to get rid OF him, qui-
etly but effectually. The army in the East
were IN want of recruits, commission was
purchased for young Shotwell and he was as
signed to the-Regiment of Horse. Old Til
lotson, finding himself free from the incubus
of sspoor relation devised how he should
make the separation between his daughter and
her husband perpetu ual. He first procured to
be published in the Service Gazette a report
of the death of the younger Shotwell. and by
a conspiracy with post officers clerk in Lon
don, succeeded in interceptiou all communi-
cation between the youngsters.
In less than year after the publication of
young Shotwell's death. his supposed widow
was induced 10 marry again. and this time to
a worthy and wealthy sea captain named Post
engaged in the American trade. whom she ac-
companied to New FORK in March last. They
bad scarcely been there one month when her
second husband died, leaving her fortune of
some fl2 900. For some reason Mrs. Post
remained in this city, and boarded at a well
on Twenty fourth street, where we will leave
her to give history of her first husband after
his arrival in India. Not being able to obtain
any intelligence from his wife, whom be truly
and devotedly loved, he gave way to his pas
sons, and cndeavored to drown his grieis in
dissipation. The first news be received from
his wife was her marriage with Post. A ca
reer of dissipation followed this intelligence.
and in a drunken braw he attacked and maim-
ed superior brother officer who payfnlly
rallied him on his domestic troubles, for
which he was court martialed and sentenced,
but upon the circumstances of the case being
made to the Governor General, his sentence
was suspended, but he was cashicred and dis
missed from the service. He, too, found an
asylum in New York, almost simultaneously
with his former wife.
Having never been schooled to labor and
having no vocation by which to earn a living
"A stranger in strange land, outawed by
his own government-his case excited the
sympathy of Mr.. Wight, of the Par! Hotel,
who generously gave him home until he
could be put in a condition to earn for him.
self living. He finally was offered and ac-
cepted place as porter in large dry goods
house in Dey street, but his continued diss-
patton entirely untitled him for his business
that he remained but short time, his dis
charge necessarily following.
Under the circumstances it is not strange
that he should commit crime a forgery Of bis
employers name, his arrest and trial therefor. |
his conviction thereof, and sentence and i'm
priSonment followed in September last.
On the day he left the city for the State |
prison, he was visited by reporter of New
York daily, whose acquaintance he had form
ed at ''the Park and to whom he intrusted
a narrative of his life, and the custody of some
objects of curiosity and mementoes of affec-
them Bible of a very curious
and costly design and workmanship. s.That,''
said he, .swas present from Julia on our
day. | gave her one precisely like |
it. Take it-kecp it for me, and if | should |
not survive the term of my imprisonment |
send it to my mother in Leeds, with the I'M |
dying love OF her unhappy son. He was too |
agitated to say more, and sobbing last adIeu, |
was Soon his way to Sing Sing. Up to the |
time of his final imprisonment he had no idea |
but that sshis Julia, lie termed her, was |
the happy wife OF an affectionate husband, en- |
joying life in its fullness in Old England.
On New Years day, the reporter above re-
ferred to, in going the rounds of sscalls,'' Wis
tied the boarding house of Mrs. P, on Twen- |
ty fourth street, and while there accidentally |
saw Bible upon the centre table, the very |
copy of the one intrusted to him by the con- |
vict ShOtwell. He took up the book, opened |
1t, and upon the fly leaf read these words I:
:sJwiia, from Thomas, Leeds, Engtand."
Here was mystery, and just such an dne as
a reporter delights to contemplate and eluci-
date. So, calling the landladyto one side, he
asked her concerning the ownership of the
book, explaining his curiosity by stating that
he possessed one precisely like it, whose his
tory was a pecuiior one, and as he understood
there were but two books Of the same pattern
il existence, he desired to know IL these were
the two exclusives. He was informed that
the book was borrowed from lady guest for
adornment OF the centre table for this occa-
sion; and what was more, was told that the
o.gnc- would not probably object to an expla-
nation of the coincidence. Sending up his
card he was soon shown into Mrs. P.'s pres
ence, and with the characteristic freedom mot
Impudence) of a reporter, proceeded TO ex
PLAIN the cause of his yisit--to learn the his
tory of1hat Bible, assuring the lady that his
visit was not prompted by an idle curiosity.
Mrs. P. without reserve, gave snch informa-
ton as was desired and in an after converse
ton gave the reporter to understand that her
affection for her first husband, whom she still
believed to have died in india, was unchanged.
The reporter soon left, and it is unnecessary
% state that bis next calling place was at the
house of Mr.. e., the agent of a well known
European banking firm in this city. The sto-
y OF the two Bibles was told, and of
course Mr.. b. was deeply interested. He i'm
called upon Mrs. p and kindly
md carefully made known to her the story of
ler husbands misortunes, accompanying the
Intelligence with promise, if she desired, it,
hat no pains should be spared to secure his