The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-03-08
6eueral Mistfllany.
A Strange and Romantic Story.

John North Fenwick, Baronet,now of Fen
wick Hail, England, is the subject of
strangely romantic story in the Chicago Dem
ocrat, from which We condense an account of
the fortunes and misfortunes connected with
his wanderings through the world. He is
the child Of Sir John N. Fenwick, who, in
1887, married Clara Seymour, poor clergy
mans daughter, against the wishes of his two
sisters. The latter revenged themselves by
falsely charging Lady Fenwick with an init
macy with certain French count whom Sir
John had introduced to her at Venice, during
the honeymoon. Lady Clara swooned at the
charge, and her husband, completely carried
away by passion, and convinced that the sto-
ry told him by his sisters was true, ordered
her and the boy to be expelled from the hall,
and Immediately hurried to the seaboard. and
embarked for the continent. The unfortu-
nate wife became insane, passed some time
in an asylum, ultimately recovering under
the careful kindness of Captain O'Neil, who
had long loved her, and now besought her to
leave her cruel husband and share his for
tunes.
For long time she resisted his appeals.
but finally ascertaining that her husband had
taken steps to obtain divorce from her. and
that Captain O'Neil was her only friend, she
consented They went to Galway, Ireland,
where they were married privately, and took
up their residence. Her son, in the mean
time, manifested desire to travel, and his
mother furnished him with one thousand
pounds, which she obtained by the sale of
her Jewels. and placed him on board the s,ea-
mer Adriatic, with instructions to sail for
New York, and from thence to Texas, to see
a cousin of hers, named Some:ville, wealthy
planter, who resided there.
Without any misfortune, the youth arrived
at his cousins rancho, situated on the from
tier of Texas, where he received Il cordial
welcome. His cousin had daughter Eamed
Esteile, of about his own age, and very hand
some, with whom he fell in love, and in
whose society he passed six months. But on
one fatal night the rancho was attacked by a
party of Camanche Indians, and his cousin
and Estelle were murdered, and be carried
off into captivity. He remained captive
for three months. when, sclzlng a favorable
opportunity and tomahawk, he killed the
Indian with whom he was a captive, and es-
capped to Brownsville, Texas.
After many subsequent adventures, he de-
termined to return to Fenwick Hall, and
claim his right as son and heir of its lordly
occupant. BY the aid of the British Consul
at Chicago he became introduced to the
Prince of Wales, during the latters stay in
that city. The Prince took an interest in
Young Fenwirk. allowed him to accompany
him through the United States, and to return
with him to England. The wanderer return
ed home at most orportunc time ust as
one of his aunts, seized with remorse, had
made a death-bed acknowledgement of his
mothers innocence, and thus establishing his
legitimacy. Old Sir John folded his long
lost son to his heart, shedding tears of JOY
over him.
The health of Lady Clara greatly failed af
ter the departure of her son for America,an
Captain O'Neil took her to the South of
France in the hope of restoring it. But she
soon died. and not long afterward the captain
was killed in duel. BY will he bequeath-
ed his property, which was of great Va ue, to
his wite's son, John y. Fenwick. The young
man is now in Fenwick Hall, whence he ha,
written to his American friends, thanking
them for their many kindnesses, and sending
remembrances to his former companions
With such varied experience of life, aristo-
cratic and democratic, Sir John North Fen
wick, Baronet, may yet be man of mark a,
mong his compeers.