Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-31
From the cIeve and II .ra!a. MAY %.

From the Cleve and Herald May &c.
n R"m9ntic st 'ry of Love aud War.
"The Course Of True Lore NeUer did Run
Smooth" but 'Al'S Well that Ends Well"
Many of those who on Thursday morning
last stopped to admire the handsome faces
among the carries dc giSite hung up at the en-
trance OF Ryder's Photographic gallery on Su-
perlor street, must have noticed the likeness
of a young and strikingly beautiful lady attir-
ed in mourning, and those of them who stop
ped later in the day for the purpose of again
looking at that attractive face, noticed its dis
appearance. With that portrait and its with
drawal from exhibition very romantic, but
true story is connected, of which we are at
liberty to give the outlines.
About a year ago the original of the portrait
lived with her father, well to do" farmer
OF the Grand river valley, Michigan, these two
constituting the entire family. The old man
was in rapidly failing health, and was DESTROYS
that his daughter should be married to a
neighboring young farmer, who passionately
loved her. The girl, however, had already
given her heart to young man whom she had
frequently met while she was on visit to De-
troit, and who was sincerely attached to her.
The lover was not in a position that would
justify his pressing his suit, and therefore the
engagement was kept a secret.
The old man finding himself gradually fail
ing in health became more urgent in his wish
that his daughter would marry his neighbor,
but she pleaded for delay on various preteXts.
BY some means the father at length became
possessed Of the secret of the attachment, and
without communicating the fact of his knowl-
edge to his daughter, he wrote letter to the
Detroit lover, pointing out the hopelessness of
his suit and stating that the lady was shortly
to become the bride of a young farmer for
whom she had been for years destined. He
added that an attempt to change this decree
would be giving the lady needless pain.
Immediately on the receipt OF this cruel
blow to all his hopes the young man enlisted
in Michigan regiment under orders to leave
for Washington, and wrote the lady brief
note announcing the fact begging her to for
get him, and bidding her farewell forever.
The regiment almost Immediately went to
Washington
The sad 2lst day of July, 1861, followed,
and when the fainting and disheartened SOL
dierS returned from the fatal field of Bull Run
to the detences on the line Of the Potomac,
the young Detroiter was not among them.
Nothing definite was heard from him, ard he
was supposed to have been killed. The sor-
rowtul news in time reached the young lady,
and she secretly mouIned for her lover as
among the slain. Shortly afterwards the old
man was taken sick, and lay on his death bed.
Some days before his death he again pleaded
with his daughter on behalf Of their young
neighbor, urging that if he could see her prop
erly CARED for in marriage he could die in
peace. There being no longer any reason for
refusal her consent was given, and the mar
rage was solemnized two days before the death
other father.
The ladv's vnddnd lif, r,as sbort IIor b,,e
band, who was very kind to her, and endeav-
ored to win her from her double sorrow, was
attacked by typhoid fever about a month after
the marriage, and died after a few days ILL
ness, leaving the young widow possessed of
considerable property.
As soon as possible she set about disposing
of her property at the west, in order that she
might join her relatives in New England. Dur
ing all this time nothing had been heard to
contradict the story Of the death of her former
lover at Bull Run. Her affairs were, after
some delay, finally settled, and she made a
round of visits to friends in the west previous
to going to settle for life in New England
Last week she arrived at this city on her way
east, and spent few days with lady friend
residing on the west side.
On Wednesday last, the young widow, ac-
companied by her friends visited Ryder's pho
some card Gkenesses taken, and this proved
to be an important step in her history. The
picture was so admirable likeness that Mr.
Ryder solicited and obtained the privilege of
placing copy in his show case at the street
entrance. On Thursday morning the likeness
made its appearance there, and, as we have
before remarked attracted considerable at
tention.
On that morning number of Michigan SOL
diers, taken prisoners at Bull Run, and set at
liberty on parole after nine months incarcera-
ton in southern prisons, arrived from Wash
ington, and remained in the city until the de-
palture of the Detroit boat in the evening.
During the day they amused themselves by
strolling around town. One of them, seeing
group of people gathered around the steps
near the Merchants Bank, stepped up to learn
the cause, and, like the others, turned to ex-
anime the photographs. Suddenly he uttered
an exclamation of surprise, looked closely at
the portrait of the young widow, and then
rushed up stairs to find the artist. Mr.. Ryder
being pointed out to him, the soldier brought
him down stairs and begged to know how he
became possessed of the picture, and an eX-
PLANTATION was given. In few hurried words
the soldier stated the cause of his interest,
obtained the picture from the case, and declar-
ed his intention of finding the lady if she was
anywhere to be found.
Fortunately Mr.. Ryder knew the lady who
accompanied the young widow, and at once
went with the soldier TO her residence. Both
ladies were at home. No sooner did the
young widow see the soldier than she Shrek
ed and fell in fainting fit, for her lover, that
she had supposed dead stood before her. He
had been taken prisoner at Bull Run instead
of being killed, but had refused to write to
any person, and his comrades in prison knew
nothing Of his friends or previous history, SO
that the fact of his captivity remained known