The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1864-12-01

A UOmance Of fhe Draft-"Great
Expecfa1iOnS" Verified.
From the St. Lonis ]

recently cotnmsEceu Sustuess III thie 1i'J'
and who pot long previously, was married
TO young lady Of very respectable par
ents st about noon of the day on which
the publication of the list in which bis
name appeared, he was notified by one OF
the substitute agents of the fact that money
was on deposit with. him (the AGENT to
pay Tor his (the young mans substitute;
and before the day was exhausted the
substitute was procured, the young man
received his exemption papers, andreturn-
ed to his grief stricken wife. The sum
paid was $500.
This seeming eccentric proceeding was
not any great cause of perplexity to our
friend. inasmuch as he had from his youth,
from his very cradle. indeed, been the
recipient of bcunties from an unknown
source By which he had been supported
through his lettering infancy, impetuous
youth, ana collegiate course-having been.
left an orphan by the ravages Of the chol
era in 1913, and placed in one of the be-
nevolent institutions of this city.
He was put in the best schools as soon
as he arrived at proper age, and ever
since has been supplied with suficiencies
Of means for all reasonable demands; the
institution which guarded his infancy
being the trustee of the funds. All that
he was ever able to ascertain, as to the
author of this singular bene6cencs was
that ii came from near relative, and un-
der such circumstances as could not be
disclosed to him. Since commencing bu-
siness he had been able to live independ-
emily, and whatever SUNS re was inform
ed of bsing placed to his credit at his al
ma mater. he generously donated TO the
charity fund Bat when he was drafted
his hopes of the future became clouded.-
His wife wept upon his bosom, and his
heart sunk within him at the prospect
Too poor to pay substitute he saw moth
In loft to him but to be put into the front
and fight, perhaps die. Just IS life was
blooming into the glory Of its spring time
Under these circumstances, the ,.otifca-
ton referred to, as may be readily sus-
pected, produced the widest emotions of
JOY, and brought the sunshine back 10 the
young and respondent couple:
But the strange part Of the story is yet
TO be told; and it partakes so highly of the
romantic that we are 10th to relate the
facts as they came to us, without being
permitted TO refer to the excellent author
ity with which they came to us. Night
before last-two days after the examina
ton OF the young man--at about The hour
of nine, 4 carriage drove up to the door of
his residence, the driver Of which, after
ringing and entering. placed the f1lioxing
note in eur here's hand:
October 81, 1864.
Come With the bearer OF this. A dying friend
wishes to see yoa. Be quick or you may be too
lac"
Bidding his wife adieu, telling her bu
siness called him away for a short time, lie
stepped into the carriage, which rolled
away. and after driving for near half an
hour, stopped IN front of comfortable
looking suburban cottage. In 4 few mo-
mcnts he was ushured into q room in
which was every evidence of a tasteful but
modest luxury On low couch in the
centre ofthe room, lay an emaciated woman
Of perhaps forty years of age, who reused
froE1 ~ unrestfui doze opened her languid
eyes and looked upon the young man as
lie neared her
\ wild, peculiar expression lit Up her
Gountenancc, AID she seemed deeply at
fccted But the interTisw vas short, for
her strength was fast failing Said she
George, ] am dying. Youare my son.
! have been wicked but suffering has puri-
fed me; and because | an worthy to hope
Cor Gods forgiveness, have sent for you
tonight to see you and let you know the
mystery and history Of your life. Faith
e. -, who is here will tell you all. l
have supported you all your life, and 10
me you are indebted for your exemption
from the draft All ask is that you will
not curse the memory of your mother
For years / have lived secluded and cL-
d3lyorcl to retrieve the errors Of other
days. Be virtuous"
The dying woman had become exhausted
beyond the power Of utterancc, and not
long after breathed her last The young
man learned that she had been a notorious
character in this city; was divorced from
her husband shortly after her sons birth
the father having died about two years
after, previously placing the. boy il the
orphan asylum spoken Of. Knowing the
whereabouts Of her son, however, she SUI
perintended his education and furnished
means for his saeper mai1tainancc by her