The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-12-14
A Romance i'm Real Life.

A romance in real life, Of deep plot
and thrilling denouement, is just new the
chief topic of gossip in Taunton, Mass.
The facts, as related by the Taunton Re
publican, are these:
1t appears that about twenty-seven
years ago a Captain Brown, whose family
resided in Malta peisett, was the oversser
of the estate Of Mr.. Henry L. Clifton, a
wealthy gentleman of Riehmend, Va.
From cause, which still remains secret,
difficulty aress between Capt. B. and Mr..
c., wherein the former considered him
self the aggrisvsd party. 10 revenge
himself fer the supposed wrong he stole
Mr.. Clifton's infant daughter, Chen but
six weeks eld), on the day she was chris
tened The ckild was brought to Matta-
pOisett, and secretly adopted by Brown
and his wife as their own. She was nam
ed Julia, and grew to be awoman. When
enly sixteen years old she married Mr..
Isaac o. Pierce, printer, whe learned
his trade in Fall River Several years
age they moved to Taunton, living for a
while at East TauatoA, but more recently
at the Green. Two children have been
born them, ens of whom is now living.
During this long period Mrs. Pierce has
lived in blissful ignorance of her high
parsntage, and Mr.. Pierce, whs took her
for better or worse, had never imagined
himself the husband of an heiress. He
abandoned the printers trade shertly af-
ter learning it, and fer several years has
earned his daily bread by the sweat eff
his brew at Mr.. Mason's works in this
city. This is their history until within a
very short time; now comes the deneae-
nlent.
Last summer, while Rev. Mr.. Talbot,
of this city was at Saratoga, he became
acquainted with Mr.. Clifton aud wife,
who, it appears, at the breaking out OF
the rebellion, converted their Richmond
property inte cash and moved to Balti-
more. In the course of conversation
with them Mr.. T. remarked upon the
striking resemblance of Mrs. Clifton to
a lady parishoner of his in Taunton.
Nothing particular was thought of it at
first; but on lis repeating the remark,
Mrs. G. inquired the age of the lady.
On being informed that she was about
twenty seven, Mrs. G.. Immediately said
to her husband, "Why, that wsuld just
be the age of our daughter that was sto-
len." The matter then received their
serious attention.
Mr.. Tablet was taken into their conf
dsnce, and inquiry instituted as to the
reputed parents ct the young lady. He
returned to Taunton; had conversation
with Mrs. Pierce in regard to her parsnt-
age; informed her of the Saratoga oon-
versation, which led her to ask Mrs
Brewn, who, she had never doubted, was
her ewn mother, if she really were such,
at the same time telling her the reason
Of the inquiry.
Mrs. B., whs had kept the secret Of
the child's parentags for twenty y-seyen
years, was so overcome by the question
and the development of facts that she
Immediately became i'll, and died Of tbs
heart disease. Before her death, how
ever, she acknowledged that Mrs. P. wa.
net her own daughter. Capt. Bro 6n died
number of years ago. Within few
weeks the affair has developed itself rap
idly. Mr.. and Mrs. Clifton and Mrs
Pierce have mat each other; and the elc
colored woman, who cursed the abducted
infant, has recognized Mrs. Z. as then
real child by ''msle on her shoulder /
, he identity of their lsng-lost daughter
having been fully established, Mrs. Pierce
and her husband have been invited to liv,
with the Cliftons and share in their wealth
and this they are preparing to dc, hatlnl
broken up housekeeping and disposed o
their furniture. The cream of the affai
is that Mrs. Pierce is an only child, an'
therefore sole heiress to an estate said t.
be worth hundreds of thousands if no
millions of dollars. or as an cid lad
friend of Mrs. Pierce expresses it, ''
t1ife less than two millions"