Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-04
alnipu aud SmfrifaH.
A Romance in Real Life.
ElOpement Of a Lady with an Exon
federate officer.
A STRANGE DENOUEMENT.

command, and had served throughout the
war with fidelity and dictincti0n. In Cen
eral EARLT's last great disaster in the Val
lev, Captain -- was badly wounded, and
vas shortly afterwsrd removed TO one Of the
hospitals in this city. His condition was q
very precarious one, and the patience and
cheerfulness tn which he bore his suffer.
ings attracted the attention Of a lady who
was visiting tie wards. The lady in ques-
ton. the wife Of an estimable citizen, was
then about twenty-five years Of age. She
had been married for some years, and had
one daughter, then about five years old
Mrs. -- was exceedingly fascinating and
attractive, and an ardent SOutherner, having
labored increasingly in contributing 70 the
comfort Of our soldiers. All her sympathies
were awakened by the sad condition Of the
wounded officer, and she took him under her
own special care.
It was some weeks before Captain -
could again be moved with safety, and he
was then, with her husbands consent, taken
to Mrs. Is house Day after day passed,
and Mrs. - was indciatigable in her at
tentions. Mr. - was engaged the greater
part Of the day in his business, and, having
implicit confidence in his wife, saw without
any fear the strong friendship" which ap-
peared 70 exist between her and Captain
-. Up to this time Mrs. -- had acted
with great candor and sincerity. She was
attached to her husband and devoted to her
child, and appreheDded no danger in finding
herself becoming more strongly attached "a
her patient, and more dependent for happi-
ness upon his society. The relation was
simply q "fraternaI" one, and with this as
surance she quoted any doubts that were
4 ~ 4
Of Captain -'s manner.
This condition Of affairs lasted until the
beginning of 1865. Mr.. - thought that
his wife'B friend recovered but slowly, but
his charitable and generous heart would not
allow him 10 make any remark or express a
wish for his departure The little girl, how
ever, was somewhat neglected, and the whole
Of the mothers time was spent in the COM
pany Of the wounded officer. At last in
January, 1865, Captain - was GONZALES
cent, and rejoined his command. Mrs. -
seemed relieved by his absence, but soon be
came dull and lOw-spirited. Still she re-
oeiye6 letters regularly from Captain -,
and b this her husband had no objection.
In April, ! $685. on the retreat Of General
LEES army, Captain - was again wound
cd and afterward taken prisoner. 1t was
stated in the papers tltst he had been killed,
and Mrs. - seemed almost crazy with
grief, but this was sill attributed to nothing
more than Friendship" and ''Eisterly re-
gard" After some tine it was ascertained
that Captain -- was at Point Lookout. he
was ultimately released, and without coming
10 this city, went % his home in South Car
olina. Mrs. -- gradually recovered her
cheerfulness, and was all that her husband
could desire, until few weeks ago, when
Captain arrived in Richmond, and
went Immediately TO call upon her.
Mr.. - was unfeignedly glad 10 meet his
wife's friend again, and invited him 60 stay
at his house. Then the plot thickened :
There was no need for Captain -- 20 re-
main constantly in the house, but he con-
unued 20 do so. he declined all introduc-
tons that were offered him, and would not
90 out at all into general society. At every
hour Of the day he was found in the compa-
ny OF Mrs. -. They played, sang, read
poetry, and walked together, until Mr.. --
became fairly annoyed and his fears arous-
e7. He had no doubt Of the wife who had
promised TO Glove, honor and obey him."
but he did fear for the peace Of mind Of the
Young officer.
The manner and appearance Of Mrs.
gradually changed. Her face became paler
AlhA AtllilltNA NJ Vic AAlollltlll AANl tllttfN
would be flushed with excitement and at
the next colorless as snow. At one time she
would be wildly CAV and Joyous, and then,
few hours later, be gloomy and Departing
her conduct toward her husband being char
acterized by thestraugcst contrasts ofwarmth
and GOODNESS in word and expression. The
great struggle between duty and inclination
was being fought In her heart, and she knew
ID not Her husband was trusting and con-
nGent-unsnspicious in his devoted love
while his honor and the integrity of his
name were threatened and ieop3rdized. Peo-
pie az length began 10 talk, and some UNI
pleasant rumors reached the ears Of Mr..
He then limited 20 Captain, that his
visit had been a long one, and on Monday,
the nth inst, the Captain left his house
with tie expressed intention of returning
10 his home in the South.
Mrs. -- became moody and reserved
She would not allow her little daughter to
be near her and treated her husband with
GOODNESS and contempt. Il was noticed that
she went ont a great deal in the evening, bat
no particular attention was paid to this, and
her husband endeavored in every way 10
soothe, by his love, the sorrow whose cause
he did not then suspect or comprehend.
On Monday last Mrs - told her nus
band that she was going ont TO spend the
evening with a friend, and he promised to
call there for her az about nine O'Clock He
hurried up town, and was punctual TO the
hour, but found 10 his surprise that his wife
had not been 20 the appointed place. Not
even then did he suspect the sword that was
suspended over his head He went home,
learned that his wife wasstill ont, and walked
into the nursery, when his little daughter
put her arms around his neck, crying, " Pa
where is mamma2 / do want my mamma %
Poor childl where, then, was your mother
Could not your voice ring In her ears and
turn her back before IL was too late?
Mr.. - comforted his little daughter as
well as he could, gndwas then handed note
which had Just been len at the door hv a
servant Il contained bat a few words, but
when il had been read the happiness of his
life was gone, and a brave, strong heart was
crushed with despair Only a few words:
am not guilty, but have deceived you,
and / can not any longer act lie I trusted
10 myself and had rather heap sin upon sin
than admit my fault You will never see or
hear Of me again. Hate me, despisc me
anything, but do not let my innocent child
learn 20 blush for her mother"
Mr.. - first impulse was 90 track his
wife, Kill her, and then kill himself; but
there was still the poor child crying, amid
her tears, where Is dear mamma g' and he
resolved 70 make one effort 20 save her upon
whom he had shoWercd all the rich treasures
Of his love
Folly and crime naturally travel north,
aud on Tuesday morning Mr.. - lco for
Washington. by the Fredericksburg railroad,
10 pursuit Of his wife and her friend.
His mind was torn by doubt and uncertainty,
and II was a relief 20 his suspense when he
dieembarkod at the Federal capital On the
wharf he heard some men talking, and in
tutively stopped. They were speaking Of "a
lady and gentleman who had come up on
the night boat. They said that the lady and
gentleman Appeared 10 be very friendly al
first, and walked up and down the forward
deck very quietly. AnCr awhile, however,
they seemed 20 quarrel and high and bitter
words passsd between them. Mr. -- list
ened with interest for the end Of the story,
and asked in a careless tone what became Of
tho qusrreling pair why, sir said the
man, 'just as soon as they got 10 the wharf
the lady Jumped into the Metropolitan
omnibus, and the msn-plague on his rude
nessl-took a hack for the Baltimore depot
Mr. - thought the plan was deeply
laid, but drove 10 the Metropolitan Hotel
and registered hia name. He then went 10