The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-11-28
Romance of a Double Marriage

who married at the breaking out of the
war, and shortly after enlisted and march
ed bravely South to escape domestic ty-
ranny at home
OF course she shed few tears when
he went away, and he very likely did the
same. 1t is sort of generally entertain
ed sentimental belief that all soldiers are
at one time or other the proprietors OF
popular tears which they wipe away, and
that they talk good deal about their
mothers. However that may be in real-
ty, certain it is that if Edward ever did
think about his wife he took no steps 10
let her know il. She came to the conclu-
sion after a time that he was dead At
the same time that this comfortable assu-
rance settled itself upon her mind, another
tender appeal was made TO her heart
Mr.. Edward Walker saw her, was charm
ed with her, spoke orthodox nonsense to
her no doubt, after the usual fashion, of
fered TO take such care of her as had never
been taken before, and at the same time
promised to be father to her boy
He became consequently the husband
of the blooming young widow, and the
father not only of the boy to whose pa
rentage he had really no very well authep-
ticated claims, but also another cherub,
also boy, who he knew owed his exis-
tence to the fact that he and the widow
had come to a mutual understanding
There was no disaereements between the
second husband and the very loving and
estimable lady. Everything went on in
their household as merry as if there had
been perpetual chime going on in it of
marriage bells. They never calculated
upon the appearance of an Enoch Arden
on the scene. They never thought, per-
haps, of the soldier, who, though he
was supposed to be respectfully and hon
orably defunct, was, in fact, actually
alive He was happy. He may have
called to mind at times certain family
"reminiscences in connection with the wife
and boy, but he did not grieve much
about their loss nor make particular in
quiries regarding their well being He
invested some money he had in purchasing
a goodly farm in this State, and felt hin
self supremely happy.
Enoch Arden, it will be remembered,
when he found that his wife was married,
sneaked into the garden, peeped in through
the window at her and her miller, saw
that they were happy, and his own family
was thriving, and then went disconsoate-
ly away, and felt miserable until the day
he died. The chances are that if he had
gone boldly in, seeing how fondly Annie
had remembered him for a very long time,
and what reverence he was held in by the
honest miller, that he would have relin-
quished her, and perhaps advanced him a
few hundred pounds in order 10 build a
boat and commence business again.
Edwards did net groan at all when
happening TO come into this city about six
months ago he encountered his former
wife accompanied by his boy, and the
other one who was not his. They stopped,
on the contrary, and shook hands. He
asked her how she was doing. She in
formed him how nicely she was situated.
and asked him TO come and take tea. lie
went and took tea. The two husbands
liked each other immensely.
They smoked sundry pipes together,
pipes of peace they were, and both spoke
admiringly of their mutual wife. She sal
beside them with her two boys beside her,
each of the happy little ones conversine
at times with their respective fathers, Ii
was one of the pleasantest of pleasant
parties. Even the old disputes that had
once made the household unhappy were
tenderly revived and laughed about, and
husband number one took his departure
feeling in his heart as he thought of th,
% Iol hot has
Der two was blessed.
In short time there came an invita-
ton from number one, for the wife ant
her little progeny to visit him at his farm
She went, and the children went, and i
| was the gayest time for all that either hac
ever enjoyed. The young wife saw NJ
end of amiable qualities in her first hus
band, and thought that she would like s.
much to give him another trial. Sh
communicated with husband number two
and he knowing all the circumstances o
the case, expressed himself as being in
pleasantly Barkis condition of mind. II
was "willin." The whole matter wa
then speedily arranged. 1t was agree
that Edwards should take his turn in aC
ceptiag the responsibilities of the family
Both the boys are to be his boys, and III
wife to be his wife, and the only formul
now to be gone through is the procurir
a divorce from husband number two, aft
which there will be wedding, and ii
discarded husband will give away Il
bride. The whole arrangement is in Il
, highest degree pleasant, and it is esp
ciatiy gratifying to know that both Il
, husbands heartily congratulate each 9th
? on the event.