The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-11-23
AeartIcsS Case Of SeduCtlOn-Pur.
suit Oflsutlty Fafr-Tile WrOMSed
Mnn Shot and WOunde by the
Seducer-A Sad Story OfLOvc and
PerliIy.

From the Decatur Magnet
One day during the early part of last August,
gay and brilliant bridal party might have beer.
seen emerging from one Of the most fashionable
and aristocratc churches in st. Louis. The nup-
tial rites had been concluded by which the gal
liant Major A. w. Edwards and the lovely and
accomplished julia Howard were made one. All
promised Joy and happiness-thc future appeared
to wear tints of the most cerulean .ue. The
bridegroom was one of the most popular and sue
cessful editors in the State, while the bride was
beautiful and wealthy-the only daughter of q
gentleman who had done good service for the
Union a. commander of . brigade during the
rebellion. What more could be desired Many
were the congratulations showered upon the
happy pair. and all sorts Of good FORTUNE were
prophesied for them BY the wedding guests
After short but very pleasant tour, the Major
conducted his fair bride TO his spacious and well.
arranged mansion in Carlinvifle, where they
dwelt together in ell apparent happiness
Yielding to the pressing solicitations of his
brother editors throughout the state, the Major
babe, as he thought, brief farewell to his young
wife and accompanied US upon the Rocky Noun.
tain excursion. During the trip, as we ali know,
he was the life and soul Of the party-his Jokes
were side-splitting, his laugh the loudsst and
his songs the gayest and jolliest. Little did he
know OF the woe and misery in store for him
Swallowed BY the dark clouds of despair.
The journey being ended, the Major fastened
home on the wings Of love. Bright visions of a
happy home and loving wife cheered him on
the way. Saturday evening last as the sombre
shadows OF twilight were gathering DER forest
and prairie, the Major landed at Carlinville; he
fastened towards his suburban mansion.
"Ah, where was the lamp which she told him,
Should shine when her pilgrim returned'
1et though darkness began to enfold him,
No lamp from the balcony burned
He flew to her chamber-'twas lonely,
As il the loved tenant were dead;
All would it we're death hand death only -
{ But no! the young false one had fed
Darkness and despair reigned supreme through.
out the deserted homestead Where late all was
bright and and serene, now brooded the ominous
raven OF sorrow and gloom. He found u letter
addressed to him-telling him to forgive and
forget her, and briefly stating that she eloped
with one she loved in former days. Almost
crazed, the Major at length learned that the
companion Of her fight was Captain Stanton of
the 95th Regulars. He soon made his prepare.
tons and followed upon their track. Being ap-
prised that they fed towards the east, he took
the cars for Pittsburg. Upon arriving in that
city, no learned, BY the aid Of detective, that
the guilty pair were in Cleveland. He rapidly
hurried thithsr and tracked them to the Eastern
notel, where they were stopping as man aud
wife. Upon consulting the register he ascer-
tanned the number of their room. He rushed up
stairs-burst open the door, and confronted the
seducer of his wife. Julia screamed and fell
faiting to the floor. A few angry words, and
the wronged man and the betrayer drew their
revolvers. Both fred simultaneously, and the
gallant Majo fell severely wounded, with bull
let in his right shoulder. In the confusion that
ensued, Captain Stanton and tho false Julia were
enabled to escape, and they are now supposed to
be in the neighborhood of Toronto, Canada
In the meantime, Major Edwards received all
the attention that kindness, care and skill could
bestow upon him. BY private letter from him,
we are happy to learn, that he has so far recov-
cred that he proposes to be in Decatur, some day
during the latter part Of the present week. We
extend q sincere welcome to our friend in mis-
fortune, and shall endeavor to make his stay
among us as agreeable as possible, considering
the untoward circumstances.
Let us hope that grief may not entirely over.
come the manly and genial heart that has 50 often
beat with noble impulses and high resolves. May
limo, the great healer, assuago his sorrow.