Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-12-13
Romsncs 81 1 Double Marriage

den komance--is told by the Chicago
Post. Il concerns one John Edwards who
married Mt the breaking out Of the war,
and shortly after enlisted and marched
hravely South to escape domestic tyranny
at home.
Ut course she shed a few tears when he
went away, and he likely did the same. 1t
is q sort of generally entertained senti-
mental belief that all soldiers are at one
time or otRer the proprietors Of popular
tears which they wiped away, and that
they talked a good deal about their moth
ers. However that may be in reality,
certain it is that if Edwards ever did think
about his wife he took no steps to let her
knowit. She came TO the conclusion after
a time that lie was dead. At the same
time that this comfortable assurance set
tied itself upon her mind, another tender
appeal was made to her heart. Mr.. Ed
ward Walker saw her, was charmed with
her, spoke orthodox nonsense to her, no
doubt, after the usual fashion, offered to
take such care of her as never had been
taken before, and at the same time prom
ised to be father to her boy.
He became consequently the husband
Of the blooming young widow, and the
father not only of the boy whose parent
age he really had no authenticated claims,
but also Of another cherub, also of boy,
who knew did owe his existence to the
fact that he and the widow did come to a
mutual understanding. There were no dis
agreements 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 appear
ance of an Encch Arden on the scene.
They never thought perhaps of the sold
Ter, who, though be was supposed to be
respectively and honorably defunct, was,
in fact, actually alive. He was happy.
He may have called TO mind, at times
certain family "reminiscences in connection
with his wife and boy, but he did not
grieve much about their loss nor make
particular inquiries after their well being.
He invested some money he had in pur-
chasing goodly farm in this State, and
felt himself supremacy happy.
Enoch Arden, il will be remembered,
when be 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 disconsolately
away, and felt miserable till the day that
he died. The chances are that if he had
gone boldly in, seeing how fondly Annie
had remembered him for long time, and
what reverence he was held in by the hon
est miller, that be would have relinquished
her and perhaps advanced him few hun
dred pounds in order to build boat and
commence business again.
Edwards did not groan at all when hap
pening to come into the city few months
ago he encountered his former wife accom-
panied by HE boy, and the other one who
was not his. They stopped, on the con-
trary, and shook hands. He asked her
how she was doing. She informed him how
nicely she was situated, and asked him to
come and take tea. He went and took tea.
The two husbands liked each other i'm
mensely.
They smoked sundry pipes together,
pipes Of peace they were, and both spoke
admiringly Of their mutual wife. She sat
be1ids chem. with her two boys beside her,
each u the happy little ones conversing
at times with their respective fathers. 1t
was one of the very pleasantest of pleas
ant parties. Even the old disputes that
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 the
fascinating lady that husband number two
was blessed.
In short time there came TN invitation
from number one, for the wife and her
little progeny to visit him to his farm.
she .ent and the children went, and it
was the gayest time for all that either had
ever enjoyed. The young wife saw no end
Of amiable qualities in her former husband
and thought that she would like SO much
to give him another trial. She commune
Gated with husband number two, and he,
knowing all the circumstances of the case
expressed himself as being in pleasantly
Barkis condition Of mind. He was "wil-
ing" The whole matter was then speed
lily arranged. It was agreed that Edwards
should take his turn in accepting the re-
sponsibilities of the family. Both the boys
are to be his boys, and the wife is to be