Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-04-05
From the Canton my Register.
A HIT OF ROMANCE,

II oiten falls within the scope OF our duties
10 record some strange adventure, marvellous
tale, or thrilling romance which is borne to
us upon the lips Of others, but we have this
week genuine romance TO tell about which
has been developed in tho history of the
family Of the Junior editor Of this paper.
We shall not use any OF the adieclives, eX-
pletives on. highlY.wrought phrases common
TO the sensational writers Of the day, but
will tell the story in tho simple language Of
truth.
Some twenty years ago, or thereabout
there lived in the city OF Milwaukee man
named Edward Richie, who followed the
art and occupation of house, sign and orna-
mental painter, lie had formerly lived in
New York State, where he married young
lady, with whom he did not live happily.
He had moved 10 Milwaukee, and had man.
aged to secure the custody of their only
child, little girl, while the wife sought
home with her relatives in New Jersey.
After separation of four or five years, Mr..
Richie married again, but whether lie had
obtained divorce in the meantime is not
now known. A son was born of this second
marriage, and Richie, his wife, and little
daughter-who was now twelve or fourteen
years oCage-lived happily together When
the California gold excitement broke out, in
1910, Richie was taken with the gold fever
and started for the aurierous land. His
little son was ut this time about fourteen
mC.ttha aiI In taan ha n n
received that Richie was dead. The daugh.
ter received an invitation to visit her Eastern
relatives, which she accepted, and was again
united with her mother, from whom she had
been separated some twelve years. The
The widow in Milwaukee moved away, 1t
was not known where, taking of course,
her little son with her The daughter re-
manned in New Jersey, and grew TO woman
hood, fair, fresh and rosy girl, who pos
aessed such uncommon attractions as "a
charm the writer hereof, and in due cours,
of time she assumed the name of Mrs. j
K. Magic.
At this time Mrs NJ. from letterswhich has
been received some years before, believed
her little brother had died soon after leaving
Milwaukee; but some six or eight years ag'
our curiosity led us to examine pile OF let
tiers belonging to Mrs. NJ, which had beef
received some years before, hut CAREFUL
preserved. From these letteIs we iorme'
the theory that her brother might he ye
living, but where he was, or what name h
might be bearing, we had no basis even 10
conjecture. But by q diligent and perst
yering inquiry and correspondence, the lac
was developed that the boy was still living
hut his whereabouts WAS yet mystery
Acting upon imperfect clues and the veal
est hints, we succeeded at last in locatin
him In q small town in Michigan, where j
was living with his mother and step-fathe
Mr.. Hurlburt, and was known by the nan
of Thomas \. Hurlbur,. We succeeded
opening correspondence with him, ar
learned that lie had never supposed but tn
Mr. Hurlburt was his father His moth
had never seen ut to communicated hi
the history Of his parentage and her lorme
marriage with Mr.. liitchie. Mr.. Hurlbui
It appears, was q very kind husband and q
iectionate father, and was ever as kind al
indulgont to Thomas as TO his other ch
dren On Saturday last young Mr.. Hu
burt-who is now young man in his tive
tieth year-arriycd in this city, and for
first time in his memory looked upon t
face OF his sister, who parted with him VIII
he was but eighteen months of age. The
facts are all new and strange 10 ThomI
10, He can scarcely realize their truth. But
10. meeting was happy one, and the broth
oV and sister rejoice in the reunion, and
,ro have boon enabled to add another item
lot Illustrating the fact that "truth is .stranG
rs. than fiction"