Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-11-20
Romance in Real Life.

Tie Pittsburgh Pa. Chronicle of
Oct. s, tells the following story of the
adventures of gentleman, formerly
resident of that city.
At the time of the gold discoveries in
California he was in comforta' lie posi-
ton. and engaged in business in Pitts
burgh. The reports of the immense
fortunes which were made almost in
simultaneously had theireflect VI on him.
and he severed his business connections
and starteu for California, full of conf.
dence in the success of his proposed
efforts to acquire Il fortune and spend
the remainder of his life with bis fami
ly, which consisted of his wife and one
daughter. Being of steady habits, and
possessed of great energy, success smil-
cd upon him from the first, and every
enterprise upon which he embarked re-
suited favorably. He wrote often and
tenderlyto his wife, an after and absence
of over three yetrs expressed his de-
termination to return home. New gold
fields were discovered, however, and he
resolved to visit them before returning
to the States. This project was carried
into effect, and he found in the new To-
cality an excellent chance for invest
ment. From this poii.t the mail facili-
ties were not good, and during the time
he rename he failed to receive any
,idirg3 from home.
After nearly year had elapsed he
returned to his former place OF residence,
and found letter there announcing the
death of both his wife and laughter.
This intelligence affected him greatly
he determined to return to the city by
the next steamer The letter conveying
this sad intelligence was written by a
comparative stranger and upon further
reflection the gentleman decided towrite
home and ascertain, If possible. the
truth of the report. Several letters
were sent, Lut no answers were receiv-
ed, and after repeated trials to hear from
his friends, he concluded that they
were dead, and consequently ceased to
writo. His own family and brother
were the only near relatives he had left
behind h m, and as he thought, he de-
termined to settle i'm California.
When the Australian gold discoveries
were announced, the spirit of adven-
ture again seized him, and the success
with which he met in California en-
couraged him in the belief that he could
not fail in Australia. He accordingly
closed up his busine. s, made permanent
investments with his money and started
for Australia There success attended
him, and in several years he had almost
doubled his previous fortune. Becom-
ing tired of active business life, hOwev-
er, he resolved to return to California,
and settle down, and this determination
was carried into effect. Shortly after ar
irving in California he invested largely
In real estate, and after nearly fifteen
years of active life he quietly settled
down to eljoy the fruits of his labor.
His quiet, however, was of short dura
ton. The Southern rebellion broke out
and he, actuated bymotives of patriotism
as we'll as love Of adventure, assumed
command of a company of volunteers
raised in the city inwhich he resided, ant
for long time stationed in various parts
of Texas. When the war closed III
again returned to California, and throw
ing aside the accOutrements of war, re
sumed his peaceful life.
Thus he lived until few months
since, when he met with an inciden
which wrought a complete change in al
the plans he had laid for the future.
While passing along one of the streets
of his adopted city, he ct gentleman
long period of years intervening, h
Immediately recognized, and of cours
he was not long in making himsel
known. The new found Acquaintance
had known tie family of the gentle
man, and for the first time in man.
years the latter li.tened to tidings from
home. He learned that his wife ant
daughter were not dead, that his broth
er yet lived, and that he himself ha'
been given up for dead many year
since. The new acquaintance could no
tell him where his wife and daughte
then resided, but he assured him tina
they still lived.
The intelligence thus received chang
ed all his plans, and he at once resolves
to return to his owI home. He reache
Pittsburgh few days since, after an at
sence OF 20 years, during Is of which h
had no communication with person
residing here. OF course he found tina
time had made great changes. Many {
those for whom he inquired had passe
away, many had removed, and other
had been forgotten, His principal in
quiries were in regard to his wife an
daughter and while he was assure
that they still lived, the re nainder o
the Information was not so pleasant
The wife had mOurned him as dead, an
after waiting for five or six years, sh
again married and removed with Inc
husband and daughter to Texas, wher
they still resided.
The second husband had entered tn
rebel army, and either been killed {
died in service, leaving the wife wido
for tn, second time, as she thought.
She had resided in town in Texas dl
ring the same time that her first hu
band was stationed there. He ais
learned that his wife contemplated r.
turning home, but could learn nothin
concerning the route she proposed
sle