The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-11-06

A HUSBAND RETURNS RITTER TwENTY-sJx
YEAR, ABsENcE--HE FfNDsHis Wife MAR
RiED, CLAIMS AND RECEIVES HER AT THE
AsE OF sixty EIGHT Thursday morning
the Subjects OF this sketch passed through
this city on their way from Putnam county,
Indiana, to their home, in Lincoln county,
Kentucky, and from gentleman who talked
with them we nave obtained the following
romantic story:
In 1912 John Elliot left his home and his
wife, who had borne him eleven children,
in Putnam county, this State, suddenly and
in passion ct some slight misunderstanding
that had occurred between them. He gave
his family no intimation of his departure
previous,to leaving, and they never heard
of him again until after the lapse Of twenty
six years.
The wife believed her husband dead, and
after two years waiting she gave him up az
lost to her forever, and married respecta-
bic citizen of the country, named Ballou,
and has resided happily enough with him.
near Cloyerdale, ever since, until last week.
1t was then that the first tidings Of sup
posed deceased husband were received by
her.
1t was in this wise that these tidings
reached her. A letter came to her through
the hand of person who was stranger.
This letter set forth tisat if she would visit
a little town several miles distant from
Cloverda'e che would meet an old and very
dear friend, and urged her not to omit
making the visit at certain time. The
letter impressed her strangely, and she
concluded to visit the town named, at the
! designated time, and did so.
What was her surprise On entering the
house where the meeting was appointed, to
meet her FIRST husband. Twenty-six years
| had passed, and time had left its impress
upon the man, yet she recognized him at
| once, and threw herself into his arms for
Notwithstanding she is now sixty eight
years Of age the sight of her first choice
warmed the loving pulses of her heart, and
broke open the fountain Of her affections
that had been so long sealed up. She
threw her arms about his neck, kissed his
wrinkled check, and wept like girl the
tears Of joy.
The husbands heart was also melted into
tenderness, and he embraced his aged but
long deserted wife with all the feryor of a
young and ardent lover. The past was
talked over, the sudden disappearance, the
| long absence, and continued silence of the
| husband explained, and then and there it
was agreed that they would spend the rem
nant of their lives together.
The woman returned to her home in Clo-
verdale. She explained to her second hus-
band oil that had happened, and told him
that she felt it her duty to 60 with the first
| husband, from whom she had been 30 long
separated. The second husband, Ballou,
was 10th to consent, but the woman was I'M
changeable in her determination, and he
was compelled to acquiesce. Their worldly
effects were divided, and on Monday last
the old lady left Cloyerdale to rejoin her
husband in the little village where the
meeting took place; and Thursday they
passed through this city on their way to
| Kentucky.
When the husband left home he wan
dered off to Kentucky, where he remained
until the California gold discoveries created
such an excitement in 1S49. He was seized
with the gold fever, and left for the rich
placers OH the Pacific coast. There he
| worked and saved his earnings until he ac-
cumulated some forty thousand dollars.
| With this he returned to Kentucky, pur-
| chased and stocked farm in Lincoln coun-
ty, and has been living upon it ever since
1859. Having accumulated considerable
wealth, he is now prepared to comfortably
care for her whom he so cruelty deserted
twenty-six years ago, and to give ga good
start in the world" to the children she
bore him, four of whom are yet living, and
have families.-Neoo Albany Commercial.