The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-24
The Romance OF Bankruptcy.
ESocH ARDEN oUrDoNE,

Under the above caption the st. Louis Re
publican tells a rather sensational story, which
we condense as folows:-
"Who is it that does not remember the
financial crash of 1857 2 Many of our most
entelpIising merchants had to succumh to the
pressure Of the times. Among them was a
merchant whom we shall call Smith HIS
real name and some of the circumstances we
are about to relate will doubtless be recOl-
lected by many in St. Louis, even to-day. He
kept au extensive mercantile establishment
on - street and by his enter prise and
promptitude won the confidence of the best
houses in the East and West.
"He had young wife and three little chill
dren. They lived in neat little villa in
fashionable portion of the city, and the neigh
bors said happier family cid not exist in the
State of Missouri.
''The crash came; his debtors were unable
to meet his calls, and, as q consequence, he
was unable to meet the dem ands OF his credi-
tors His first resolve was to make ever the
villa to his wife and family and secure an an
nuity of 5000 year for the support of herself
and children, and leave the city secretly. So
one night he sailed forth, determined to re-
build his fallen fortunes or perish in the
attempt. PIoclamstiOns aud rewards were Of
no avail, and the universal verdict was-'myg-
terious Disappearance
Mrs. Smith mourned her husband as dead
for two years, till she wisely concluded it was
useless to mourn any more, so she decided to
receive the long prOilered attentions OF William
Bradford an old bachelor a companion OF her
late husband.
"But her happiness was not destined ~ be
perpetual, for William Bradford was afflicted
with consumption, and died during the last
spring, leaving his wife for the second time
widow. To her and his children fell his husi-
ness, which she converted into cash, realizing
IL. / i 1. L -
easy circumstances.
''During all these years what became Of
Smith He made his way to Montana, and
worked in the mines, where his Intelligence
and enterprise soon put him on the roai to
wealth. Some years after he went there the
smallpox broke out among the miners, and
he caught the infection, from which he re-
covered, but so pitted that his mother would
not know him.
"Last spring he struck rich vein, and be-
held in the bags of gold dust around him
enough to liquidate all claims against him, and
place himself and his family-if they still
were in existence-in luxury for the rest of
their days. He sold out, packed up, aud
reached St. Louis about the lst OF jams.
"PIeservipg an incOgnitO, he inquired for
Mrs. Smith Nobody knew her or knew of
her.
'At length he met a person who was ac-
quainted with the circumstances of Mrs.
Smiths second marriage, and when Mrs. Brad
ford was pointed out to him he recognized the
form and features of his lOng-lost wife; after
some difficulty he obtained an introduction to
her, and concealipg his name and the know
ledge of his immense wealth, he wooed and
won her. She gave her consent to be his on
the promise that the childreE of the two
previous marriages should be well treated
by him.
con last Thursday evening, in the old villa,
a clergyman was summoned to tie the nu ptial
knot when the real name of the new suitor
and his former relationship were disclosed,
and, although the bride faiuted, it was happy
reunion. He was happy to see his children
well grown in body, SOUL end intelligence in
the intervening eleven years.
"The facts, which We have learned from
the clergyman who performed the ceremony,
are romance that beats Ruoch Arden to
pieces,b