The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-12-09

whom Major Fitch one day was introduced.
The acquaintance ripened, and the Major be-
came one of her warmest admirers. Possess
ed of ioyial, careless disposition, he became
an easy prey to her wiles, and though being
aware OF the power she had gained over him.
instead Of attempting to break the web her
skillful fingers had woven, he gave himself
up soul and body TO the. tempter
| His letters home. where his poor VIE was
praying for his safe return, indicated nothing
of what was transpiring III Louisville, and
| though they began to come less frequently,
she ACCEPTED all his excuses, and never once
SUSPECTED the man she would gladly have
died for. Finally; he ceased writing alto
eether and for months. no tidings reached
| her save the mere mention Of him that came
in occasional letters of some brother officer
Determined to learn the worst, she set out
| from Kalamazoo in company with the father
of the Major and her little daughter, and
came to Louisville. Here the terrible truth
was revealed to her. The actress had aban-
doned the stage and was living in open
adultery with Major Fitch. Nor was this
all. Evil companions and the dram shop
had worked a powerful change in this once
sober, clear-headed officer, and the heart
broken wife was appalled, at the ruin that had
been wrought to one she had believed above
reproach.
A true woman, however, she did not quite
gave up, and resolved to make at least one
desperate effort for his redemption, remem-
boring what. he had been and hoping for the
future. She implored him to return with her
and abandon the life he was leading, but all
her supplications and the appeals Of his old
father proved unavailing. Z He was lost for
ever As last resort she went to the woman
who had robbed her of all she held dear and
on her knees, begged the base harlOt to re-
lease her husband to give him back to her
for the sake of her darling child, and for the
sake of the old father whose head was bowed
in shame and disgrace. The only answer Of
the vile woman was a percmptorv order tor
Mrs. Fitch to leave the house.
Finding all efforts frllitless, the unforu-
nate lady decided to return home, and the
sad trio went back to Michigan. There she
soon became an inmate Of the mad-house.
and shortly after died, . raving maniac.
just before his regiment was mustered out,
Major Fitch resigned, and from that time his
descent to the lowest depth Of 4 wrctched
life was rapid and sure. He continued to
live with his companion in nf;tmy a long
time, and both figured conspicuously in the
police court. at various dates as keepers of
Il disorderly house and disturbcrs generally.
Not long since. he suddenly disappeared
from the city and left no hint Of his propos-
ed destination, nor did any one care to en-
quire whittier the wretched sol had gone.
Miss Swift, the actress, the heartless destroy
er of a happy home. the murdercSs Of pure,
loving wife: who has covered with ignominv
and shame a helpless child and once proud
father is now an inmate of Il house of III
fame in Louisvile.@
She story Of Sercna'S career in 81. Louis,
so far as is known. is soon told Fitch went
to that city in his retracy, but had little more
to do with her He proved himself lit for
nothing, and even lost a situation as driver of
a street car, so utterly worthless had he be-
come. Mrs Fitch got aboard the steamer
Stonewall at st. Louis, in company with d
female friend, intending TO 90 to New Orleans,
and both she and her companion were lost in
the terrible disaster at Necley's Landing
How they died, whether by fire or flood may
never be known. The hot flames of the burn
ing wreck may have been their winding
sheet, or the dark waters may have closed
over them as they struggled with the rest less
current. Whatever may have been their fate
certainly the case looks very much as if il
were terrible rctribution, long withhold
but sure as the, vengeance of an offended
God always is.