The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-12-09
"a Romantic Story,

| A correspondent Of the Boston Journal
writing from Concord, N. H., tells tn,
| following romantic story.
One Of the happiest Thanksgiving din
ner S in New Hampshire on the 18th, wa
one OF our rural villages not 30 miles from
Concord. Ii was the first reunion for
many years OF several generations of q
certain family. At the head Of the table
sat the venerable grandfather now 81
years OF age. lie had come alone thous-
ands OF miles, from the West to meet
his descendcn. After dinner he told
the story Of his life. Some OF It's
main features We have gathered for this
letter.
The hero of this story was born in the
state of New York, and passed his youth
on q fertile farm in the valley of the river.
In The course of time he was engaged TO
be married. Before the nuptaits were
celebrated he bacame interested in anoth-
el lady, who also proved to be engaged,
but between them there soon sprung up a
strong intimacy, which on the part of
both was carefully concealed from the
other parties concerned The most sol
emn pledges however, had been made by
them and they srunk from the idea Of
breaking their plighted VOWS. In vain
they waited. hoping that something
might occur that would cause the other
parties to give them release from matri-
monial obligations.
At length they met, as they supposed,
for the last time and parted The man
married and emigrated to the West, and
the woman was united in hymenial bonds
and settled on the shores Of Oneida lake
These events happened nearly fifty years
ago. The western advcnturer proved
a good husband and kind father, and
grew into middle age widely known and
influential citizen. Prosperity attended
and wealth and many friends came to
him. After twenty years of married life
his wife was taken away from him, but
children remained. By and by several
Of his children married and one of them
came to New. Hampshire. Years pass
ed on but he had never again visited the
East.
After repeated invitations from his re-
latiyes he concluded few months ago
to spend with them in New Hampshire
the then approaching festible of Thanks
giving. He reached Albany at the time
Of the hight OF the great flo ID, and travel
being much interrupted he stayed over a
few days and accidently met some old ac-
quaince Of his youth. During one con
yersation there was casually mentioned
the name OF her from whom he had
many years ago SO sorrowfnlly parted
Eagerly he asked if she was yet alive,
and when answered in the affirmative
tears came to his eyes. and he told bis
friend that he must at once set out in
4, Il, all 1,
was living only six months previous, and
thither he went with all possible haste,
but she was not there. Only mouth
before she had gone away.
He learned the direction it was sup
posed she had taken. and again with al
possible speed he pushed forward. But
fate seemed against him, for farther and
farther away seemed to him the object OF
his search. At last, after he had trav-
hundreds of miles, going by night as well
as by day, he found.the love of his youth
The story of the woman was one Of long
toll and suffering. After ten years o.
welded life her husband had died Of ling
eTing diseas, leaving her with three chill
dren.
Ore after another of these treasures wert
claimed by death, until she was left alon,
and friendless. In such circumstance
she was found by one who renewed the
pledge OF his youthful affection, aud ask
ed that to her happiness he might devot
the remainder Of his life. Such was til,
grandfather story at the hap py Thanks
giving dinner, and he closed by sayin!
that one week from that day he was to b
married to her who had been so lony
| lost to but who was at length restored t.
him.