The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1869-02-20
Tried and True.

tance of his, who was formerly a resident
of this city, the facts of which bear with
them q melancholy interest such as at
taches to few life histories We were
permitted to give it publicity on agreeing
to withhold the names of thesparties con-
cerned
Something more than eight years ago
there was an Englishman living on Mar
ket street, with his wife and two children,
and part of the building in which he re-
sided he used as a grocery store, and for
time prospered, but, like very many other
men, could not bear success, and ventur-
ing too much in variety of speculations,
he lost money and soon fell deeply in
debt. There was no bankrupt law then,
and debt was perhaps not so much
the fashion as it has become in
these later days. Indeed, so involved
did he become, that nothing short
Of downright dishonesty could save
his little store from the auctioneer's
hammer. he was very sensitive man as
we'll as very honest, and to him debt was
disgrace not to be endured. On consult
alton with one of his friends, he made up
his mind to leave Louisville forever, or at
least until he could do something towards
mending his fallen fortunes. With this
idea foremost in his mind, he bade fare
we'll to his wife and children, and commit.
ting them to the care Of his friend until he
could find for them new home, he started
north. Casting about him, he finally
l--->.rsl.s up fSIsiladalTshis nnd utn-toA iaa
business there on q small scale. He,wrote
his wife, speaking cheerfully of his pros,
poets, but the letter from the husband and
father never reached the waiting, anxious
ones at home. Receiving no answer he
wrote again. No reply came, and again
and again he wrote, but with the same re-
suit. He then wrote to his friend, and
shortly after received a letter in
answer with the terrible news that
his wife and children had sud
denly left Louisville soon after
his departure, and that vague stories were
ahoat not very complimentary to her
whom he had hitherto believed the purest
and best Of all her sex, and loved as only
a confding husband could love. Heart
sick and cursing his existence, he believed
all, and attempted to take his own life, but
through the Intervention Of some person
who occupied the same room with him,
he was saved, and at last recovered his
spirits sufficiently to attend to business,
which, from that time, he closely adhered
to and strove to forget the past. AT the
end of FIVE years he married very esti,
mable lady whose acquaintance he had
casually made, and, two years later had
succeeded 80 we'll in business as to be able
to pay off all the debts which had driven
him from his home seven years before.
He lived very happily with his second wife,
by whom he had one child, and he never
permitted himself to think Of the home he
had left in Kentucky.
Thus matters stood until few months
ago, when he one day received by mail a
copy of one of the Louisville papers, and
in running his eye over the local page, he
CHANGED to discover name which at once
drew his whole attention. 1t was under
the head of "Died," and he started as he
read the three little lines. The name was
that of his first wife, and she had died in
Louisville. Could it be possible that she
had never left home, but had waited SC
many long years for his return? And was
the cruel story that had reached him q
mere fabrication Full Of the strangest
emotions he had ever experienced, he re.
VolVed in his mind these questions, and al
last determined to satisfy himself by q
visit to Louisville and the grave of hel
whom he had once loved. He made known
his determination to his wife, who agreed
to accompany him, and, with hel
and his little boy, he set out fol
this city. Arriving here he at once
instituted inquiries, and was astonishet
on learning from former acquaintance
that his first wife was still alive and well
and Furthermore, that since he had lef
her, she had never once been out of tn,
city. The friend" who had written hin
the story Of her departure could not b.
found, and he forthwith sought out thu
wronged wife and his two children.
The Joy of the poor woman on onct
more seeing the husband she had love(
dearer than her own life, was as great a
her grief had been at the fatal leave
taking. She reported to him the storl
of her trials, of how she had toiled fo
the support of herself and childrei
through all the dreary years, never 70
one moment doubling him, or that h
would some day return and be happy will
her once more. She further related tina
the friend in whose care he had left he
had betrayed the trust, and had not onl,
detained the absent husband, but hal
sought her hand in marriage, and beinI
refused had left the city, swearing for ven
geance. She then asked him If he ha,
been as true TO her. What must hav
been the feelings Of the unfortunat
husband, now for the first time real
izing how cruelty he had been dc
ceived, when forced to acknowledge hi
second marriage Dropping on hi
knees he implored forgiveness Of the in
jured woman, and it was freely give
when she heard his story. Not only di
she forgive him, but besought him neve
to disclose the fact of her existence TO hi
second wife, who as yet believed her dead
and 60 back TO his home in Philadelphi
and forget the terrible past. Whether tn
advice Of the noble woman was followed
we have as yet no means Of knowing
Surely she deserved a better fate than tha
which has befallen her.