Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-29
An Enoch Arden I'm IOwa-The "Lit.
tie Wife, Refuses TO Go.


From the Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Nov. 14l
Some twelve years ago couple were
happily married in New York city. The
wife was petite brunette, with sparkling
black eyes and faultless features, and her
husband, whose name was Harry McCord,
loved her to desperation. He was an
humble mechanic, founder by trade,
and when they set up their little house
hold he had saved enough from his earn
ings to incite him to the acquisition OF
more. The Pixies Peak gold excitement
came on, and with thousands of other
eager people, he became contaminated
and aroused by the fever, and in one OF
its deliriums dresmt of future wealth
and independence. Disposing of all he
had in the world in the shape of property,
he deposited in one of the banks of that
city portion, reserving to himself sufi-
cient for the journey to the Eldorsdo.
The history of his experiences en- route,
and when among the rough, shaggy
miners of the new gold regions, will, per-
haps, never be written. Behind him he
left lurking,sin disappointment, one who
coveted the prize which be had carried
away in marriage. Months after McCord's s
arrival in the mining country, he re-
ceived intelligence that his wife was
dead. Mails were few and far between,
and he never doubted for moment but
that his "little wife " would cherish his
memory, and languish in his absence
with all the devotion of affection.
When they were gathered around the
camp. fire, and the mail boy had
come ia with the small batch of letters
for the district, he found au envelope
with an ominous black border The few
written lines portrayed the misery that
was in store for him. 1t announced q
knell of despair, aud the poor wounded
spirit of the man sank almost to flicker
of vitality. Struggling against fate, be
resolved to make the most of his situa-
ton. The more he thought of his mis-
fortunes the greater was his resolution TO
fill up the waste, dreary hours of life with
activity aud exertion. His wife gone, he
had no other dependant in this country,
and for those in Ireland he cared as little
as they cared for him. A few thousand
dollars rewarded his perseverance in
business, and when the war broke out he
took to the plains, never corresponding
with any one in the East, his wife never
having, as he thought, any relatives. To
him. ia his happy moments, she was a
waif upon the sea of life which he had
rescued for himself. Four years of bois-
ferrous riding, Indian fighting, and their
attendant turmols and perplexities,
Drowned his cheeks and obliterated much
of former memories and hopes. Sadness
became an essential part of his being,
and, though be laughed at the rude jokes
of his companions, and could tell his
story to compete with theirs, glmmer
of the past shimmered on his brow, and
made jest appear sort of sscrlege.
After the war he went to British Colum-
bia, and, for o number of years, waged
war with the elements, among the pelting
rains and torrents, and wilderness of
Frazer river, buffeting storms and floods
in the hope of fading something that
would compensate him for his losses.
A year ago he returned to New York
city, and after spending nearly all he had
saved, during boisterous life of nine or
ten years, be started for the West again,
hoping in the excitement of the frontier
to spend his days. He had no definite
object in view. At Chicago he stopped
several days, and when he got this far he
spent about week in Council Bluffs and
Omahs. Last Thursday he happened
past dwelling in this city, when he
heard shrek inside. He had in his
rambles passed the door on several occs-
sions before, and, hearing signs of dis
tress within doors, rushed in without
leave. At each time he passed he was
closely watched by lady at q window,
and it was she who gave the alarm and
swooned away. She had recognised him,
and when restored to consciousness, gave
him the history of her existence during
the interval. She had not been sick, nor
had she died, as had heen announced to
him. His unsuccessful rival had made up
the falsehood and forged the letter which
he received, and also one to the wife
from him, announcing his determination
never to return again. With this sppa-
rent basis of facts che proceeded at the
end of two years to obtain divorce, which
was accomplished. After q period
she married the rival, who was aiteTward
drafted into the army, and was killed in
the battle of Five Forks. She was then
the mother of boy, who is now bright
lad. She subsequently abandoned her
widowhood for another husband, who
happened to be farmer of some means
in the neighborhood Of Philadelphia, who
became attracted by her 6ne eyes and
amisble manners, They came West for
the purpose of settling somewhere, either
in this State or in Nebraska, and took
small house in this city to await the final
decision respecting the choice Of home
when the rather unpleasant episode OF
this life-history was enacted. The wife
clings to her latest husband, though she
protests her affection for her first choice;
the divorce from him, though obtained as
il vas, and the subsequent marriage,
compel her 10 submit to her pTesent con-
ditioa and abide by its consequences
Everything in regard to the future has
been amicably settled and arranged, but
il required = great deal Of philosophy on
the part OF ell concerned TO decide the
matter. Some Of the parties were known
to the writer OF this before the singular
conclusion Of the romantic events.