Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-02
BIoAMY AS A FINE ART.
Ralph Lockwood Ostrander's Mat
rtinOniaI Experiences-TwOE Estab-
Ifshments Within n stones Throw
Of Each Ofher. - q :

From the Now York sun.l l,rqss.
None but the brave" says the pro-
verb, deserve the fair, and experience
often shows that none but the brave can
live with some of them. But Ralph Lock
wood 0strander, q. travelling salesman,
in the service Of a picture frame estab-
lishment on the corner of Seventh ave-
nue. and Twenty-ninth street, is one of
those superhuman mortals whose cour-
age is equal to anything. He was equal
to two wives, two establishments, and,
still more wonderful, to the charge of
both.
Fifteen years ago he marrieS Miss Jo-
sephine Sheridan Dunn, the daughter of
Samuel c. Dunn, of Is Ashland Place.
He lived with her in the enjoyment Of
much domestic felicity, going away fire.
quently, as his occupation demanded,
and returning to his family with punctu-
atty. He had FIVE children by her, of
whom three are living the eldest being a
boy thirteen years of age. No quarrel
ever took place between the spouses, and
the failing health of his wife was appar-
emily source of sincere sorrow to Mr..
0strander.
Early in 1868 he made the acquain-
lance Of Miss Hannah v Richards, the
daughter Of the proprietor of the Rich
ards Greenwich foundry, in Perry street.
OF her he became deeply enamored, con-
trasting her young charms with the faded
face and the languid manner of his in
valid wife. In July Of the same year he
sought her hand in marriage, was ac-
cepted, took her up to Newburgh, where
they were united, and brought her down
to her father house, where he paid for
her board and his own, alleging that his
employment as a travelling salesman pre-
vented him hiring house, as it would be
too lonely for her when he was away
Making the plea of business, be left her
there after a short time and returned to
the arms Of his first wife, who was then
boarding in West Eleventh street He
remained with her some time, went away,
as he said, on business, and returned to
No. 2. In course Of time this lady
blessed him with child, which appeared
to crown the summit of his happiness, so
perfectly did he dissemble.
But his affection for the second wife
really became so strong as to make him
forget his hitherto prudent course. He
neglected his FIRST wife altogether; never
paid her board, never visited her widowed
mother, who resided in Ashland Place,
not stone s-throw from the residence OF
wife No. 2. The mother-in-law of No. L
took counsel thereat with the unpaid
landlord. A detective was sent for, was
furnished with photograph of the cul-
prit, aud ordered to reckon him up.
He soon discovered his little game,
traced him TO 723 Greenwich street, saw
wife No. and her baby, and came back
to his employers with the full particulars
The landlord, at his suggestion, went to
the ball Of the Twenty-second Regiment,
and recognized him there with lady on
his arm, whom the detective informed
him was wife No 2, bearing the name of
Mrs. Lockwood, under which names 0s-
trander had married her. Convinced Of
the accuracy of the detective statement, /
the landlord went to 723 Greenwich street
and revealed the per6dy Of the man.
The unfortunate lady reproached him
bitterly for his conduct, aud 20 her tears
and upbraidiug be offered the pitiful plea
that he was convinced when he married
her his first wife was at the point Of
death. and he was afraid that be might
lose her IL he delayed his marriage with
her. She pointed to the door, bade him
leave her. and never 10 re-enter the house
On Thursday 0strander went 10 the
landlord, paid him the amount due. aud
conjpred bin to preserve silence, as be
would be q rlined maa- if jhe eiaiier
we're to become public through the press.
The landlord answered him shortly, and
would not promise anything Of the kind.
Inc culnrits dread Of publicitx Is en-
hspced By the fact that be has hitherto
professed extreme piety, sung hymns
Nth unction at home and abroad, would