The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-10-12

The following is vonched for by one G.
B. Tyler, correspondent of the Greer
Bay Gazette
"One of the NEST novel cases Of matri
mony on record is given below. and YOU
ched for by the writer, who, being a
nephew of the groom, and having atten-
ded the wedding, is well acquainted with
all the circumstances connected with this
strange matrimonial anomaly.
Mr.. William Bruce, gentleman hv-
ing in comfortable circumstances upon
the bank of Suamico river, in Suamico,
Brown county, Wisconsin. is highly re-
spected by the community in which he
lives, as has been evinced by his being
elected, from time to time, to ill most
of the various township offices. He has
also enjoyed most eff the blessings of life,
being in good health and peculiarly cir
cumstances, having a valuable farm and
| pleasant home. But one thing was
lacking to make home all gladness-a
help meet to share with him the joys of
the household.
Last winter his niece from Pennsylva-
MIA, visited him, and, discovering his
want, gave him the address of a lady
friend of hers, living at Lynn. Susque-
hanna county, Pa, and recommended
her as one in every way suitable ty adorn
his home. Her name is Mary Knapp,
who was consort of the late venerable
Justus Knapp, Of Lynn, Pa, She is an
intelligent, cultivated, and highly respect
ed lady, and beloved by all who know
her. A communication Immediately
sprang up between them, and love grew
and thrived even through a medium as
matter of fact as Uncle Sans mails, and
finally resulted in an engagement. About
this time her affianced had an an attack
Of neuralgia, which settled in his eyes,
and so affected them that within four
months after they had become engaged
he was almost totally blind. Though he
had become very much attached to her
through this correspondence, yet sense
Of duty led him to inform her of his
misfortune, and to extend an offer to re-
lease her from her engagement. There
upon she wrote him a very kind and
sympathetic letter, in which she stated
that if he were doomed to suffer for life
that aWeful affliction of blindness, he
was much more than ever in need Of a
wife to care for him through life, and
tighten the burden Of his dark and dis
NAL pilgrimage upon earth; and therefor
that she had no desire to be released
fiom the solemn compact Of marriage
which she had taken. As she was in
possession of a desirable home, living
among many kind relatives and friends,
and In such pecuniary circumstances as
to insure her support for life, thereby
showing she did not act fIom niercinary
motives, Is it not case displaying in
her j wonderful degree of set-sacrifce
mingled with love? Indeed, no woman
living among relatives and friends, and
enjoying the comforts Of life, would leave
those blessings, and travel alone a thou
sand miles to a strange place, there tc
marry man subject to lifelong blindness
and one whom she had never seer, unless
she were actuated by spirit of love IN
precedcuted, or sense OF duty eXtraor
binary.
However, a few weeks ago the expec
tant bride arrived, and the meeting witt
the bethlothed was warm and affection
ate, but, Of course, somewhat disadvan
tagcous. Soon afterwards accompan
led him to the Eye inhrmary at Chicago
to learu if any relief from his blindness
could be afforded; but. alas! no encour
agement Was given, Prof. Holmes pro
nounced it dropsy of the eye, diseas
so far advanced as to admit Of no hope
Of recovery. Returning home with
sad and heavy heart. his fate was disclose
to his bride and relatives. Thong
touched to the heart with sorrow, We
even this did not dissuade her from tn
noble purpose to assume for life the bun
den to care for one who had suddenly be
come as helpless as child, but who ha
spent many years in active toll.
| The wedding day was appointed, an
the nuptials were celebrated August StE
1871, by which time he had become,
may bc SAID. iotuiy blind, not havin
sight enough to enable Tim to distinguis
one from another of his own funiiy TIL
palr were now, however, living in comm
bal bliss. And why shouldl' t they
She rendered unto him with a kind
hand and heart, every act Of kindness i
ner power, attending 20 every want an
need with watcbfui eye; aud he full
appreciates it with feelings Of grateful
na,s.
As he has never had the pleasure {
seeing her whom he had promised 1t
love, honor, and cherish who can den
in this case, the truth of the adase-
Love is bEnd?" Love at firstsig ]tt
has always been considered rare pb'
nomenon of the tender passion-br
what is love without sight at all?
|
HOME CoURTEsIES. II am one
taose whose lot in life has been to so OF