The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-05-27
A Sad Story.

A few days since, says the Pittsburgh
Chronicle. we published little paragraph
to the effect that Florella Linton had disap
peared from the home of her parents, and
was earnestly entrearsd by them to return
to them if she were still alive. The story
connected with this paragraph is strange
and sad, though not, We are sorry to say,
singular one.
Flerella Linton is girl of about eighteen
years of age, and very beautiful. She is the
daughter of respectable prrents Of ths mid
die class. living in the Sixth ward Ct this
city. The parents are members of the
Church of God" in this place, and their
daughter was we'll and strictly brought up.
Some months ago Florella was on a visit
to West Newton, and there made the &C
quaintance of 3 man who passed by the
name of Jacob Shelby. He was q man Of
prepossessiDg appearance and good address
and very popular among the Christian pop
ulation of the place. He was a regular at
tsndan. at church, and on prayer meeting"
night his presence was always looked for,
and he rarely disappointed expectation by
staying away. He wus strong In e1horta-
tion and edifying in prayer. Altogether. he
seemed a most exemplary man. His ac-
qnaintancs with Florella rapidly ripened
into intimacy, and eventually resulted in q
marriage engagement.
Florella returned homo, and soon Shelby
followed her to the city. where he went into
business. He satisfied the girls parents as
to his good character, and they approved
the proposed MAJ Triage. Some six months
ago the marriage was consummsted, and
the couple commenced keeping house" in
the same ighborhood with the brides fam
lily. For awhile the husband and wife were
happy, and life seemed very bright before
them.
About month ago letter which the
husband had carslessly dropped at his father
| in-law's house was picked up. Some recent
events had made the fathsr-in-av vaguely
| suspicious, and he opened and read the let
ter. 1t contained allusions to his son in
laws children, and indicated that they were
soon to be sent to Pittsburgh. Florella's
husband was ''intsrviewed" by hei parents.
and after some circumlocution he acknowl-
adged that he bad a wife ard three children
living in Colorado. The manner in which
this acknowledgement was received may be
imagined. The man who made the confes-
sion promised to leave Pittsburgh il twenty
four hours, with the promise that If be over
returned to the city he should be prosecuted
for bigamy. Sipcs this time he has disap-
peared from the scene.
In the gsntlest manner possible the iufor-
nation was conveyed to the daughter, who
had marriage certificate and yet was not
a wife. Her grief and despair were terrible.
She was almost distracted, and II was feared
that her reason would permanently leave
her. She declared that she could not live to
face the world after this blow. The parents
| soothsd her as well as they could, and took
her to their home, where a close watch was
kept upon her, to prevent her carrying
suicidal threats into execution.
Eventually she became calmer, and seems
ed resigned to her great sorrow. About a
week ago, with her mothers consent, she
left the house. to 60 to her former home, for
the purpose cf bringing back sorns of her
clothing. She promised to be gone no more
than an hour. but from that time to this she
has neither been seen nor heard of. Her
parents fear. and with too great reason, that
she has committed suicide. No trace of
her has been discovered. though her photo
graph has been furnished to detective. and
every effort has been made to find some clue
to her whereabouts.
Her mother during her search for her
encountered young man who had paid his
addresses to the girl, and had been rejected
by her in favor of the man who betrayed
her. To him she told the story of wrong
and sorrow. The young man at once enter
cd heart and soul into the search. and de-
clares that If the unfortunate girl can be
found, and will accept his hand. he will
marry ber in spite of all that has occurred.
We have given the statements as they
were made to us by responsible parties, and
can only express the hope that the search of
the friends may be rewarded with success.