The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-08-09
EnOch Arden in Missouri.

The assertion that "truth is etran-
ger than iiction' is certainly iluy.
tratod in the folling sketch, and We
orc indebted TO J. G. Ry an, tho clerk
Of the steamer St. Luke, for the prin-
cipal items:
During the first year Of the war,
j. NJ. Wmdrup left bis pleasant
home in Central Missouri and should
cred his muskct to fight for what ho
considered right, and to spill his
blood, if necessary, in defence OF tho
Confederate cause. At home he left
young wife aud one child, and from
that time till last Sunday thcy never
heard from him. Mr.. Waldrnp pass.
cd through the struggle safely, and
was rarolcd In St. Louis in 1865.
So soon as he could earn money
enough he started to find his wife and
child. He visited his old home, and
called on his neighbors. But his
search was unsuccessful. The only
information hc received was that his
wifo had taken tho child and goDo
to live with some relatives in Gala
way County. Visiting Galloway
County, he obtained work on farm
and settled down to ponder over the
Whereabouts Of his wifo md child,
and to earn money enough TO con.
tinuc the search. Ia the meantime
Mrs. Waldrup had heard that her
husband was dead, md had gouo 10
live with somo relation near Cedar
City, opposite Jefferson City, Mis-
souri,. Hero sho became acquainted
with well-to-do blacksmith, whose
name We have not learned. Iu due
time they were married, and last
week were living in their comfortable
home at Cedar City, and Mrs. Wald-
rup had blessed tho blacksmith with
three fine children, tho eldest five
years old. last Saturday Mr. Wald-
rup rodo lcisurcly into Cedar City,
and halting Mt tho blacksmith shop
requested that worthy to shoe his
horse. While conversiug on tho heat
of tho weather, crops &C., tho black
smith learned Waldrup's story, and
having heard his wife tell about her
lost husband, surmised the truth, and
in his blunt honesty invited Mr.. Wal
rup to 90 over to the house with him
The recognition was mutual, and the
wife tainted in her first husbands
arms. After tho first agitation Mr. Wad.
lup went back to the blacksmith shop,
aud tho men talked tho matter
over scnsibly and coolly, and agreed to
allow tho woman to decide as to which
man sho would cling. After ponder
ing the matter over in her own mind
the doubly-matcd lady decided to 90
with her first husband, on condition
that tho second allow her to take the
children. BY somo process Of reason
ing, incxplicablc to US, ho decided to
give up wife and children, and Mr..
Mrs. Waldrup decided to come
to st. Louis. Yesterday the St.
Luke stopped at tho landing, and MIR.
w. came on board and engaged
passage for himself and three children
and the blacksmith assisted his vito
on board, aud then brought on the
children. Then came an effecting
scene that brought toars to the eyes
OF captain, clerks and passengers
The deserted husband took first ono
child then tho other in his arms, and
kissed thom passionatcly, while tho
tears rolled down his checks. Then
he bid good bye to his wife, who
seemed deeply affected, and lastly to
Mr.. Waldrup. Tho two men gazed
into each others faces, shook hands
long and earnestly, aud then the
blacksmith, by strong effort Of will,
released tho hands of Mr.. Waldrup
and walked quickly ashore, never
turning his face toward tho boat.