The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-07-20

Another EnOch Arden Returns
After Sixteen Kears-But not
10 Die.
From the Boston /

The latest romantic incident in this city
which has come, TO light had its denoue
ment in the Highland district last week,
and the ''lazy gossips" have had new
theme for discussion attheir "cacklingpar
ties" The story is in some respects
similar to the one told in the musical
numbers of Tennyson's "Enoch Arden.
But truth is ever plucking the flowers OF
poesy, and this is why, perhaps, it has
been said that she lis stranger than
| fiction" Instead of sorrowful separa-
ton by misfortune, we have an 'Enoch"
who deliberately deserted his Annie.
But let the facts speak for themselves.
About twenty years ago james II. Gray,
an industrious young journeyman car
riage-maker, employed in the new, large
factory of Mr.. John L. Smith, was mar
ried to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the
late John Jones, then engaged in the
manufacture of rubber combs
Mr.. and Mrs. Gray lived amicably, to
all appearances, for nearly four years,
one child, a lovely girl, having blessed
their union. About this time Mr.. Gray
left home and did not return. Mrs. Gray,
thus left alone to battle with life, looked
about for means of making the conflict as
advantageous TO herself and child as
possible. A legacy from deceased re-
lative n New York came to her about this
time, and with it she opened millinery
store, in which business she has continu-
ed with abundant success. In about Is
months there came to Roxbury a report
of Mr. Gray's death in the South. So
good was the authority that no one doubt
ed its truth, and none more sincerely
accepted it as such than his wife. The
months wore on, the millinery business
prospered, the widows weeds were laid
aside, and four years after the separation,
Mrs. Gray again married, this time a
rising young man in Roxbury, carpen-
ter by trade, whose business tact and
thrifty habits had won the esteem of the
community. His name is John L.
Crimp, and he is well-knOwn now as one
of the most reliable builders in the city.
To his enterprise the Highlands are in
debted for many of the beautiful cottages
which adorn the streets, and which de-
light the occupants as well as the obser-
vers. The second has been an eminently
happy marriage to both parties. The
millinery business is still prosecuted at
1881 Washington street; Mr.. Crimp's
fortune has been gradually augmented;
the child of Mr.. and Mrs. Gray has de-
veloped into beautiful girl Of nineteen,
and until Wednesday last there was not
a shade Of sorrow to dim the loving light
which illumined their elegant home at
"a Warren street.
Last Tuesday evening, Mr.. Smith, the
carriage maker, was much surprised to
see his old employee, James II. Gray,
walk into his now much changed and
enlarged Office and Familiarity shake him
by the hand Very naturally the hus-
band inquired for the wife and child
from whom he had been absent sixteen
long years. His own story was told in
few words. He went South, had lived
in Alabama and Louisiana, and at the
breaking out of the war had secured a
position as commissary in the Southern
army. His speculations were successful
during the war, and since then the same
good fortune has attended him. He
says he now has large cotton plantation
in Alabama, and is amply able to support
a family. Why he went away, and why
he did not write home, he for some reason
keeps to himself, but expresses the ut
most sorrow for having done as he did.
Mr.. Smith easily acquainted him with the
facts, and showed him to the house of
brother-in law, by whom he was well
treated. Subsequently Mr.. Gray had an
interview with his daughter, who was
rejoiced to see father in the flesh; albeit
she has had no reason to think other than
with love of him who for twelve year had
discharged the duties of that relation.
At last accounts Mr.. Gray and Mrs.
Crimp had not met, and it is not likely
they will. The former lays no claim TO
the latter, and says She did perfectly
right. The only regret expressed by
Mrs. c, is that she accepted and did not
procure divorce Oh the ground of deser-
ion, as she could easily have done Mr.
Gray will leave for his home in the South
in a few days, determined that no act of
his shall again cause a gloomy shadow to
rest upon the happy household.