Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-12-21
A Romantic Affair.

| tic troubles and separation which WOuld
make excellent material for first-class ro-
nance. The parties to the affair are both
residents of this city-or, rather, were
residents, rs one has not lived here since
the commencement of the trouble, quite
number Of years ago. We withhold the
names of the parties for prudential rea-
sons.
The affair dates back long period Of
years. In 1853, young mana book
keeper in one Of our wholesale business
houses Of that time-becamc infatuated
with handsome young girl living in the
lived on the most happy terms for five
wears. having two children-onc bright,
Intelligent boy, and the other n little girl.
The husband was kind and good-natured;
but when he became incensed at anybody
land he never would become SO without
cause), but little observed the religious
maxim, "Forget and forgive" This, we
might say, was bis only fault, but it was
bad fault with him, and he allowed him
self TO carry it even into his own house
hold.
One evening he came home to supper;
he was in great hurry as it was brisk
season in his employers business, and he
was compelled to work ut night upon his
books The supper was not ready when
he reached home, and he told his wife to
prepare ii ut once 1t had been clean
ing day. at the house, and the poor wife
had been truding and working so hard all
day that she neglected to prepare supper
at the usual hour This the husband was
not aware Of and, as we have said, when
he came home he asked to have supper
without delay. The wife replied that she
would get it ready in few minutes; the
husband said he couldn't wait minute,
but never told his wife that he had to work
that evening. His reply somewhat in
censed the poor, hard worked woman, and
in an angry tone she said to him:
"If you can't wait few minutes you
had better go out and get your supper
somewhere else" These, the first unkind
words that had ever passed between them,
proved fatal to the domestic happiness of
that household The husband at once took
his hat and left the room. The next day
he went TO bank where he had eighteen
hundred dollars of his earnings deposited
drew out all the money, and left for parts
unknown.
About four months afterward the now
distracted wife--who, a few moments after
she had uttered the few little words that
had caused so much trouble to that house
hold, became bitterly sorry for it, and en-
deavored to keep her husband from leav-
ing the house--received letter from him,
dated Los Angeles, California, and reading
about as follows:
JENNIE In writing this do not mean to
reproacb you. 1t is impossible for us to live
together after what you said to me the even
ing left. We will never see each other again,
but ] wish you every happiness. Take care
oi the children, and see that they are brought
up well. Never tell them Of the separation
Of their father and mother Tell them died
when they were babes. God bless them.
Good By, forever.
=. ST. send you herewith draft for $500,
which will probably be Of some use TO you
and the children.
The husband, itappears, left Los Angeles
after he had been there but a short time,
and went to San Francisco. There, reflect
ing over what he had done, he became over
come with grief, and like many others, re-
sorted To the flowing bowl To drown his
sorrow, and finally took up with dcpraved
society. II WAS but the work Of very
short time TO get rid Of what money he had
in this manner He finally came TO his
senses when his money ran out, foreswore
the use of Intoxicating liquors for the bal
ance Of his lifetime, and made determi-
nation TO redeem himself, and yet To be a
useful member of society lie entered a
store as bookkceper, and by industry and
close attention To his work made enough to
start himself in business on a small scale.
He prospered from the start, and in the
course Of about three years he invested all
his money i'm a speculation, which for
tunatcly turned out successful, and from
that time he was what might be called
"wcll fixed" SO far AS finances arc con-
cerncd.
In his prosperity, the more he thought
of his wife and family the more he grieved,
and he determined to write to his wife and
see how she and the little ones were get
ting along; and, If they needed money, to
let him know, and he would send them
whatever they wanted. This was in 1864.
No reply was received to this letter, and
the husband again wrote. Still no reply
came. He then addressed letter asking
his wife If she would agree to live with him
again. Not word ever came from her,
and half Disguised, half disheartened he
did not write again for about three years.
The thought of his family again overcame
him, and at the lapse of the three years he
wrote couple more letters, only with the
same result
He recently determined to make pill
grimage to the Smoky City, to ascertain
whether his wife was dead or alive; and, if
living, to make atonement for his errors,
and, If possible, return to the bosom of
his family. He had now become man
worth probably $4,000.
About ten days ago the husband left
San Francisco, and arrived here last Fri
day. He made inquiry for his wife and
family, and found that the once partner of