The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-04-27

ment. The social lines were not so
strongly marked and scrupulously
guarded then as now, and hence the
young and beautiful stranger was
soon received into the best company
number Of friends ont
side her business circle, among 9TH
ers q Mrs. b., . prominent member
of the Baptist church, at whose house
Lizzie was . afrequent visitor. She,
in timc, attached herself 70 that
church and became most exemplary
member.
During her visits 10 Mrs. E. she
met Phillip Slaughter, himself one of
the pillars Of the church, who, alter
living in single blessedness for years,
enjoying his wealth and family sss-
tion oil alono, soon conceived ten
der sentiment for the young and
lovely sister. Old bachelors are con-
sidered public properly ia 90 far that
y lively public interest is always
manifested in their matrimonial wol-
fare, and hence it WAS not long after
the match makers put their heads TO-
gethcr until the twain wero made
ono. The marriage ceremony was
performed ut the Baptist church, then
standing on tho southwest corner Of
Fifth and Green. the Rcv. Mr.. Buck
officiating. The happy bride and
groom, accompanied BY a nun Dor Of
their brothers and sistors, repaired
to tho residence Of Mr.. Slaughter,
about ton miles from the city, on the
Bards.own pike, to partako Of the
uiual festivities.
The honeymoon witnessed anu
mutual growth OF admiration between
the two, and nos only the honcy-
moor, but several other moons, ,waxod
and wancd, and drippcd with honey
'sswcctcr than the honeycomb." 1'eI
Alas! that name avarics and bra-
tality should break in to mar and
destroy q scene Of happiness like
this! 4p 03
About sunset one evening the door.
boll rang. Lizzie-now Mrs. Slaugh-
ter-lett her husbands bedside Che
was confined to his room by slight
illness at this tims), arranged her
toilet, and descended to the parlor.
One piercing scream, that startled
tho echoes and shook tho rafters,
aroused Mr.. Slaughter, who rushed
down stairs. What was his aston
ishment and dismay when he iound
his bride fainting on the floor, and .
strange gentleman, attended by 4
policeman, banding over her. i.
"Sir," said the stranger, "this wo-
man is my slave. Her nsme 10 Ne.
linda Cass. / am . Missiseippian.-
here.is the bill OF sale. / bought hos
few months before 81 , escaped from
my home. havo becn on her track
for long time; and now she mast
return with me-" au !5 III 4yisaa
The distrcss of this unfortunate
couple drew, at once; largs con-
course Of their friends. who were a
much ut loss v hat 10 advise in the
midst OF these strange revelations, as
wero those most dooply concerned.
Tho husband, after the frat psrnx-
ysm OF his grief hai subsided, vowed
eternal fidelity TO his wife, bond or
free, and, with the assistance of Dea-
con Elliot, Rev. Mr.. Buck, and 9th
crs, il was arranged that to quicl
matters, the stranger should be in
demnified for the loss of bis slave,
and . IittIe party Of friends mot at
tho Cali House. where the MIssissip-
plan received 500 for compensation,
and returned home ~ :
But Mr.. s. being q rather feeble.
minded and easily influenced man,
was SO beset by bis relatives that be
abandoned his wife, a. they c0uld mol
tolerate one in such relation a that
who had ono drop of African blvod
in hor veins, however concealed be
meath y fair exterior. He turned the
poor woman into the street, and she
broken hearted, went from place te
place in the capacity Of q seamstress
aoon after giving birth to . son.
Sho managed to support herself ant
child, and to boar up under all he
misfortunes until Mr.. s. married an
other. She at onco took to her bod
was kindly attended by the Sister
OF Charity, and . few Of tho Baptis
sisters in the city, until she died Of
broken heart.