Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-08-24
Man and NiCe
QUEER STORY Prom ST. LOUIS ABOUT WASH
INGTDN CpT~pTR

INGTON COUPLE.
81. Louis paper relates the following
william Thomas, aged thiTtv-tWO, and his wife
mary about twenty years Old, aud three
small children, were living comfortably and
happy IN Washington, ID. g., two years ago.
The husband was one OF the firm of EbeTiy,
Thomas & Co., dealers in stoves aud tinware
About eighteen months ago some disagreement
II the business affairs led 20 a dissolution o.
partnership. Unknown TO his wife, as is alleged.
william withdrew his capital from the concern.
One day he represented, il Is claimed, that he
was gong to Baltimore to buy an addition to his
stock OF goods. His wife anX.0usy waited seve-
raj days for his return, hut a. he did not come
home she gave Information OF his being missing
10 the Masonic Paternity, 10 which belonged,
and they communicated with all the lodges in
he United States, giving full description of
Thomas. After his wife had patiently awaited
his return for month she made up her mind to
herself TO continue the search.
Mrs. Thomas went to Baltimore, and from
Chief OF Police Richards asceTtained that her
husband was in that city but one day. and then
took train on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
for the west. The wife re urned home, and
anXiOusly waited for sixteen months for some
clue TO the whereabouts OF her husband. During
the month of July she received letter from
the Grand Masonic Lodge of Missouri, inform
ing her OF the supposed presence of her husband
in st. Louis, stating that a well-known painter
doing business in st. Louis, and who was per-
sonafIy acquainted with her husband. recoe-
niZed him on the streets of ST. Louis
In last January, but he denied that his
Hdine was 1nODdS, saying IL was collins
Last week Mrs. Thomas came to st. Louis and
stopped at the Planters house. She brought
letters of introduction to the chief OF police, the
Masonic fraternity, and to several citizens.
Last Thursday she called at the Office of the
chief OF police, and laid before the chief clerk
Chapman, detailed description of her hus-
band, his csrte-d e-yisite, and a specimen of his
handwriting. Detective Flanagan, known as
"Old Top" was detailed TO find the husband
Last Friday he discovered that Thomas was
employed as salesman in the Stove establish
meHt of John y. keyser & Co., No. Is south 9Th
street, and under the assumed name of William
Collins. That day Collins had gone on an
excursion, and did not return until next day
Saturday morning Detective Flanagan and Mrs
Thomas, the latter heavily yelled, visited the
store for the purpose of Identifying the missing
man. As the wife reached the store door, her
long absent husband was in the act of making
his exit from the store. She grasped him by the
hand, embraced him, and threw OFF her veil
and impressed an affectiOnate kiss on his cheek.
he was amazed and temporarily paralyzed with
surprise, bat finally laid his head on his wife's
shoulder and wept, and promised to be true to
her, and begged forgiveness for his mysterious
actions the past eighteen months. 1t is supposed
the reunited couple left for Washington Mon
day morning.