Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-22


ON widow, who had evidently worn her
weeds long enough to be quite willing to
change them for gayer garments. The
youthful charms Of Strider attracted her at
tention, and while she gaZed
"Her bosom glowed, the subtle fame
Ran quickly through her frame"
She was was smitten, and with all the de-
termination of her sex she vowed to
make him her husband. To carry out
her plans she procured the services of
faithful ally, who lured him to her house
aud introduced the unsuspecting youth 10
the tender-hearted widow. That was
enough for her. The gudgeon once hooked,
she was too experienced an angler in the sea
Of matrimony to let him.escape. His visits
to her house were frequent and her well
coming smiles grew more bewitching each
day. In July, 1864, Strider was mustered
out of the service, and in December of the
same year, before he had seen his nineteenth
winter, he became the possessor Of the fes-
tive widow and her daughter, child nine
| years of age. He commenced to work at
! his trade, and being industrious and TEN
| perate, be soon earned enough to make a
| payment on house and lot, into which be
moved bis penates.
1t is necessary to mention here that Mrs
| Strider's first husband had been Widower,
and had family when he married her.
! Previous to her marriage with Strider, her
| brother had married her step-daughter-he
| first husbands daughter. Among the visit
ors at Strider's house was this step daughter
Of his wife, and as she was thoroughly &C
| quainted with the mysteries of euchre and
''seven-up," he often spent an evening play
ing cards with her. Alas. the spotted paste
boards which have brought sorrow and
ruin into many family, were the origin of
Strider's troubles. His wife began TO COM
plain when she saw him sitting up night
after night, often till o'clock, or even
quarter after it, (their bed roam was used
as sitting room also) shutting, dealing
and calling out unintelligible words in ex-
cited tones, TO her step-daughter, or rather
sister-in-law. She watched them after re-
firing to bed, and thought she could
perceive more amusement than legitimately
belonged to the game passing between the
two. Either the candle fliSkered occasionally
or Strider Winked from time to time across
the table at his opponent. The light in the
room was not too obscure to prevent her
from seeing him press his foot on the little
CATERS beneath the table, and to witness a
flash Of tender intelligence pass between
the players. There was something more
than usually suggestive in the way
they talked aOout +" hearts" be-
ing " trumps." At all events, she did
not like the increasing warmth of their
friendship. She took occasion to breach
the subject to her husband one day, and
asked him what he meant by "such con-
duct as those" He repelled her insinua-
tions with scorn, and told her he would
play cards when and with whom he pleased.
He didn't though few days afterwards
the card-playing step-daughter left Strider's
house with (metaphorically speaking) flea
in her ear. She never returned to re-
new the card-playing. Strider was in
consolable at being deprived Of his |
evening amusement. A bright idea struck |
him, however. He would teach his step
daughter how to handle the paste-boards. |
She soon learned the game he loved so |
dearly, and night after night they enjoyed |
themselves over the cards. She had grown |
to be blooming young woman, nearly |
seventeen years OF age, and though she was
only related to him by marriage, be loved |
her as dearly as though she were
bis own child. His wife began
to suspect that the affection was
something more than parental, and
''trifes Light as air." convinced her
that her husband was making improper
overtures to her daughter. Circumstances
were favorable to the supposition. Strider
was only 26 years Of age, she was ten years
his senior, while the girl was II years of
age. Still, she had nothing but her suspi-
ciOns TO charge against Strider, and she kept
the fire of jealousy pent up in her heart.
Her passion, however, demanded some
mode of expression, and she began to i'll
treat her daughter. Her conduct be-
came so offensive at le9gth that
Strider interfered in behalf Of the
girl. 1t was the match that touched
the long accommodating gas of jealousy
which filled her heart nigh to bursting. An
explosion ensued which shook the matri-
mOnial fabric to its foundation and loosen
ed the family ties which had so long bound
them together. In her fury she threatened
to turn her daughter ont of doors. The
storm subsidized, but the connubial cloud re-
fused to clear of. The sky Of their happi-
ness were dimmed forever. The girl was
subjected to continual abuse from the one
who, of all others, should have been her
best friend and guide. Ere
gently Mrs. Strider expressed her
to send the girl to live with
ler half-sister who resides in Nashville.
Strider, sick Of the endless broils at home
and of the jealous temper of his wife, de-
,ided to separate from her forever. Fear
ng to leave the girl alone with her mother,
le proposed to bring her to Nashville and
cave her with her halfsister. Ha partially
,arried out his plan Monday last He
brought her to Nashville, but on arriving in
he city, he was Immediately arrested on a
telegram from Pulaski, charging him
With abducting his step-daughter.
His plan was TO have proceeded to Union
,ity alone, after leaving the girl in Nash
lille, and to work at his trade till he could
1arn enough to pay out for his house and
OF in Pulaski. He would then settle the
property on his wife and children and sepa-
ate quietly from one with whom he could
lot live in peace.
His arrest in Nashville de feated his we'll
aid plans, and he has been conveyed back
o Pulaski TO be tried in the courts Of that {
ity. His step-daugbter is still in Nashville,
topping with his half sister,