The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-10-08
From tho Toledo { Ohio Blade.
A veritabls Enoch Arden Case.

"a MAN RESIGNS HIS WIFE TO ANOTHER
MAN. AFTER AN ABSENCE OF FIFTEEN
YEARS. ..f,.o,
M A remarkable instance of self-sacri6ce
has just been narrated to us by an old
resident in the southern part of this
county, and we publish it here, giving the
facts as nearly as they can be reproduced
from memoranda taken at the time. The
narrator having received the money of
the unfortunate gentleman in trust for
the children of his wife, was one of the
few who were even aware of the circum-
stances as they really were, and the death
OF the lady in question has removed the
seal which has hitherto prevented the
publication Of the story.
Nearly eighteen years ago, young
man named P--purchased small
farm in the location alluded to, and mar.
rie1 the daughter of neighboriug farm.
er. They had one child, and for several
years, in the uneventful round of daily
duties, lived a life of happiness. But
unfortunately for himself and family, the
spirit of gain took possession Of his soul,
and he gradually became possessed Of an
iuordinate craving for wealth. He be.
came dissatisfied with the small but
steady profits accumulating from his
farm, and began to indulge in specula.
tions of various kinds, in which at first
he proved quite successful. On one oc.
caslon bis business took him to Philadel-
phia, and he went with quite large sum
OF money in his possession, which he had
borrowed to aid him 10 prosecuting the
speculation IN which he was engaged
lie was to return 10 three weeks, but
that elapsed, aud he did not make his ap-
pearauce. Tho three weeks heightened
luto four, then five ; months elapsed and
still no news Of him reached his afflicted
family. A year passed by, and as no
tldngs came, he was given up for dead
His creditors, who had from time to time
deferred the presentation of their claims,
now pressed 10, the little home was sold,
aud the forlorn woman with her infant
son was turned out upon the world
Though 40 word came to this more than
widow, she could not reliuquish all hope.
Many offers Of marriage we're made to
her, but she refused them all, still firmly
believing that hcr husband would return,
ln vain it was urged that the Urge sums
ot money in his possession had tempted
the rufliaus that iniest the large cities,
and that he had in all probability been
80. I.ral l., L.. l..
ed that, if living, he would certainly
have communicated with her in some
manner His well known integrity ren.
dered it improbable that he had aoscond.
ed simply for the money in his possession,
and all save his wife believed that he
had been foully dealt with.
After the lapse of nine years, which
rolled their weary weight over her head
without bringing any tidings Of the miss
ing man, wealthy gentleman offered her
his hand. Her parents and friends urged
her to accept, it only for the sake of her
iatherless child, and finally she gave a
reluctant consent, and was married.
One winters night. nearly six years
after the marriage, the family were seat
ed about the fire, when the eldest boy
was sent into the gard for wood. He
came in evidently much excited, and said
that he had seen a strange man looking
about the house. The father made au
effort to quiet him, but paid no further
attention to the matter, supposing it was
merely boyish fright. The next morn.
ing, however strange rumors were current
in the neighborhood. One man had been
stopped the day previous by stranger
who inquired ii Mrs. P-was still liv.
ing in that locality. In reply to thi.
question the stranger was informed Of
Mrs. P-'s marriage and her present
residence. The stranger had at once
started in that direction, and his inform
ant, though it was almost dark. fully be
leved it TO be P-himself, though i
had been fifteen years since he had beer
seen 10 that vicinity. His former wifi,
Was greatly agitated when this story wa,
told her. but her husband, though trou
bled, tried to satisfy himself that hi
neighbor was mistaken.
Three years rolled by, and nothing wa
heard of p, ill one dismal Apri
morning his former wife received a tele
gram, brought by special messenger from
the nearest station, urging her to come a
once to Newcastle, Penn, if she woulc
see her rightful husband alive. Greatly
shocked and startled by this message from
one who seemed to her long dead, sht
and her second husband STATED at once
They found P-without difficulty. bu
stretched upon bed of sickness, aud sad
y wasted by the gnawings Of disease.
la Il feeble and broken voice, and littl,
by little, as his strength would perm
him, he told tn m his story. On arriv,
+ lug in Philadelphia he found that hi
most promising enterprise was iailur,
and all he had was lost. An offer to jon
a company just fi',iug ou. ship for thu
West indles, came opportunely, as hi
thought, and in the hope OF recovering hi
fortunes, he embarked in the project will
what little money he had in his posses
sion, and went to recover his loss Ii,
had written to his wife before sailing, bu
the letter never reached its destination
The adventure proved disastrous, the YES
sci was wrecked and our alventurer oare
ly escaped with his life.
At this stage he determined not to re
turn home till he had accumulated for
tune, and, half crazed with his Affections
shipped as common sailor to Eng gland
FROM that country he went to Brazil, ,an'
) in the course Of his succeeding wander
ipgs visited nearly every country on tn
face Of the globe, and at the end of fl
teen years he had accumulated reason
: able competence. and determined to re
9 turn home, He had resolved never t
t make himself known to his wife, it h
r could discover that she was well care,
: for. He found that his wife had Ion
, mournad him as Ia.d hnt that sha h..