The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-11-22
ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.
Twenty YEARS IN wAITING-A RARE N
STANCE OF co NsTANCY AND DEVOTION.

Years ago in Kent county, Md, resided
a prosperous farmer who numbered, among
his family, a bright little girl of three or
four summers and lad about six years
older, the latter of whom lie had taken
to raise. Beswee en- this youthful pair, a
childish intimacy spraGg up. which advanc-
ing years served to strengthen and increase
until they reached the years of manhood
and wCmaDhOOd, when their troth was
plighted, and the day OF their union joyous-
ly looked forward 10, by two happy hearts.
In 1913, when the California gold fever
was spreading like wild-fre over the entire
East, our hero among others, was seized
with the nalady, and, despite his home
connections and the entreatieS of lis al
most bride, decided 70 bid adieu to home
and friends, for a few years, and seek his
fortune i'll this great 81 Dorado OF the far
west. No amount Of persuasion could in
duce him 10 abandon his project and has
lily making preparations, he bade adieu
to the weeping maiden, assured her of his
undying devotion and eternal constancy,
and departed on his long and perilouS jour
Ley.
Four years past by. without any tidings
of the absent orc. and the conclusion was
finally reached that lie had fallen a victim
to the many peris that then beset that re-
oion. and he was m0Erued for as one dead.
During this interval. the farmer had moved
to Wilmington, and established himself in
business t.sere. Among the circle of ac-
quaintances which the family drew around
them. was 4 young man of good cOnuec-
tions and industrious habits, who soon be
came enamored of our heroine, and pro-
posed for her hand in marriage. IT o Igh
her heart was still faithful to her lost lover
she entertained feelings OF the utmost
spect for this latter suitoT, ann yielding to
the solicitations of parents and friends, she
decided to accept him, and the day for the
marriage was appointed.
Almost on the eve Of the wedding day,
when all preparations had been completed
and without a word of previous warning,
the first lover appeared on tie scene, re
ioicing that he had safely reached home to
claim his bride. His grief and astonish-
meut on discovering the state of affairs can
better be ina agined than described. But,
with nobility Of mind and character that
is seldom met with, he acknowledged to
the maiden, who would gladly have return
ed to her hearts allegiance, that such q
state of affairs was produced by his unlOver-
like negligence IN not acquaintiCg her of
his continued existence and braVely sitting
his inclinations, he obeyed the stern be
hests of duty and returned to his VI estern
home.
The marriage ceremony was performed
and lhe years since of welded happiness
have been en- loved by the then discOnso-
late maiden, who although her heart was
auother's, possessed the love of loyal heart
and in the comforts of her home and fam
", found solace FOR her youthful grief.
Children have been borne to her until now
the comely maiden is Staid matrOn. with
blooming daughters, the counterpart of the
mothers former self. About two years
ago her husband died, thus forming anOth-
er link in the chain of curious ci.cumstan-
ces which we are briefly chroniclin%.
During all this time the absent lover re
mained III California. where he succeeded
III amassing a handsome fortune. Occa-
siorly. but very rarely, he would communi-
ate by mail with his Eastern friends. 4
short time ago, in a correspondence with
his brother. in this city. in reference TO
some business affairs, he casually inquired
fu. his former love. as to whether her mar
ita. relations We're of a happy character.
/ u, went the answer: ''She las been n
NJ .nw for two years.
ihree weeks ago a stranger arrived in
this city and stopped at the Washington
House. Inquiring for Ci:y Directory, he
eagerly scanned its pages until his eye
alighted upon the name for which he Nas
searching. when he immediately seized ms
hat and started for the place Of residence
designated. What the emotions of our
haro-for it * needless for r1s to say : bat
the stranger was none other th3n he
must have been. as he stood uoon the steps
of the residence, and rang the bell, it Is
hard to imagine. After twenty years Of
patient, constant devotion, he onoe more
appeared among the scenes of his youthful
DAYS. to stand again III the presence of
the object of his liie's affection, and sue
for the happiness which cruel fate had so
lone denied him. The door was opened
bv the widow herself, who. however, failed
to recognize in the bronzed ard bearded
stranger who stood before her, the one
upon whom the affections Of her youth
had been lavishly bestowed. But when he
addressed her. the well-remenI6CTed voice
from which the musical cadence of aIIh h
had not get departed, caused memory To
flash rapidly back through all the long
years which had elapsed. and the recoglli-
ton was instantaneous and complete.
But little remains TO be told. Yesterday
morning, Our now happy and conrented
hero, accompanied by his equally joyous
bride and herfour children. started for his
Western home. Here we leave tie NTH
the sincere hope that constancy AHA Il de
. votion so rare viii be rewarded 10y its full
mete Of wifely devotion and domestic hap
piness.- Wilmington Gazette