The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-04-10
A Curious Case.


In 1S7--, on the steamer -, from
Louisville to Bowling Green, was quite a
large party Of passengers. We had got
Zen some distance up Green River, when,
Ut some landing, Il gentleman and lady
came aboard registered as man and wife,
and We're duly assigned a state-room in
the ladies' cabin. The boats cabin pre-
s'nted the usual varied scene, some read
ING, several groups at the card tables, and
Knots here and there engaged in conversa-
lion. In a few minutes a waiter came
forward and told the captain that the lady
Just come aboard wished to see him in her
room. who, q little surprised and wonder
inc, went Immediately back and Knocked
At the door, which was hestatinglv, eau
tiously, with evident signs of trepidation,
opened. They were both Enthusiastically
much alarmed. and the lady appealed to
the captain piteously for protection. To
his astonished inquiries about the cause
of Ill this, she explained that, in passing
down the hail she recognized a man who
bad been her husband, but from whom
she had separated and married again, and
who had driven them from their homes
with threats Of violence, and followed
them with every possible annoyance; that
they had but Just left a place in Indiana,
as they thought, secretly, when 10 and
behold here he was after them in Ken
uckyi She was in despair, and implored
the captain TO protect them. He assured
Her Chat he would, but begged her to
point out the man. as he was acquainted
with nearly all, and could not imagine
which one ii could be. After much i'm
pogtunlty, the curtain beng partially
drawn so as to secure her from view, she
was at last prevailed upon to pass eau
touslv out, her husband standing behind
her and evidently equally frightened The
righteousness of the scene presented here
may be imagined Her eye, with terrified
fascination, at last rests upon him, and
she points out Mr.. =, we'll known to
the captain,-a gentleman whom he had
known for ars.--well knew he was not
married and had every reason to believe
never had been.
The captain assured her she was mis-
taken; that he knew the fact above related
in legaid TO the man, and that it could
not be true. She said vehemently, II
know it is him. Do you think it possible
that | could live with man three years
in the relation of wife, that only q few
weeks should intervene since | saw him,
and then be unable to recognize him or
mistake another for him9'
This was a poser sure enough, and to 4
stranger to all the parties, convincing and
unanswerable But, then, there stood the
living, ineradcable, insurmountable fact
that this was John =, and not Mr..
had known for five or six years that he
was not married and had not been within
{l.,{ c. I,,,1 t[ k,,
able to convince the other. proposed to
bring him up for closer inspection, but
she was too much afraid of him to con-
sent; but repeated assurances of protec
ton at last prevailed, and | went out for
him. Calling him out from his card party
briefly told him what had occurred, and
in his wondering amazement he assumed
something Of the appearance of a fright
encd culprit. Brought face to face, the
ludicrousness and singularity of the case
eliminated. He commences:
"What is this you accuse me of, madam,
OF being your former husband, of follow
inc yon with threats to kill, etc? Why, |
do not know you-never saw you before
on earth, to my knowledge. and | never
had wife"
She, answering, "What, sir? You deny
that your name is -, that you were
once my husband, and that we separated
in --. Indiana?'
He--"Yes, madam, do deny it, each
and all, and most emphaticaily.'
By this time, quite u crowd had been
attracted as witnesses and auditors. She
evidently was not convinced of her mis-
take and, after slight pause, says:
"Well, there is one way to decide this
question of veracitv between you and my
SELF. If you are Mr.. --, and my former
husband, you have Il deep scar in the edge
of ana hidden by your hair, and at the
top Of your forehead"
Imagine the scene here. All are eager
to see the result of this test, as he pulls
off his hat, and STOPPING, presents his
head for close inspection. She nervouslv
raises his haT, looks, and looks again
there was no scar to be seen. He feels
that he has trumphed and the company
present acquit him; but she amazed and
confused, seems but half convinced. Here
the case rests. | have never since seen
or heard of this strangely deluded lady,
but the gentleman, the subject OF this de-
fusion, is still living on Green River, a
respected, good citizen, and the hundreds
who know HIM know this was a mistake,
but mistake utterly incredible and in
comprehensive NOT committed by an
acquaintance, nor even an intimate friend,
but by wife, who had lived with u man
in a marital relation for three of four
years, and only separated from him then
for few months. As case of ''mistaken
Identity" it certainly is without a par
allel
Mrs. Peters, of Laural Run, Pa, put her ear
ont of a car window to listen to an approach
ing bridge, and the tattered remnants of that ear
now tiuter as a warning signal from one of its
spans.
Four things are grievously empty: A
head without hrainS a wit without ludp-