The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-04-30
MISTAKEN IDENTITY--A CURIOUS CASE

from Louisville to Bowling Green,
was large party Of passengers. We
had gotten some distance up Green
River, when, at some landing, a gen.
tleman and lady came abroad, regis
tered as man and wife, and were duly
assigned q stateroom in the ladies
cabin. The boats cabin presented
the usual varied scene, some reading,
several groups at the card tables, and
knots here and there engaged in con-
versation. In few minutes n waiter
came forward and told the Captain
that the lady that had just come
aboard wished to see him in her room,
who, little surprised and wondering,
went Immediately back and knocked
at the door, which was hesitatingly,
cautiously, with evident signs of tre-
pidation, opened. They were both
unmistakably, much alarmed, and the
lady appealed to the Captain piteously
for protection. To his astonished in
quiries about the cause of all this, she
explained that in passing down the
hall she recognised a man who had
been her husband, hHt 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 just left a place in In
diana, as they thought secretly, when
10 and behold here he was after her
in Kentucky! Sho was in dispair and
implored the Captain to protect them.
He assured her he would, but begged
her to point ont the man, as he was
acquainted with nearly all, and could
not imagine which one it could be.
After much importunity, the curtain
being partially drawn to secure her
from view, she was at last prevailed
upon to pass cautiously out, her hus-
band standing behind her, and evident
ly equally frightened. The ridiculous
ness Of the scene here presented may
be imagined. Her eye, with terrified
fascination, at last rests upon him, and
she points out q Mr.. , we'll
known to the Captain-a gentleman
who be had known for years-well
knew he was nat married and had
every reason to believe had never
been,
The Captain assured her she was
mistaken; thay he knew the fact
above related in regard to the man,
and that it could not be true. She
said, vehemently, 81 know it is him.
Do you think it possible that l could
live with man three years in rela-
ton of wife, that only few weeks
should intervene since l saw him, and
then be unable to recognize him or
mistake another for him?"
This was a poser sure enough, and
to stranger to all the parties, cou-
vincing and unansyerable. But then,
there stood the living, incredible,
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 that time. So we had il, nei-
ther being able to convice the other.
proposed to bring him up for closer
inspection, but she was too much
afraid of him to consent; but repeat
ed assurances Of protection at last pre-
vailed, and | went out for him. Call.
ing him out from his card party, l
briefly told him what had occurred
and in his wondering amazement he
assumed something Of the appearance
of frightened oglprit.. brought face
to face, the ludicrousness and singular
ity of the case eliminated. He COM
mences:
"What is this you accuse me Of,
madame-of being your former hus-
band, of following you with threats to
kill, etc.2 Why, l 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 nameis =, that you
were once my husband, and that we
separated in -, Indiana2 ?"
He, "Yes madame, ] do deny it,
each and all, most emphatically."
BY this time quite crowd had been
attracted as witnesses and auditors.
She evidently was convinced of her
mistake, and, after q slight pause,
says
"Well, there is one way to decide
this question of yeracity between you
and myself If you are Mr., and
my former husband, you have a deep
scar in the edge of your ear, hidden
by your hair, and at the top of yogr
forehead"
Imagine the scene here. All are
eager too see the result of the test, as
he pulls off his hat, and stopping, pre-
septs his head for close inspection. She
nsrveouSly raises his hair, and locks,
there was 10 scar to be seen. He feels