The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-03-24
. hTkANGE AND True.

In lS7-, on the steamer--, from
Louisville to Bowling Green was quite
a large party of passengers. We had
gotten some distance up Green river,
when, at some landing a gentleman
and lady came aboard, registered man
and wife, and were duty assigned state
room 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 conversation, In a few
minutes waiter came forward and
told The captain that the lady just come
aboard wished to See him in her room,
who, little surprised aud wondering
went immedia civ back and knocked at
the door, which was hesiatIngly,
cautiously, with evident signs of trepi-
dation, opened. They both were un-
mistaksbly much alarmed, and the
lady appealed to the captain piteously
Tor protection To his astonished in
auries about the cause OF all this, she
explained that in passing down the hall
she recognized man who had been
her husband, hut from whom she had
separated and married again, and VINO
had driven them from their homes with
threats OF violence and followed them
with every possible annoyance; that
thew had but just lett a place in lndi-
ana, as they thong ut secretly, when 10
| and behold, here he was after them 10
Kentucky. She was in despair and
implored the captain to protect them.
He assured her that 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. Auer much importantly, the cur
tain being partially drawn so as 10 Sc
cure her from view, she was at Last
prevailed upon TO pass cautiously out,
her husband slandisg behind her and
evidently cquallv frightened. The re-
dcuIousness OF the scene presented here
may be immagined. Her eye, with terri.
lied fascination, at last rests upon him,
and she points out a Mr.. -, well
| known to the 'captain---a gentleman
whom he had known or vears-well
knew ne was not married aud had
every reason to believe never mad been
Tie captain assured her she was mis-
taken; that he knew the fact above re-
lated in regard to the man, that 1t could
not be true. She, vehemently: Il know
it is him Do you think it possible
that | could live with man three
wears 10 the relation OF wife, that on
ly few weeks should intervene since |
SAW him, and then be unable to recog-
NJ. him or mistake another for him Z
This Was poser sure enough, and to
a stranger to al the parties, convincing
and unanswerable But, then, there
stool the living, ineradicable, unsur-
nountsble tact that this was John -
aud not Mr.. | had known for
five or six wears that he WAS not mar
ried and had not been within that time
So we had it, neither being able to con.
vince the other. | proposed to bring
him up tor closer inspection, but she
was too much afraid OF him 10 consent;
but repeated assurances of protection at
AL prevailed, and | went out for him.
Calling him out from his card party, |
briefly ,old him what had occurred and
IN mis- wondering amazement he assum-
ed something OF the appearance OF
frightened culprit Brought face to
face, the ludicrousa ess and singularl'y
of the case eliminated. He COM
mcnces:
"What is this YOU accuse me OF. ma
dam, OF bein your former husband. OF
following you with threats to kill, DC ?
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
Sc separated in -, Indiana.
He-.Yes, madam, do deny it, each
and all, and most emphatically'
By this time quite a crowd bad been
attracted a. witnesses and auditors. She
evidently was not convinced OF her mis-
,ake, AID after slight pause says a.
well, there is one way TO decide this
question o. yeracity between you and
myself. II you are Mr. -, and my
tormer husband, you have deep scar
| in the edge OF and hidden by your hair
and at the top Of your forehead "
Imagine the scene here. All are
eager 10 see the result of this test, as he
pu led off his hat, and stopping, pre-
sents his head for close Inspection. she
nervously raises his HAIR, looks, and
looks again; there was no scar to De
seen. he feels that he has tr umphed,
| and the company present acqult MIN ;
hut she, amazed and confused, seems
hut halt convinced. Here the case rests.
have never since seen or heard OF the
STRANGELY deluded lady, but the gentle.
man, the subject of this delusIon, Is still
living on Green river, respected, GOOD
citizen, and the hundreds who know
him know this was a mistake, out q
mistake utterly incredible-not commit
ted by an acquaintance, nor even 40
intimate friend, but by vile VINO naa
lived with man in the marital relation
Tor three or tour years, and only sep,sr-
ted from him then tor few months
Az a case OF mistaken identity, 1t GER
tsinly is without a parallel.
TIE PRESIDENT AND THE WoMEN-A
wosb;ng,on correspondent OF the New