Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-11-27
A Love Dilemma of the Olden Time.

Among the early settlers of Hopkinson,
r. l., were the Wells families; many of
them lived in the south part of the town
near Ashaway, and the immediate neigh
borhOod was known nearly a century ago
as Wellstown. About the year 1900,
Thompson Wells lived there; he was a
farmer, a prudent, saving man, strictly
honest, and was blessed with two pretty
daughters, Sally and Lois. These girls
made Wellstown an attractive place; they
had admirers many, and one day a stranger
came to town, a young man Of splendid
address,, Mr.. Beriah Wells, of Lenox,
Mass. He was Invited to WellstOwn, and
among the first things which he did was
to fall greatly in love with Sally Wells,
and she fully reciprOcated his affection.
When he left for his home, it was Wells
town talk that Sally was engaged, and, in
fact, the dear girl encouraged the belief.
Wells, however, acted strangely. He did
not communicate with her or see her dur
ing the whole year, so in about a twelve
month Sally was receiving visits from a
young man from Woodstock, Conn, who
had just opened a school styled the Paw
catuck Academy, at Westerly, Mr.. Linden
Fuller, a gentleman of fine scholarship,
and he found himself every Saturday at
W ~, Sp1LlA4il- t"o tdS > SdSI HSSh
with Miss Sally, and greatly in love with
her; the result of a short courtship was
an engagement of marriage, and the time
announced for the wedding and necessary
preparations made. Right at this juno
ture, Mr.. Beriah Wells, the first lover,
made his appearance at Wellstown. He
knew nothing of the contemplated
marriage, and at once made known
to Miss Wells that he had not for
gotten her, and had come express
ly to renew the engagement, and
take her back to Massachusetts as his
wife. Here was a dilemma. The truth
was, she loved him best, and she told her
father SO at once, al J sought counsel and
advice from him. lie talked with his
friends and ~neighbors, and it was finally
agreed, without her knowing their con
clusions, that the two lovers should be in
formed how matters stood, and in their
presence and other witnesses, Sally Wells
should say which one she loved best. Mr..
Fuller was sent for. 1t was arranged
thst Mr.. Sheffield Wells, a friend and rel
alive of the family, should ask the ques-
ton. SO in the big front room they all
met, and Sally was asked her choice Of
the two men for her husband, and she
promptly replied that Beriah Wells was
her choice. Mr.. Sheffield Wells slowly
repeated the question three times, size
each time giving the same answer. Mr..
Fuller's appearance betrayed the deep
agitation under which he was labOring in
hearing her decision, but his bearing to-
ward her and all present told well that
Linden Fuller was a true gentleman.
After a short interval, Beriah Wells
stepped forward and asked the attention
Of the company. He stated that under
all the circumstances he could no marry
Miss Wells. He admitted it to be his
fault in not visiting her, or communicate
he loved her and had come to seek her
marriage with Mr.. Fuller having
been announced, and preparations all
made, he feared that the marriage
Of himself and Miss Wells
would render their life unhappy
and he could not enter into such a cove
nant. Here was dilemma No.2 Sally's
feelings may be better imagined than de
scribed. Mr.. Fuller could not marry her
now, for she had publicly chosen another.
So they all parted. Fuller at once dis
missed his school and went home to
Woodstock. Attsr a %fortnight's time,
Miss Wells father, without advising her,
sent one of his neighoors to Connecticut,
with instructions to find Fuller, and have
him come at once to Wellstown. In two
days the messenger returned, accompa-
MED by him. Mr.. Wells spent the after
noon with him, advised him to renew the
engagement with his daughter, full
ly believing it would be for their
mutual happiness to be married,
and speaking for himself and fam
lily, he would rejoice to see them so.
That evening Lindon and Sally were
pledged in marriage again. The next day
Ber.ah Wells was sentfor, and he and Lois
stood up with them at the wedding; it
! passed off Finely, Fuller and Wells treat.