The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-05-07

etiquette, united in hnrtv laugh. 1t
was plainly unnecessary to pursue the
examination of this witness further,
and he was permitted to stand aside.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY--A CURIOUS CASE.
In 1877, on the steamer-,
from Louisville to Bowling Green,
was large party Of passengers. We
had gottsn some distance up Green
River, when, at some landing, a gen.
tleman aud lady came abroad, regis
tered as man and wife, and were duly
assigned 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 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
Enthusiastically, 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 man who had
been her husband, hpt 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
lo 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 importantly, 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 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; thap 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 | 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 OIL
mistake another for him?"
This was poser sure enough, and
to o stranger to all the parties, cou
vincing and unansyerable. But then
there stood the living, incredible
insurmountable fact that this wa,
John --, and not Mr.. --.
had known for five or six years thai
he was not married, and had not beer
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 mucl
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,
briefly told him what had occurred
and in his wondering amazement h,
assumed something Of the appearance
Of frightened culprit. Brought fac,
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 tt
kill, etc.2 Why, do not know you
never saw you before on earth, to my
knowledge, and l never had a wife,"
She, answering, What, sir! Yol
deny that your nameis -, that yol
were once my husband, and that w
separated in -, IndianaP"
He, eyes madame, I do deny it
each and all, most emphatically."
BY this time quite crowd had beer
attracted as witnesses and auditors
She evidently was convinced Of he
mistake, and, after q slight pause
says:
"Well, there is one way to decid'
this question of yeracity Between yol
aud myself If you are Mr., =nf
my former husband, you have deeI
scar in the edge of your ear, hiddeI
by your hair, and at the top of yOg
forehead"