The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-05-20
Mistaken Identity.

Il LOUISVILLE 10 Downing 0reen was quite
large party Of passengers. We had got
ten some distance up Green River, when,
at some landing, gentleman and lady
came aboard registered as man and wife,
and were duly assigned stateroom in the
ladies' cabin. The boats cabin presented
the usual varied scene, some reading, sew
eral groups at the card tables, 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 and wondering,
went Immediately back and knocked at
the door, which was hesitatingly cautious
ly, with evident signs of trepidation, open
ed They were both Enthusiastically much
alarmed, and the lady appealed to the
Captain piteously for protection To his
astonished inquiries about the cause of all
this, she explained that in passing down
the hall she recognized man who had
been her husband, but from whom she had
been 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 place in Indiana, as
they thought secretly, when 10 and be-
hold, there he was after them in Kentuc-
ky. She was in despair and implored the
! Captain to protect them. He assured her
that he would, but begged her to point
| ont tba bax ,r,iEI
nearly all, and could not imagine which
one it could be. After much importantly,
the curtain being partially drawn so as to
secure her from view, she was at last pre-
vailed upon to pass cautiously out, her
husband standing behind her and evident
ly equally frightened. The Righteousness
of the scene presented here may be imag-
ined Her eye, with terrible fascination,
at lasts rests upon him, and she points out
Nil, well known to the Captain
a gentleman whom he had known for years
well knew he was not married and had
every reason to believe never had been.
The Captain assured her that she was
mistaken that 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 pos
sible that l could live with man three
years in the relation of wife, and that only
few weeks should intervene since saw
him, and then be unable to recognize him,
or mistake another for him?"
This was poser sure enough, and to a
stranger to all the parties, convincing and
unanswerable. But, then, there stood the
living, ineradicable, insurmountable fact
that this was John --- and not Mr.. 49,.
had known for five or six years that he
was not married, and had not been within
able to convince the other, proposed to
bring him up for closer inspection, but she
was too much afraid of him to consent
but repeated assurances of protection 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 frighten-
ed culprit. Brought face to face, the lu-
dicrousness and singularity of the case cul.
minated He commences:
"What is this you accuse me of, mad
am? of being you former husband? Of fol
lowing you with threats to kill etc. Why,
do not know you--never saw you before
on earth, to my knowledge, and never
had wife," i sr1 .dg
She answering" What, sir? You de
ny that your name is not ----, that yor
were once my husband, and thatwe wer'
separated in -, Indiana?"
He" Yes, madam, do deny it, eacl
and all, most emphatically m
BY this time quite crowd had been at
{ tracted as witnesses and auditors. Sh,
evidently was not convinced of her mistake
} and after slight pause says
I swell, there is one way to decide thi
1 question of veracity between you and my
' self. If you are Mr., and my forme
Q husband, you have deep scar in the edg
of and hidden in your hair and at the to-
: of your forehead
Imagine the scene here. All are cage
to see the result'of this test, as he pull
off his hat, and STOPPING, presents his hea'
I" for close inspection. She looks again
. there was no scar to be seen. He feels tina
he has triumphed, and the company presen
acquit him but she amused and confused
y seems but half convinced. Here the cas-
: rests. have never since seen or heard 9
= the strangely deluded lady but the ger