Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-08-06

Theodore. understand me- This is the
last time you call me publicly to walk
through this filth. My character needs
no vindication, at this late hour, from
YOU. There was time, had you spoken
out clearly, tfuthfully and manfully for
me, | had been grateful; but now shall
speak and act for myself. Know, also,
that if in the future ] see a scrap OF
paper referring to any human being, how
ever remote, which it seems to me you
might use or pervert for your own ends,
/ will destroy it." This means battle
on your part, then" he said. Just SO
far" replied.
Z. write this because these words of
mine he has since used to my harm. The
next morning went to my brother and
told him that now / had decided to act
in this matter; that had been treated by
my husband as nonentity from the be-
ginning; plaything to be used or let
alone at will; that it had always seemed
to me / was party not little con-
cerned. / then showed him card | had
made for publication. He respected the
motive, but still advised silence on my
part. yielded thus far as to not appear
in the public prints, but, counseling with
myself and no other, it occurred to me
that among the brethren of my own
communion / might be heard Not
knowing of any church committee, i
asked the privilege of such an interview
in the parlors of those who had always
been our mutual friends. Mr.. and Mrs.
Ovington then learned for the first time
that the committee would meet that
night, and advised nae to see these gen.
tlemen as perhaps the coolest persons
could select. This | accordingly did
There alone pleaded the cause of my
husband and my children, the result be-
ing that their hearts were moved in sym
pathy for my family, feeling their pas
tor had shared for years and for which
he W as now suffering. On going home
found my husband reading in bed.
told him where had been and that l did
not conceal anything from MIN, as his
habit was from me. He asked who the
gentlemen were He said no more, rose,
dressed himself, and babe me good-by
forever.
s. The midnight following was awak-
ened by my husband standing by my bed
side In very tender, kind voice he
said he wished to see me.
/ rose instantly, followed him to his
room and, sitting on the bedside, he
drew me into his lap. He was proud
of me, loved me so that nothing ever
gave him such real peace and satisfac-
ton as to hear me well spoken OF. "
AT that meeting, from a member OF
the committee, he had learned that he
had been mistaken as to my motive in
seeing the committee, and had FASTENED
to assure me that he had been thoroughly
wretched since his rash treatment of me
the night before, etc. Then and there we
covenanted sacredly our hearts and lives,
most utterly renewing the trust in the
one human heart / loved. The next day
how happy we were. Theodore wrote a
statement to present to the committee
when they should call upon him, to all
of which heartily acceded. This docu-
ment, God knows, was true history OF
this affair, completely indicating my
honor and the honor of my pastor. In
the afternoon he left me to show it to his
friends. He returned home early in the
evening, passing the happiest hours
had known for years, assuring me that
there was no rest for him away from me.
So in grateful love to the dear Father i
slept OH that the end had then come;
/ would not then have received the cruel
blow (which made woman mad out
right
The next morning he called upon Mr..
and Mrs. Ovington, and there, with a
shocking bravado, began wicked TRADE,
adding, with oaths and violence, the
shameful SANDERS against Mr.. Beecher
of which | now believe him to be the
author. This fearful scene l learned
next day. In the afternoon he showed
me his invitation from the committee to
meet them that evening; did not show
my hurt but carried it heavily within,
but calmly without, all night till early
morning. Reflection upon this scene at
Mr.. Ovington's convinced me that, not
withstanding my husbands recent pro-
fession to me, his former spirit was UNI
changed, that his declarations of repent
ance and affection were only for the
purpose of gaining my assistance to ac-
complish his ends in his warfare upon
Beecher.
In the light of these conclusions my
duty appeared plain. Irose quietly, and,
having dressed, reused him only to say:
"Theodore, / will never take another
step by your side. The end has indeed
come"
He followed me to Mrs Ovington's to
breakfast saying that / was unduly ex-
cited, and that he had been misrepre-
sented, perhaps, but leaving me as de
termined as before. How to account for
the change which twenty-four hours have
been capable of working in his mind
then fixed for many years past, l leave
for the eternities, with their mysteries,
to reveal. That he is an unreliable and
unsafe guide, whose idea of ruth-loving
is self-loving, it is my misfortune, in this
late, sad hour, to discover
ELIZABETH II. Triton.
Brooklyn, July %, 1874.