Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-07-17
A CRUSADE ROMANCE
A VIRGINIA HUSBAND AND WIFE
MARRIED AFTER EIGHT YEARS SEPA-
MISUNDERSTANDING HISTORY.


MARRIED AFTER EIGHT YEARS SEPA-
MISUNDERSTANDING HISTORY.
&c, &C., &c.
Cleveland (Ohio) papers relate an inter
esting incident growing out of the wo-
mems temperance crusade in that city.
They say that one day, about three months
ago, Mr.. John Coon's band was accosted
by prematurely old man, who gave his
name as Westbrooke, and whose appear
ance showed that lie had long been Il vic
tim OF intemperance. The prayers and
persuasions of the praying women touched
III his heart the memory of that old. time,
and at last he placed his name upon the
pledge-book, and gave his word of honor
to henceforth remain a temperate man.
There was something about the man that
Impressed the temperance workers with an
idea that he was of better stuff than most
OF his associates, and friends wereefilisted
III his behalf, ready to do /A11ything for
him. He was taken. tn-t5hrre house of MI.
~ T.. Preston, in East Cleveland, and
kept there about three weeks, until he was
strong enough to face temptation without
failing. The history of the man then
came out He proved to be Colonel Will
liam Il. Westbrooke, who at one time du-
ring the rebellion served under Gen. Beau
regard. After the war he was united to a
young lady, the daughter of an extensive
TOBACCO MANUFAcrURER
of Richmond, Va, and allied to some of
the best families in that State. They set
tied and lived happily together IN Phila-
delphia. Eight years ago, when hepowel
of drink had got possession completely of
all his faculties, he deserted his family, and
from that day up to the time on which he
told the story he had never heard from
them. For years he had drifted from place
to place, at one time working at the case
in a printing office, at others doing odd
ends of local OF editorial work, and at 9TH
er times living in that makeshift manner
in which so many homeless Wretches go
through the world, earning a little and
begging little here and there. After he
was kept at Mr. Prestons for a week, he
turned his feet toward the home of his
father, at Newark. His father with years
among the llineties, welcomed him as one
brought back from the dead. But all this
time no trace was heard of his wife or
daughter. At last it was discovered that
his daughter was at Dispatch Station New
Kent county, Va. A letter was directed
to her telling her of her fathers discove-
ry. AS the daughter was away from home
when the letter arrived it was forwarded
to the mother in Washington, who then.
for the first time in eight long years, found
clue TO the whereabouts of her husband
Those eight years had been years of search
with her. High and low had she sought
him, for she knew that if the demon OF
drink would but once let go it's hold tC
Al Il Il
assert itself. But the long quest was vain
and
AT LAST SHE GAVE HIM UP
as one dead, and she was henceforth wild
ow in heart, hoping that repentance had
reached him ahead of DEATH But here at
last was the clue she had sought in vain-
A letter was written by her in exchange
and after d short correspondence between
the friends of the reformed man and his
wife, it was arranged that they should
meet here and the reconciliation should be
complete. The noble friends of the strug-
Cling man still planned for his happiness
and at last the day of meeting came. Ovel
such meeting the golden seal of silence
must be placed, for all the sins and neg
lects of eight years were buried in one mo-
ment by the love and forgiveness of the
wronged but noble woman. 1t was the
thought of the friends that no better way
could be made Of celebrating the reunion
of the two than by repetition of the wed.
ding ceremony, and accordingly it was
| performed at the residence Of Mr.. Preston
at No. ST. Fairmont street. The ceremo
ny was not strictly in accordance with any
marriage ritual, but was heightened some
what by prayers and songs by members O.
the praying band. Mrs. John Coon opened
the services by reading a Scriptural lesson
after which hymns were sung and prayers
offered by Mrs. Hannah, Mrs. Saunders
Mrs. Seaman, and Miss Edwards. Rev. ]
f. Twitchell, of the Euclid Avenue Con
gregational church, then came forward
and made a few remarks relating how Mr.
and Mrs. Westbrooke had been separated
| for eight long years; that a most pleasing
| as well as
SATISFACTORY RECONCILIATION
| had been effected, and that it had beer
deemed fit that the occasion of their com
| ing together again be celebrated in pub
account of the peculiar circumstances at
| tending the reunion. At the close of his
remarks Rev. Mr.. Twitchell performed the
marriage ceremony, the ring used beins
the same one used in 1865, when the frs
service was solemnized at Springfield
Ohio. At the conclusion of this W. E
Preston read letter written by Col sWest
brooke to Mrs Westbrooke, asking her tx
bury the past and reunite her fortunes
with his. 1t speaks in most feeling terms
of their child, a daughter, seventeen years
old, and living in Richmond, Va. Con
gratulations being finished, prayers were
made by several ladies, and short speeches
delivered by H. G. Ford, R. F. Smith, G.
E. Bolton. Rev. Nh. Simpson and A. Nc
Reynolds. Rev. Peter Kitwood, of Chica-
go, and Others, each spoke of the novelty
of the occasion, and the great importance
OF steering clear of strong drink in the
voyage of life. The occasion was ont
which will long be remembered by those
present, if for no other reason than its con-
nection with the temperance movement
Mr.. and Mrs. Westhrooke .leave Monday
morning for Richmond, Va, to visit Their
daughter and friends there.
DELINQUENT BANKRUPT OFFICIALS
IN VIRGINIA. The Richmond correspon-
dent of the Petersburg News" says:
PV tho 00tb of Tnlv tho oas;rpaas ",