Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-02-05

Having tudue up IIclr minds to set
tie down they took "a notion to get
married. There was no romance in
their love-making. On the contrary,
1t was one of the most prosaic of
match.makings. They wanted wives,
and were not very particular as to
who they were, SO long as they would
marry them. After lon. search, two
Lancashire lasses, who had seen the
twins in London at show, but who
had never been seen by the brothers,
were found willing to enter into the
married state with them. Correspon-
dence brought the match about, and
the two English girls were prevailed
upon to come to America. The mar
rlage was solemnized very quietly
at Salisbury, N. c. Their domestic ar
rangements were peculiar to them
selves. They lived upon different
plantations. One week Chang lived
with Eng at his plantation, and the
next, Eng with Chang. Each brother,
during the weeks residence at his own
home, transacted the business of the
farm, without the interference of,
though often with the advice of the
other. The wives lived entirely at
their respective homes. The sisters
did not always agree, aud in time
their quarrels became so frequent that
the life Of the twins was anything but
happy. To the family of Chang was
born the first child, but it was deaf
mute. The families increased rapidly,
until Chang had six children and Eng
five. OF these, four were like Chang 5
first child, deaf and dumb, but in
every other respect, strong, healthy,
perfect children. Eight of the eleven
are still living, and but short time
ago, the oldest living, daughter of
Chang, seventeen years of age, was
married to neighboring planter. The
course OF life of these strange beings
was such as TO secure the respect, at
least, OF their neighbors. Their deal
lngs with their fellow-men were Just
and honorable. About eight years
ago, both Chang and Eng became con.
verts to the Baptist faith and were re-
celved into that church through the
ceremony of submersion, and until the
day OF their death they remained in
good standing. However, it IS said
that even with this change they were
not oi the best temper, and it Is re-
ported that in anti-war times the
slaves of no plantation, for miles
around, were whipped so often and 50
severely Us those of Chang and Eng.
A considerable portion of their wealth
was Invested in negro slaves, and, of
course, with tue emancipation procla-
nation their slaves were freed; SO
they o"H'"ai q i@.e-,- Thaugn not TAX
Ing an active part III tne reDeiiou,
they were fierce seces5ionisLs. Inc
rebellion over, TO repair the losses
they had incurred, tNe twins went
again before the public, and appeared
at Woods Museum. But they were
not as successful as they had hoped 10
be. Their rapacity made 1t difficult
for managers to deal with them, aud
they had become old and wrinkled and
thin. Their misfortunes had soured
them with the world, and they con-
stantly quarrellcd with each other.
The burden of their conversation was
\ lament over the necessity which had
driven them back again to show life
and the injustice the North had heap
ed upon the South.
During their absence the wives
managed the affairs of their planta-
tions. They travelled through this
country and finally went Europe, from
whence they returned about a year
ago, and again with fortunes some
what improved, settled in North Caro-
lima. Their lives thereafter We're not
happy. They grew morose, conversed
but little with each other, and were
full of gloomy forebodlngs. This Is
attributed to the fact that while in Eu
rope a serious attempt was made to
separate them. AS q preliminary eX-
pertinent, the ligature which bound
them was compressed until all circula.
tion Of the blood between them ras
stopped. Eng tainted aud Cha j,
manifested the greatest sutfering. 10
the surgeons this proved that neither
could sustain a separate circulation oi
the blood, and that to cut the ligature
would produce death.