Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-24
The committee. I an.ner that thi. IL ae.in


Judge Morse. And furthermore in reply,
submit the action before the committee and
the separation from my husband.
The publication of Mr. Tiltons letter in
answer to Mr.. Bacon, had not known or
suspected, when on Wednesday evening he
brought home the Golden Age and handed it
to me to read. Looking down it's columns, l
saw right we'll, with binding eyes, that he
had put into execution the almost daily threat
of his life, that he lived to crush out Mr..
Beecher, that the God of Battles was in him,
he had always been Mr.. Beechers superior,
and all that lay in his path, wife, children,
or reputation if need be, must fall before this
purpose. l did not read, saw enough with
out reading; my spirit rose within me as
never before.
Theodore" said, "tell me what means
this quotation from Mr.. Beecher? Two years
ago you came to me at midnight, saying,
Elizabeth, all the letters and papers con-
corning my difficulties with Mr.. Beecher and
MIR. Bowen are burned and destroyed, don't
you betray me for l have nothing to defend
myself with. -
ibid you believe that?" said hc
Il certainly did" implicitly said.
"Well, let me tell you they all live, not
one is destroyed"
If this was said to intimidate, it had quite
the contrary effect. l had never been SO
fearless nor seen so clearly before with whom
was dealing.
Coming to me little later he said, 81 want
you to read it, you will find it vindication of
yourself, you have not stood before the COM
munty for five years as you now do
Raised still further by the wickedness hid
behind such mask.
"Theodore, understand me, this is the last
time you will call me publicly to walk through
this filth My character needs no vindication
at this late hour, from you. There was u
time when, had you spoken out clearly and
manfully for me, would have been grateful:
but now shall speak and act for myself.
Know also, in the future, if l see scrap of
paper referring to any human being, however
remote, if it seems to me you might use or
pervert for your ends. will destroy it,"
'This means battle on your part, them"
said he.
"Just so far replied.
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 l had decided to act in this matter;
that had been treated by my husband as a
nonenity from the beginnings play thing to
be used or let alone at will; that it had al
ways seemed to me that was party not
little concerned. then showed him card
had prepared for publication. He respected
the motive, but still advised silence on my
part. yielded to him thus far as to appear
ing in the public print; but counselling 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, l asked the privilege of such an
interview in the parlors of those who had al
ways been our mutual friends. Mr., and Mrs.
Ovington then learned for the first time tina.
the committee would meet that night, and ad-
advised me to see these gentlemen, as perhaps
the COOLEST persons could consult This l
accordingly did. There alone pleaded the
cause of my husband and my children, the
result being that their hearts were moved in
sympathy for my famly-a feeling their pas.
tor had shared for years, and for which he
was now suffering. On going home, found
my husband reading in bed. told him where
l had been and that did not conceal anv.
thing from him as his habit was from me-
He asked re who the gentlemen were; said
no more, rose, dressed himself and babe me
good bye forever.
The midnight following was awakened by
my husband standing by my bed. In verv
tender kind Of voice, he wished to see me. I
rose instantly, followed him into his room
and sitting on the bedside, he drew me into
his lap and said she was proud of me-loyed
me; that nothing ever gave him such real
peace and satisfaction as to hear me well
spoken OF; that meeting a member of the
committee he had learned that he had been
mistaken as to my motive in seeing the COM
mittee 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-I most utterly renewing nv
trust in the one human heart loved.
The next day how happy We were. Theo.
dore wrote statement to present to the COM
mittee when they should call upon him, to all
of which heartily acceded. This document,
God knows, was true history of this affair,
completely indicating my honor and the hon.
or of my pastor. In the afternoon he left me
to show it to his friend. He returned home
early in the evening, passing the happiest
hours had known for years, renewedly as
suring me that there was no rest for him away
from me. Sc in grateful love to the dear
father, slept. o, 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 our
friends, Mr.. and Mrs. Ovington, and there
with shocking bravado, began a wicked
TRADE, adding with an oath and violence the
shameless ISLANDERS against Mr.. Beecher, of
which l now believe him to be the author.
This fearful scene | learned of next day in
the afternoon. He showed me his invitation
from the committee to meet them that even
ing. l did not then show my hurt but carried
it within till early morning. Reflection upon
this scence at MIR. Ovington's, convinced me
Notwithstanding my husbands recent profess
sions to me, his former spirit was unchanged,
that his declarations Of repentance and affec.
ton were only for the purpose of examining
nv assistance to ACCOMPLISH his ends in his
warfare upon Mr.. Beecher. In the sight of
these conclusions my duty appeared plain
rose quickly, and having dressed, reused
him only to say, Theodore, will never take
another step by your side. The end is indeed
come" He followed me to Mrs. Ovington's
to breakfast, saying was unduly excited and
that he had been misrepresented, perhaps,
but leaving me determined as before.
How to account for the change which TWEEN
ty-fous hours have been capable of working
in his mind, than MANY years past leave
for the eternities with their mysteries to re-
veal. That he is an unreliable and unsafe
guide, whose idea of truth loving il self low