Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-15

would have lost his place at any rate. l
have, also, no doubt that my influence was
decisive and precipitated his final overthrow
When came to think it all over / felt very
unhappy at the contemplation Of Mr. Tilton's
impending disaster. l had loved him much,
and at one time he seemed like a son to me.
My influence had come just at the time of his
first unfolding, and had much to do with his
early development. l had aided him exter-
naly to bring him before the public. We had
been together in the great controversies of
the day until after the war, and our social in
tercourse had been intimate. 1t is true that
his nature always exaggerated his own ex-
cellences. When he was but boy he looked
up to me with affectionate admiration. After
some years he felt himself my equal, was
very companonable, and when he had out
grown me and reached the position of the
first man of the age he still was kind and pat
ronizing. had always smiled at these weak
nesses of vanity, and had believed that larg-
er experience, with some knocks among
strong men, and by sorrows that temper the
soul, he would yet fulfill useful and brill
liant career. But now all looked dark. lie
was to be cast forth from his eminent posi-
ton, and his affairs did not promise that SYM
patty aud strength which makes ones house,
as mine has been in times of adversely, a
refuge from the storm and tower of defence.
Besides a generous suffering, I should have
had selfish reason for such if had dreamt
that I was about to become the instrument by
which Tilton meant to fight his way back to
the prosperity which he had forfeited. 1t
now appears that on the oath of December,
1870, Tilton having learned that had replied
to his threatening by expressing such an opin-
ion of him as to set Bowen finally against
him and bring him face to face with immediate
ruin, extorted from his wife, then suffering
from a severe illness, document eliminating
me- and prepared an elaborate attack upon
me.
On Thursday evening, December 80, 1870,
about seven o'clock, Mr.. Francis ID. Moulton
called at my house with intense earnestness
aud said, IL wish you to go with me and see
Mr.. Tilton." | replied that could not then,
as was just going to my prayer meeting.-
With the most positive manner he said, 'You
must go; somebody else will take care of the
meeting" l went with him, not knowing
what trouble agitated him, but vaguely think
ing that now might learn the solution of the
recent threatening letter. On the way,
asked what was the reason of this VISIT to
which he replied that Mr.. Tilton would in
form me, or words to that effect.
On entering his house Mr.. Moulton locked
the door, saying something abou. not being
interrupted. lie requested me to go into the
front chamber over the parlor. was under
the impression that Tilton was going to
pour out upon me his anger for colleag uing
with Bowen and for the advice of separation
given to his wife. l wished Mr.. Moul:on to
be with me as a witness, but he insisted tina,
me coldly but calmly. After word or two,
Of will nd IN
book in his hand, he began a set Grafton. He
charged me, in substance, with acting for a
long time in an unfriendly spirit that Trad
sought his downfall; had spread injurious
rumors about him; was using my place and
influence to undermine him; had advised Mr..
Bowen to dismiss him, and much more that
cannot remember; that had injured him in
his family relations; had joined with his mo-
ther-in-law in producing discord il his home
had advised a separation; had alienated his
wife's affection from him; had led her to love
me more than any other human being; had
corrupted her moral nature, and had laugh,
her to be insincere, lying and hypocritical /;
and ended by charging that had made wick
ed proposals to her. Until he reached this
had listened with some curiosity, under the
impression that he was attempting to bully
me; but with the last charge he produced a
paper purporting to be certified Statement,
Of a previous confession made to him by his
wife, of her love for me, and that had made
proposals to her Of an impure nature. He
said that this confession had been made to
him in July, six months previous; that his
sense of honor and affection would not per-
NIT any such documents to remain in exist
ence. That he had burned the original and
should now destroy the only copy, and he
then tore the paper into small pieces. If
had been shocked at such a statement, was
absolutely thunderstruck when he closed the
interview by requesting me to repair at once
to his house, where he said Elizabeth was
waiting for me, and learn from her lips the
truth of his stories in so far as they concerned
her. This fell like thunderbolt upon me.
Could it be possible that his wife, whom had
regarded as the type of moral goodness
should have made such false and atrocious
statements2 And yet if she had not, how
would he dare to send me to her for confirm.
alton of his chargesP l went forth like a
street walker, while flying on the sky. There
had been snow. storm, which was breaking
away, the winds were out and whistling thro
the leafiess trees, but all this was peace COM
pared to my mood within. l believe that
Moulton went with me to the door of Tilton's
The housekeeper (the same woman of whom
Mrs. Tilton had ccmplained) seemed to have
been instructed by him, for she evidently ex-
pected me and showed me at once to Mrs. Til
tons room.
Mrs. Tilton lay upon her bed, white as
marble, with eyes closed as in trance, and
with her hands upon her bosom, palm to
palm, like one in prayer. AS look back
upon it, the picture is like some form carved
10 marble that had seen upon monuments
in Europe. She made no motion, and gave
no sign of recognition of my presence. sat
down near her and said: elizabeth, Theo.
dore has been making very serious charges
against me, and sent me to you for confirma-
ton" She made no reply or sign, yet it was
plain that she was conscious and listening
repeated some of his statements-that had
brought dscord to the family, had alienated
her from him, had sought to break up the
family, had usurped his influence; and then
as well as l could added that he said that
had made improper suggestions to her, and
that she had admitted this fact to him last Ju-
ly. l said: elizabeth, have you made
such statements to him?" She made no an
swer. repeated the question. Tears ran
down her cheeks and she very slightly bowed
her head in acquiescence. said, "You can.
not mean that you have stated all that he has
charged?' She opened her eyes and began
in slow and feeble way to explain how sick
she had been, how wearied out with impor.