Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-11-04
Another EnOca Arden Case.

4 NOTABLE Enoch Arden case has Just
come to light in New York, the hero in
the case being Mr.. Albert Hail. who, thir-
ty-one years ago, was a travelling salesman
Tor dry goods firm doing business in
Pearl street. Though he was a young
man OF but twenty-five years of age, he
was married and had two infant BOYS, the
younger of whom was but few weeks
old. Suddenly the sunshine was blotte6
out of the happy home. Young Hall
went upon business trip for the firm and
failed to return at the appointed time.
Days passed without tidings, and the
anxiety of his wife and friends were
changed to desperation. His accounts
We're correct and his remittances had been
sent IN promptly, but the man himself
could not be found Advertisements were
put in the newspapers; rewards were of
fered for his discovery, dead or alive; let
tiers were written to every place where he
had been in the habit Of stopping; de-
tectives were employed, and no means of
ascertaining his Whereabouts was neglect
ed. 1t was all in vain. The firm and the
friends made up their minds that he had
been murdered, or had died, suddenly and
unrecognized, in some strange locality.
The wife's grief in the meanwhile was
heartrending, but, like true mother, she
went to work for her babes and reared
them carefully and we'll The younger,
Henry, died in childhood, but the other,
who was named after his father, grew up
strong and hearty. Years passed and still
the faithful wife watched and waited. Her
friends demonstrated with her and assured
Ter that the man who had left her SO sud
denly was certainly dead. At last even
her courage gave out and, when ten years
had passed without giving any signs of
her missing iege, she married again.
With this husband she has lived quietly
and happily ever since. Her son Albert
was also married some time ago, and the
other day, thirty-one years after the mys-
terious disappearance of the elder Albert
Hall, a Incorporating and well-dressed
gentleman rang the door bell of Albert
Hall, Jr.'s house, and asked to see the gen
tleman who resided there. Finding him
absent, he inquired for the gentleman's
wife and was admitted. A brief CONVEX
sation disclosed the fact that the stranger
was Albert Hall. Madam, don't you
know me?" he asked. Z" l cannot say that
do" was the reply. Odd you never
hear of Albert HallY % "You mean old
Albert Hall? - "Thc very same" Yes,
knew him; he died long ago" 81 am
Albert Hail." was the quiet reply. The
lady stared with amazement at the strang-
er. A few questions and answers about
the people and events of thirty-one years
before made conviction a certainty
The returning husband had called
upon her husband to ascertain the
whereabouts of his family. He had
heard that his wife was married, and
was frank enough to express his belief
that she had found, in her second venture,
a better husband than he had ever been.
His son he was anxious to meet. For the
rest he cared but little. His lot, apparent
ly, had become that of an Ishmaelite in
broadcloth. When questioned about his
wanderings Mr.. Hall failed to give salts
factory replies. He had grown weary of
the hum-drum life of home, he said, and
thought that his wife would be better off
without him. He had been in business
of one kind and another, travelling over
every portion of the United States, but
never touching New York. The husband
and wife met, but there was nc. outward
sign Of any nearer recognition than that
Of old acquaintance who had so long been
strangers that former familiarity had
lapsed out of memory. If any of the old
love survived it gave no outward sign of
its existence. The twain, who had been
one generation before, met and parted
with only the ordinary salutations Of the
day.