Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-15

LAWRENCE, Kan, Oct. ia startling
sequel to matrimonial advertisement has
just been made public in this city. 1t APP
pears that well-known judge, residing
at Ottawa, Kan, some time since, adver-
tised in an Eastern paper for wife. The
advertisement was answered by girl by
the name of Mary Walker. residing some
where in Maine. The Judge is an old man
and when photographs were exchanged
he sent the girl the shadow of a younger
and better looking man than himself.
Correspondence was kept up until finally
the Judge wrote to the girl that he was
sick, and requested her to come on and
attend him till health was restored, and
he would marry her. The too-confding
girl consented. and, after long journey,
found herself at the depot at Ottawa, a
weak, helpless girl, far from home and
friends and among strangers. She was
met by her aflianced, the judge, but inn
agine her surprise, when instead of
handsome young man, she beheld an ugly
shufflng old person. The girls young
dream, the al,uring pictures OF young
manhood and a bright home in the far
West. were dissipated at once. A horrid
nightmare seemed to rest upon her. The
wealth the Judge pretended TO bave was
nowhere to be seen, and. instead of going
to mansion of ease and comfort. she
was introduced to the apartments of
poor and unpretentious dwelling. A
marriage was soon consummated, but the
poor girls nature revOlted at the nuptial
bed and she would not become wife to
the winter-wed old man. The day follow
ing, the girl not knowing what to do, APP
piled for divorce. This was granted,
and having spent all her money, she asked
for needle work among the good ladies OF
Ottawa. In this way she supported her.
self for several weeks. The daughters
and relatives of the judge looked kindly
upon her and advised her to wed the
Judge and live with him. But the girls
bright dreams and her love for the shad-
ow the Judge had sent her came up be-
fore her to constantly say "Nom to
their repeated solicitations. She brood
ed over her disappointments and sor-
rows until her mind undoubtedly wan
dered, and in her loneliness and sadness
she hastily packed travelling satchel and
slipped away from Ottawa. Having no
money she started to walk to Lawrence.
Poor girl, how different her entrance and
her exit, the former full of hope. the lat
ter full of dread disappointment; the for
mer full of enticing visions, the latter full
of iuries, driving her on and on until rest
would be found in the silence of death.
The distance fl ON Ottawa to Lawrence is
about 20 miles, and Mary Walker could
not walk it in one day. Night coming on,
she rested at a deserted cabin on the road,
seeking shelter in lonely spot on the
prairies, far from the habitations of men
and away from the stupid sympathy OF
strangers.
If the girls reason had not entirely left
her; if she was capable of reasoning and
feeling those alarms which conscious and
tmid women always feel, even in their
own quiet and secure homes at night,
what must have been her feelings as she
crouched from view in that lonely cabin
on the black and desolate prairie Think
of it. ye daughters of happy households;
think of il ye mothers and wives who
cherish your loved ones around the hearth
stone of your dear, delightful homes!
Mary Walker entered Lawrence, uncon-
scious. probably, of what she was doing,
she had walked all the way from Ottawa;
she had rested over night In o DESC
late place; she must have been tired, foot
sore, and hungry. 1t appears that she
wandered about the streets all day, or un-
til the middle of the afternoon, when she
rung the bell at the residence Of one Of
our christian families. When the door
was opened. sk
please. do you want any sewing done
CONCLUDED ON FOURTH PAGE.