Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-08-07
The Original of east Lynne"

Inc Urlglnhl Ol EaSl bynnes|
1t may not be generally known, yet it
is probably true, asserts writer in
Cincinnati journal, that thefamous novel
of :" East Lynne" although written in
England, had the groundwork of its
story in a singular marriage which took
place in this city, the notice and attend
ing circumstances at the time being
copied by almost every paper in the
country. The matter was about as fol-
lows A Mr.. J. NJ, clerk in a down.
town house, fell in love with young
lady whose father was well -to-do Second
street merchant, and after proper sea-
son of attention the couple married
Both soon found out that they we're not
happily mated, and after a marriage of
seven years, during which time they had
three children, two boys and a girl, they
mutually agreed to the husband apply
ing for bill of divorce, on the ground
of incompatibility of tempers. The di-
vorce was granted, and the wife went
home to her fathers, who had through
indorsing lost his business and all his
property. The daughters and his own
misfortunes weighed SO heavily upon the
fathers mind that during moment of
mental alienation he took his own life,
leaving his daughter penniless, and to
rough it with the cold charity of the
world as best she could. The woman,
a brave little creature, tried every way
she knew how to gain an honest livel1-
hood, in fact, working so hard giving
music lessons and doing embroidery for
her old schoolmates that her health gave
way, and, having no money to pay her
board, must beg, starve, or go to the
poorhoQse. To turn to the other side
of the picture, the husband, after few
months release from the marital bonds,
again married, and at the time of which
we speak had not only the three chill
dren by the first wife, but also, in addi-
ton thereto, little two-year old girl
by his second wife. The latter lady be-
ing i'll, the husband advertised for a
nurse and housekeeper, which notice
reached the eye of the first wife, and she,
in her trouble, went to the former part
ner of her heart, told him of her sad
condition and applied for the position in
his household. The husband knew not
what to say, but after giving her ample
funds for all immediate wants, asked her
to call again at his office on the following
morning, promising to consult his wife
about the matter in the meantime.
Promptly as per agreement wife No.
l was on time, as was the husband, and
from there they went to the residence
where the two wives had their first con
versation, ending in their agreement fol
the first wife to come and accept the
vacant place, which she did. seemingly
delighted at havinga peaceful home ovel
her head, notwithstanding the very
strange circumstances under which sucl
shelter was given. Necessity demanded
that the entire past should be obliter
ated, and the new housekeeper treated
as any other help that she must care fol
the children-her own offspring-ant
the other child the same as any hiret
nurse would do; that she must eat at the
second table to care for her charges. AL
these things and even more humility die
the poor woman show, never by sign
word, or look, exhibiting the least evi
dence of discomfort. What, however
must have been the true feelings of he
heart, when seeing another filling th'
place that she had once tried, as sh,
thought, so hard to fill | The above i
from the files of an old Cincinnati paper
but the sequel, as told us by one con
versant with the whole facts, is strange
than what we have already narrated
When the cholera was raging in our cit.
in 1866, the second wife was taken yer,
i'll with it, and being Informed by tn
physician that she could not live but
few hours at most, as she was then in
collapsed condition, she asked that all 6
out of the room, excepting her husban
and housekeeper, when she told hoy
much she dreaded leaving her little chill
among strangers, and, as dying wife
entreated them both to marry togethe
again. The proposition was a strang
one, but both promised, and in fey
months afterward, when the second wifi
had been dead a sufficient length c
time not to cause remarks, the two wer
again married, brought together after
, cruel separation of so many years, ant
|, we believe, are now living happily t.
, gether in a cozy West end home.
> Banking in the United States.
= An approximate estimate of the nun