Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1876-01-27
A FEMAI Z lGNOCH ARDEN.
She Retur ns to claim Her
Husband After an abs ence
of Forty Years.

A case has recently transpired 10 New.
port which has given rise to 10 little gos-
zip in circles where it has become known
being the return of the lawfully welded
wife of man, after an abseuce Of forty
years, to ascert her marital rights. The
story as related is in substance as follows ::
Some forty years ago (repclt says forty,
two) young man and maiden in this
city were united tn each other in the
bonds of xedlock. However smsothly
the course Of true love may have been
before the oct matrimonial, it appears t.
have become strangely ruffled quite soon
after brief period, report says two or
three days, the blooming bride, the echo
Of her marriage COWS having scarce died
away, in clandestine manner and for no
known cause left him whom she had vow.
ed to love aud cherish, and ded to parts
unknowD. For two years nothing was
heard from orof her when oil at once she
presented herself to the astonished gaze
Of her deserted husband. The later, it
may readily be supposed, was not over
loved to see her after such unaccountable
behavior on her part. He gave her
to understand that he was not in readiness
to resume marital relations with her,
when she retorted that he need give him.
self no uneasiness on that score, as she
had obtained a divorce. The husband
replied that hs was rejoced to learn that,
as it had save him the troube>and expense
Of taking measures to procure a di =.
yorce on his own account, as he bad IN
tended doing. The pair then driited
apart, she disappearing again from this
region. while he resumed the even tenor
of his way. Feeling that he was freed
from the bonds Of matrmony and Bot fa-
voring life Of single blesscduess," he
sought out fair toUnswoman of his,woed
and won her. and for the second time be-
came a married man. The second mat
rimonial alliance was attended with better
results th.n the first. Children we're born
to them as the years rolled on, and being
industrious aud frugal, the pair accumu>
lated snug little property. and o few
years ago, being in in6rm health, the
husband gave up active employment, and
has siuce been deriving as much comfort
as usually falls to the lot of a man under
such circumstance. He had never heard
from this woman be had formerly called
his wife since their last interview, and
believing himself entirely free from her,
gave himself no further uneasiness con-
cerning her. Forty years had elapsed
siLce that time. What was his astonish
ment when one day short time since q
woman rang at his door'bell, and on being
admitted, introduced herself to the bouse-
hold as the wife Of its head. Here was a
.epce. Wife No. 2 was aware Of bis pres
vious marriage, but belivipg it to have
been abr,gated by decree Of divorce.
The husband, too, witbstood her claim,
adducing in support her own story Of a
divorce related forty years ago. She ad-
mitted having thus informed him, but
claimed that 1t was all sham, that she
was still his lawful wife. and was here
to claim her rights and privileges under
that head. This is the status Of matters
in this particular household at the present
writing. Where she has kept herself all
these years does not readily appear, but
it is quite too apparent to the parties con-
cerned that she is here now, and with =
eurpose.-r Providence Prs,s,