Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-08
Tales aud Sketehes.
THE DESERTED WIVES.

their wiyes--John Ford and Newell Fos-
ter. And yet the Weekly Enlightener,
which paused in its glorious career OF en-
tightening the darkness of the world to
condemn as a righteous paper should, the
crime of John Ford--in fact, devoted a
column and a half to a very large.worded
editorial of him-said not word about
Foster.
Sympathy without stint or measure, and
a few dollars in money were given to Mrs.
Ford. but not plying glance was cast on
Mrs. Foster. And yet think her condi-
ton incomparably the worse of the two !:
for when John Ford deserted his wife he
took his body along, while Foster left his
at home tor his wife to care for. to supply
its needs, to be constant anguish to her,
reminding her every moment Of the
bright days before he had deserted her.
Some people have wrong impression,
think in regard to these things. They
think it necessary for a man to run away
in order to desert his wife. l do not.
Newell Foster had left his wife Just as
truly as if he had betaken himself to Aus
tralia, or where not; and she was just as
truly forlorn, desolate, broken-hearted
woman as if she were outwardly, as she
was in the sight of God, alone.
Mrs. Foster knew this. Ab, yes! Let
her midnight tears bear witness to the
truth.
John Ford and his wife had terrible
quarrel before he ran away, lawyers and
a few meddlesome neighbors helping the
matter along Mr.. Foster and his wife
had no quarrel. No officious friend had
told Mrs. Foster that they wouldn't stand
it so." and to "stand up for her rights" for
Mrs. Foster never complained; and as for
rights, don't think Mrs. Foster thought
she had any, at least she did not after She
had been married few years. In the
case of Ford, q woman was connected: a
woman whose mission in the world seemed
to prove how low soul may plunge into
the depths of degradation, and how many
weak souls she can carry downward with
her Newell Foster had been true to his
marriage VOWS Since he had stood at
the altar, ten years before, with the one
woman he had chosen out of the world,
he had "forsaken all Others" as he had
promised to do.
What, then, had brought this state of
things to pass with Mr.. and Mrs. Foster !?
Well, think Foster was disappointed in
his wife. He thought he was marrying an
heiress; not that he married her entirely
for her wealth; she had plenty Of other
attractions for him in those far-off days of
their courtshp. But Mr.. Foster was q
Shrewd, keen business man. who looked
out for the main chance; and it was un-
pleasant to him, to say the least that his
respected father-in law failed during the
first year of their marriage; failed, and
hid himself from his hungry creditors in
the grave, leaving his only child no heri-
tage but dishonored name. This was
one thing. And. for another she had
borne him no children. Her health was
not good. She had been very bright and
blooming girl when he married her. ten
years of married life. with Newell Foster
for husband, had thoroughly weeded the
roses ont of her cheeks aud the brightness
and elasticity out of her spirits. She was
now pale spiritess, household drudge,
still worshipping, unhappily. the man who
had taken her from her happy girlhood
home, and then deserted her. 1t was this
love, that still remained so warm and true
in her heart, that made the very sting OF
her grief. If she could have been so in-
dignant with him that she could have re-
sented in spirit the constant sights he put
upon her, the daily humiliation of his in
difference, the harsh words and looks, the
hardships of labor and endurance. she
could have borne it better. But she loved
him, and love always makes Il woman a
slave \ slavery sweeter than freedom.
as many happy heart will testify, when
the love is mutual, and tender and gener-
Gus. But in the case Of Mrs. Foster it
was a failure, SO far rs happiness was con.
cerned.
Mrs Fold's husband had left her with
six little children, needy and destitute.
There were plenty among those who had
known her in more prosperous days TO rec
ommend the Orphan Asylum, or the Poor
House. But there was one pale woman
who opened her arms, longing to clasp
the weakest and youngest and most help
less in them. Foster did not object when
his wife proposed to adopt little Winnie
Fond for their own child. or course his
wife would have to take care of it. He
would have separate room during its
babyhood; he couldn't be disturbed. But
the baby was sweet and wonderfully
right-looking. She might grow up to be
an honor to him, and he would never have
any child of his own.
So little Winnie Ford Foster came to
live with them, and the mother love, that
had never been satisfied, found express
sion. No mother could be tenderer in
care and watching to her own child than
was Mrs Foster to the little one Provi-
dence had thus given TO her arms. TWAS.
perhaps, two years after this, for Winnie
was most beautiful and engaging child.
Just running around and beginning to say
few words, when Mr.. Foster resolved
to emigrate to California. He thought he
could do better there OF course his wife
made no objections to anything he pro-
posed; if she had, it would not have
changed matters at all. So, one Septem-
ber day, they set out, poor Mrs. Ford, who
was having hard time to keep her chill
dren's bodies and souls together, dropping
many tears on Winnie's little fair face.
Arrived at their destination, Mr.. Foster
did do well; he made more money in a
year and half than he had ever made in
| his life before. And, of course, he was
not satisfied, and wanted to make more,
so he bought claim, hired gang OF
miners, and proceeded to the distant canon
where his claim was situated.
Mrs. Foster was beginning to like San
l 4 "A .t.x.