Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-07-04
A QUEER LOVE STORY.
What Happened to n Port Jeryis Couple,
Port Jeryis Union.


A little more than four years ago n
gentleman Of this village, then about %
years of age, fell in love with young
lady, aged about 10, also of Port Jervis.
She returned his affection, and for n
time all went along smoothly. The
lady was daughter Of pious parents,
and although she was not connected
with tho chnrth, was firm believer in
their tenets, and looked with feeling
akin to horror on anything approaching
to skepticism or doubt. But the time
came when she learned that her lover
was mn atheist; that he dsbelieved III u
revealed religion, had no veneration for
the Bibley and took no interest in
churches, seldom or never attempting
them save NJ her escort She was
deeply panied by this revelation. She
sent for her lover and endeavored to
convince him of his error, but he was
not satisfied with her arguments, and
refused to acccde 10 u surrender of his
principles. The more the lady ponder
ed the more her duty seemed clear to
her, md she finally decided to renounce
her love. She accordingly wrote to him
u long and tear-stnined letter bidding
him good bye forever. The gentleman
again and again urged her to recon-
slider her determination, butshe was oh
durate, and ~ separation took place. He
was deeply grieved, but although he was,
as he thought, badly used he felt that
she had acted up to what her convic-
tions Of right demanded. He could not
M easils divcst himself of his love, and
after few months lie left this village
and engaged i'll business elsewhere.
The young lady mourned, but tried to sat
isfy herself that she had acted correctly.
Two years made her more liberal than
she had been, and she began to study
on the subject. The more she read the
more she distrusLcd her former decis-
ion, and she finally became quite as lib
era ns the lover she had discarded.
Whether the logic Of thobooks she read,
or the prompting of the old love had
most to do with the change, it would be
hard TO tell. The lover, too, had under
gone change. The fact that his creed
had cost him bis sweetheart annoyed
him, and, struggle as he would he could
not Danish her from his memory. Last
winter revival of religion took place
in the city in which he was engaged III
business. AT the solicitations of IL friend
he was induced to attend. As in the
other case, il would be hard to tell
whether the change was brought about
by the arguments Of the preacher, by
the excitement which prevailed, or 10y
tho memory of his old love. Suffice il
to say that he united with the church,
and IN short time became " Jealous
member. lie thought over the action
OF his former sweetheart IN discardlnp
him for his iniideity, and wrote her Il
brief note asking the privilege of once
more calling on her. She responded il
the affirmative. The gentleman came
and when she timidy apologized for hei
previous dismissal Of him. he, to hel
surprise, defended her conduct, sale
she had been III the right, and III hel
place he would to-day do the same
Her heart sank ut these words. Sh,
confessed the great change i'll her senti
nents, from being firm believer ii
the Bible, sho had discarded il, an,
with it her belief in any revealed relg
ion. 1t was now the gentleman turn
to he Mortified. He pleaded with her
urged everything he could think of I,
! induce her to change her mind. Sh,
could not and told him SC. He felt thu
ho must not be "unequally yoked will
an unbelievcr," and, taking counsel u
his religion, gave her NJ.