Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-09-19
THEY NEVER SPOKE AGAIN.
Romantic Tale of Two Who F0oiisiliy
Tied Up Their Tongues.
st. Louis Tlmis.Journal.

An estimable lady died IN 81. LOUIS
few DAYS ago, who has for about sixteen
wears figured in one Of the most re-
markable cases OF enlargement ON rec
ord. Her death left her parents without
any means OF communication and this
fact being generally known, brought
back to the minds Of st. Louisians
The circumstances which eliminated
in such " strange state Of affairs. The
Iady's father wna once mayor OF St.
Louis, and his administration was in the
highest degree creditabIe to him. He
was prosperous IN business, and accu-
mulated II deal Of wealth. While in
the prime Of life he married widow
"a lady Of refinement and excellent
qualities of heart. Their life was u
very harmonious and happy one till
one sad day about sixteen years ago,
when the husband asked the wife 10 af-
fix her signature ton conveyance Of GER
tain Of his property, Of which he had
made m advantageous sale. She re-
fused 10 sign for some reason which she
fully suited. Just what that reason WAS
is known only TO Themselves; but those
who have been intimate with the family
state thnt she regarded her action M
protecting the interest Of u much.loyed
son. The husband coaxed and impor-
tuned, but all to no purpose. lie was
II man OF stubborn character, and when
persuasive means failed his temper got
the better of his discretion and his love.
He solemnly swore that unless his wife
signed that deed within Il given time he
would never speak to her again on
earth. IL was n terrible oath for II
man who loved II woman M he did her,
but he meant to kept Unfortunately,
the wife was possessed ot will and
determination ns strong AZ his own. nj
though her manner was always sgentle
and adylike M ever graced woman.
She declared that she would not be
forced into doing that which her judg-
mcnt condemned, and if her refusal
was to be punished by such conse
quenccs, 80 be il. She would be M reti-
cent as be. lie waited till the limit he
had set had passed, and then, true TO
his vow, he sealed his lips against his
life companion. They did not separate
---.hoy were too proud, too Just and too
rcgardful Of their children Tor That; but
thoy guarded their tongaes with II vig-
ilanco which mny be guessed by any
one who will for II moment contemplate
tho difficulties involved IN such sit
uation as lhoy had made for them
selves. They roomcd apart, but sat mt
the Same table, and were never guilty
of any disrespoct toward each other,
save that Of silence. When circum.
stances mndo communication between
them absolutely necessary they respcc.
lively addressed their daughter, oven
though ut table, and she spoke for both
Their questions, so put, were always
framed in the third person. and the
situation would frequently bayo been
laughnble were il not for the fact that
two lives were wrecked by the stubborn.
ness OF which II was the onlgrowth. And
80 cloud settled down upon TINT home
rich in everything hat the peace
which pnssoth nil understanding. The
daughter, gill of sweet disposition,
devoted all her powers To effect II recon.
cilinion, bat though tho love of both
centered in her, and grew stronger as
they realized how necessary shn was To
their existence, she could not induce
them to forget tho rash vow by winch
the happiness of their lives ind been
sacrificed for the paltry consideration
of town lot. The boy III whose
behalf the signature had been
refused soon tired of the gloom
which pervaded his home, aud
disappeared. Whittier he went WINS
never known, but IL il not improbable
TINT lie found soldiers grave during
the civil war. While her parents grew
wrinkled and gray, with the mainte-
nance of their stern resolution and the
swift passage Of years, the girl grew up
into noble womanhood, her nminhlo
qualities finding MI the stronger devcl-
upment from the exercise Of them,
which was incident To her manner of
life. She won the love of man who
was worthy Of her-a well-known law
yor--and could hc havo induced her to
iorsakc her homo they would have
been married years ago. lSnt she re-
garded the duty Of standing rs II medi-
ator between her father and mother M
n sacred ore, TO which even her love
must he sacrificed, and she would not
leave homo. Her lover remained faith
ful to his affection, and finally, rather
thnn abandon il, he agreed to live in
the family mansion, aud they were
married. 1t WINS love match Of the
purcst kind. and their happiness was
complete, save 81 much NJ il was inter
fered with Ivy the old folks course.
few days ago the young wife died very
suddenly of congcstvo chill The
history above given explains what
terrible calamity that death was. The
aged father, whose steps are confirming
the proof. which his gray hnlrs and
growing wrinkles give, was IN the east
trying 10 recuperatc. Having lett no
address behind him, kilograms tniled to
find him, and ho was only reached
finally in Massachusetts nook hy the
Associated Press. Tho corpse WAS pre-
served until his retuul--erht days nlter
her death and was followed to tho
cemetery 10y an immenso cortego'
What moro terrible picture OF desola-
ton could ho conceived Of than Is pre-
sentod by that home, with its lonely,
aged, couple, whose obduaacy sixteen