West-Jersey pioneer., 1879-06-26
A ROMANTIC STORY.

OswEGO, June 13.-One of those strange
romances of real life that inspires doubts,
as to whether truth or fiction is the stranger
has come to light here. Thirteen years ago
F. w. Richards courted, won, and married
young woman of Canton, ST. Lawrence
county, New York, much against the con-
sent of parents, mainly on account of relig-
ious differences they being Catholics and
he Protestant. After three years of hap
py married life, notwithstanding the old
folks refused to be conciliated, Mr.. Rich
ards secured place on Western railroad
and they removed from Canton. About a
year later it was agreed that Mrs. Richards
should visit her old home, hoping that time
and separation might have dulled the ami
mostly of her parents. She made the jour
ney safely and was received with SO much
tenderness as to inspire the hope that all
had been forgiven. A few days later Mr..
Richards was dreadfully, and it was feared,
fatally hurt in an accident on the railway,
and despatch was sent to his wife to that
effect The message fell into the hands of
her father, who, believing that he had an
opportunity to break up the union, told her
that her husband was killed outright and
buried.
The young wife was crushed by this news,
hut her family devoted themselves to allay-
ing her grief, hoping in due time to induce
her to marry prosperous young neighbor.
Meanwhile Mr.. Richards nearly recovered
from his wounds, and sent many letters and
kilograms to his wife, all of which were in
tercepted. Getting no answers he concluded
that her friends had succeeded in alternating
her affections, and that she was to him as
one dead. ss
Soon Mrs. Richards was approached by
her family on the subject of another mar
riage, but she refused to listen to their so
licitations, particularly as their choice was
specially uncongenial to her. They contin-
ued to weave the plot about her until, in
sheer desperation she determined to escape
from their prosecutions. She engaged her.
self to another young acquaintance in Can.
ton, and they were married, after which
they removed to farm near Oswego, and
lived happily until few days ago.
Mr.. Richards, who had gone to San An
tonic, Texas, and had heard nothing from
his friends in New York State, took it into
his head to visit Canton, and came on East
about week ago. Canton folks were
startled to see him, and none more so than
those who had wrought the separation be-
tween him and his wife. The old folks i'm
mediately decided that they must not meet,
and caused letter to be written to their
daughter saying that her sister, living in an
Eastern State, was dangerously i'll and
wanted her Immediately. The letter di-
rected her to go by certain route which
avoided Canton. She started at once, COM
ing to Oswego to take the cars; but on in
quiry found that the route dictated was
longer and more expensive than that of the
Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad
via. Canton, and therefore she decided to
take the latter. Arriving at Canton, she
concluded to stop over one train, and she
entered carriage at the depot.
The driver, recognizing her, asked wheth-
'er she would be driven home or to her hus-
band. Thunderstruck by the question, she
asked what he meant, and was told that Mr..
Richards was at the Canton Hotel alive and
we'll. Almost doubling her senses, she di-
rected the driver to take her to the hotel
with all speed. Calling for a room and
sending for the landlord she learned that
the coachman's story was true. Mr.. Rich
ards was sent for and the joy and bewilder
ment of that meeting cannot be painted.
But what was she to do? Here were two
living husbands, the second a kind and faith
full man. Affection and duty decided the
problem and she announced that she should
60 with Mr.. Richards. The second husband
was summoned and after painful inter
view he consented to the separation, and
like big hearted fellow, after fearful
separation, returned to his home. Mr. aud
Mrs. Richards are on their journey to their
home in San Antonio.