, 1880-04-29
Sad Sequel of a Joke.

Who would think of unearthing a
thread Of romance in q scrap-bags And
yet a few days ago busy housewife,
putting together one of those treasured
mosaics yclept a "quilt," overturned
shred of silk whereby hung tale of no
ordinary interest. 1t was scrap OF
satin, of the finest quality, once white,
but now yellow and time-stained. Here
is its history:
About twenty years ago st. PauPs
Church in Louisville rejoiced in the
possession of pastor who was the idol
of his congregation. During his minis
trations he lost his wife, and conse-
quently became an interesting widower.
Among his most devoted admirers,
though personally unknown to him, was
maiden lady of uncertain age, many
peculiarities and independent circum-
stances The fact Of her intense ad-
miration for man to whom she had
never spoken became known to many,
and party of young people laid plans
for what proved to be heartless hoax.
A letter was addressed to the lady pur-
porting to come from the reverend gen.
tleman, containing professions of ad-
miration and esteem, asking for cor
respondence, and requesting profound
secrecy. The victim fell into the trap
at once, and the correspondence thus be-
gun, continued until the pastor accepted
a call to church in Savannah, when it
eliminated in proposal of marriage.
This, of course, was readily accepted,
and the final letter, announcing his ap-
preaching departure and still enjoining
secrecy, from unavoidable circumstances,
also declared bis probable return at any
moment to claim his bride. ,r,
Never did happy hearted girl set
about the task of preparation with more
delight than this trusting deceived
woman. The greater part of her com
potency was expended in the purchase
of bridal luxuries, complete and elabo-
rate outfit, from the heavy satin and
costly lace of the wedding garment
down through every item Of elegant and
dainty apparel. In the meantime, the
minister soon after entering upon his
charge in Savannah, died in that city Of
yellow fever, and the authors of the
cruel Jest, satisfied with it's success,
dropped the matter. But nothing
could shake the confidence of the expec-
tant bride; her friends tried to reason
her out of her infatuation members Of
the church visited her and endeavorad
to prove how impossible it was her
hopes could be fulfilled She triumph
antly showed her letters, and refused to
credit her lovers death or anything
other than the helief that he might ar
rive at any moment to claim her. AS
time passed she lost her friends, and
her property dwindled to mere pit
tance She was thrown among strang-
ers, but wherever she went she carried
her trosseau, taking it occasionally from
the trunks to air it, and packing it mp
again with jealous care.
At last her mental and physical in
frmities became more pronounced. She
kept her room and admitted no one but
her landlady. On her death bed she re-
qnested this attendant to inform her
lover of her death, and to robe her for
burial in the bridal death. When it
was taken from the trunks it was found
that these trappings were too ghastly
for the corpse of a white haired woman,
and they gradually found their way,
piece by piece, into other hands. Let
ter to Savannah News.