Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-04-08
Sad Sequels of a Joke.

Letter to the Savannah Ga. News
Who would think of unearthing 8
thread of romance in a scrap bagi
And yet a few days ago a busy
house wife, putting together one Of
those treasured mosaics yclept a
quilt" overturned a thread OF silk
whereby hung tale of no ordinary
interest 1t was scrap of satin, oil
the finest quality, once white, but
now yellow and time stained. Here
is its history:
About twenty years ago st. Paul's
Church in Louisville rejoiced 10 the
possession of pastor who was the
idol of his congregation. During his
ministrations he lost bis wife, and
consequently became an interesting
widower. Among his most devoted
amherst hough personally unknown
to him, was maiden lady of uncer
tain age, many peculiarities and in
dependent circumstances. The fact
of her intense admiration OF a 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 purporting to
come from the reverend gentleman,
containing professions of admiration
aud esteem, asking for correspon.
dence, and requesting profound Sc
crecy. The victim fell into the trap
at once, and the correspondence thus
begun continued until the pastor ac-
eepted a call in Savannah, when il
CUR mated in proposal OF marriage
This, of course, was readily accepted,
and the final letter, announcing his
approaching departure and still en-.
joining secrecy, from unavoidable
circumstances, ALSO declared his prob.
able return at any moment to claim
his bride.
Never did happy hearted girl set
about the task of preparation with
more delight than this trusting, de.
ceived woman. The greater part of
her competency was expended in tbs
purchase of bridal luxnriAs, a com
plete and elaborate outfit, from the
heavy satin and costly lace of the
wedding garment down through ev.
cry item of elegant and DAINTY apnar.
ell. In the minister. soon after en-.
tering upon his charge in Savannah,
died in that city of yellow fever, and
the authors of the cruel jest, satisfied
with its success, dropped the matter
But nothing could shake the conf
dence of the expectant bride; her
friends tried to reason her ont of her
infatuation members Of the church
visited her and endeavored to prove
how impossible it was her hopes
could be fulfilled. She triumphantIy
showed her letters and refused to
credit her lovers death or anything
other than the belief that he might
arrive at any moment to claim her.
As time passed she lost her friends,
and her property dwindled to a mere
pittance. She was thrown among
strangers, but wherever she went she
carried her trousseau, taking it oc
casionally from her trunks to air it,
and packing it up again with Jealous
care.
AT last Der mental and physical
infirmitics became more pronounced.
She kept her room and admitted no
one but der landlady. On her death
bed she requested this attendant TO
inform her lover OF her death, and to
robe her for burial in her bridal
dress. When il was taken from her
trunks it was found that these trap.
pings were too CHASTITY for the corpse
Of white haired woman, and they
gradually found their way, piece by
piece, into other hands.