The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1880-02-03
A CALIFORNIA ROMANCE.
How Man and Wife met After 20
Years Separation, a-
Married in Paris, Ky
Vallejo Chronicle, December 80. ]

I'- Vallejo Chronicle, December 90.
One of those strange episodes in
human life which makes us some
times wonder at "the eternal fitness
Of things" occurred last night at the
Vallejo junction. Tie Tide being low
on the arrival of the Contra Costa
passengers for Vallejo We're compcll-
ed TO make quitea descent from the
wharf to the boat, the ladies required
the assistance ofthe gentlemen pres
eni. A Mr.. G.,- gp.in spcculator.
was doing the agreeable in this re-
spect, and one of the last ladies to
descend was overburtlened with
few bundles, which he took charge
Of, and accompanied the lady to the
cabin, where they sat and engaged in
conversation, The subject finally
touched upon the nativity of each,
when it was found they were both
from tho same town In Kentucky.
The fact made each more cOrunluni-
caiive, when he inquired her name,
which was given as Mrs. q. Imme-
diately the gentleman grew pale and
excited, and asked: .sr ..H .,. y
"You had daughter did you
not"
II did, she replied. "Pray how
did you did you know that2" ,r
AIS that daughter living" s
t"She is, and at present is on visit
to q friend in Vallejo where / am
now going" ~
Aerciful heavens?' he gaspcd.
"My childl" J. il. .a...H Il ?
"Sir," said the lady rising "what
do you mean 2" ........
"Meaii," he crafty replied. "Meanl
Why | mean the daughter is my own
child and you are my wifel"
Almost oyerpowered at this con-
fessiou she piled him with questions,
TO every one Of which he returned a
correct answer, when she was con-
vinccd that the man was really her
husband, from whom she had been
separated twenty years. 1t seems
that the twain were married at Paris,
KY, in 1868, and thirteen months at
terward he, went TO Liverpool on
business. The vessel OH which he
took passage was wrecked and all Oh
board were supposed to have perish
ed. The news coming to the young
wife's ears, she was utterly prostrat-
ed and was ordered to California BY
her physicians. Arriving here she
took up her residence in Los Angeles.
The husband was picked up from the
wreck by q fishing smack and taken
to some remote foreign port, where
he was thrown upon bed of sick
ness, which lasted some fifteen
months. In the mean time he had
written repeatedly to his wife, but
received no answered. In despair he
concluded 10 risk journey across
the Atlantic. Feeble as he was he
was he shipped before the mast on a
sailing vessel, and in due time arrived
in New York. From there lie wrote
three times to bis wife, bnt received
no answer. Almost frenzicd at the
thought that she might be dead, and
being without funds and frieuds he
"faced" his fare clear to Kentucky,
and shortly after arrived at Paris.
Inquiries throughout the town as
sured him that his wife had disap-
peared year or so before, no one
knew whittier. Some said. she had
gone in search of her husband,
others that she might be
dead, and others that she had gone to
California. He sought the old fari-
ly physician, but he had left the town
some time before. Mr.. e then went
to Louisville and made enough to
bring him TO California a year after
his arrival in Kentucky. He search
ed everywhere for his absent wife,
but without success, and finally gave
her up as dead. Neither however,
had married again, and last evening
on board the Contra Costa was the
discrimination either had that the
other was in existence. giau9 iu
The now happy couple arrived
here last night, and to, the surprise Of
the Friends of the lady she introduced
her husband, from whom she had
been separated 20 years. But mag
inc his unutterable surprise aud joy
when the mother led into the parlor
a beautiful young lady, his own
daughter, whom he had not seen
since she was babe. Father, MOTH
er and cliild will leave tomorrow for
San Francisco, where Mr.. e., who is
now a comparativelv wealthy man,
has his business and where they will
l. A. o,lna ftar roeido