The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-07-29
MARRIAGE OF BROTHER AND SISTER IN

| BROOKLYN - THE AWFUL DIscoV ERY.-
Many years ago an Irish girl named Connor,
came to this country. BY her industry. nc
doubt, have done well in her sphere Of life
She formed the acquaintance of Swede
named Henri Petersen and was persuaded
to live with him as his wife without the
sanction of the church. About the same
time Petersen's brother married a sister of
the girl Conner, who was likely to become
mother. In due time the boy was born,
and to hide the disgrace the child was ham
ded over to Mrs Petersen the mothers sis
ter. Hencef1rth he was cared for and
treated as child Of the woman who had
adopted MIN, and took her husband S name
Two years later the girl Connor gave birth
to a girl Soon atterward the father of
these two children disappeared and was not
heard Of Subsequently the girl took the
name of her mother aud was called Annie
b. Common. Her brother took the name of
his foster parents and was called Petersen.
The mother of the girl and adopted mother
OF the boy being sisters, the children grew
up as cousins, and such they always sup
posed themselves to be. The boy was
strong. manly and we'll behaved. He atten-
ded the schools in New Y ork and made sat
factory progress. In due time he went to
work, and soon atterward becoming of age,
his aunt, as he supposed her to be, furnish
ed money and put him into business on his
own account The girl also throve and re-
ceived good education She grew exceed
ingly attractive and had many admirers, and
was always attractive to Peter. No one
over suspected, however, that there was
more than cousinly affection between them,
and SO as matter Of course they were al
lowed to associate without restraint. Peter,
as already said was in business for himself
ard doing thriving trade. He was old
enough and sufficiently we'll fixed to think
of marrying. Annie, his cousin, was about
twenty years OF age and very pretty. Annie's
mother last summer resolved to visit her
friends IN the old country and started
across the Atlantic. She was away about
three or four months. On her return she
went straight to the house where her
son-and what was supposed to be
her daughter Annie installed as mis-
tress and wife of her own brother.
The horror striken woman immediately dis
tells this story She had not been in house
two minutes before the dreadful secret was
out, and misery and shame appeared where
all had been happiness and pride moment
before The young couple, believing them
seves to he cousins, and having great affec-
ton for each other. based on life long ac-
qualntance, agreed to get married without
saying a word to soul. Preparations were
made during the absence Of Annies mother.
and as soon as all was ready the knot was
tied The announcement made by the
mother fell like thunderbolt upon the
young couple. Their love now was sudden
ly transferred into crime, and the bonds
that had made them one grew into dread
full barriers that arose between them ever
more. There wa, only one thing to be done
to part This was done at once, and il is
doubtful whether the brother and sister will
ever meet again The young woman ap-
piled to Chit } ustice Nelson for advice, and
the result was the commencement of suit
TO declare the marriage between her and
her husband void