The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-10-13
Enoch Arden Outdone.
AN ALMOST INCREDIBLE ROMANCE IN real


AN ALMOST INCREDIBLE ROMANCE IN REAL
LIFE.
Fifteen years ago, Thomas Patterson, then
. young man, descended from one OF the old.
est and most respected Delaware families, was
Joined In matrimony with one of Wiimington's
loveiest daughters, an estimable lady OF
wealth, culture and high social standing.
Their union was the result of an espousal
formed during their early school days, subse-
quently broken for some trivial reason, and
soon after cemented. Never did young cou-
pie start IN life with brighter prospects Soon
after their marriage Mr.. and Mrs. Patterson
removed to Baltimore, where they lived hap
PLY for year or two when he fell into habits
OF dissipation and was accused of dishonest
dealings with the firm by which he was en-
ployed. Thomas yainly protested his limo
cence OF the latter charge, and to avoid the
disgrace which publicity would give the grave
accusation fled for a time, leaving his grief
stricken wife and sucking babe behind. Soon
after he disappeared it became known that
Mr.. Patterson dealings with the firm were
perfectly straight, and that he had been made
to suffer by the actions of a crooked fellow en-
ploye, who had laid the blame to Toms door.
The unhappy wife of few short years re-
turned to the home of her parents, in this city.
Years rolled on, and the prolonged absence OF
Thomas Patterson was unexplained, till one
day Pattersons relatives read in the newspa-
pers description of an unknown man found
dead in hotel in an interior Pennsylvania
town, which tailed exactly with that of the
missing man. The corpse was that of dis
sipated person, who was believed to have tax.
en- his own life with dose of strychnine
The remains which had been buried about q
week, were exhumed and brought to this city
The clothing worn by the deceased at the
time of his death was marked 1T. p" A
brother of Mr.. Patterson identified the corpse
as that of his brother, and Mrs Patterson, by
means of q large mole on his arm, and othel
distinguishing marks, recognized the body az
that Of her long lost husband, and donned s
garb of deep mourning. The identification
having been completed, as everybody at tina
time supposed, the remains were given a re
spectacle burial in the family lot in one of thu
cemeteries of this city.
For years Mrs. Patterson mourned the los
of her unfortunate husband, and frequently
visited the mound where she thought his re
mains reposed and strewed it with flowers
and the grave was marked with a tombstone
appropriately inscribed. On two occasions
since the melancholy event has the beautiful
widow rejected the proffered hand of aspiring
and worthy lovers.
A short time since Mrs. Patterson who still
resides with her esteemed parents in this city
was surprised beyond measure to receive al
envelope bearing the postmark of a city Oh
the far-off shores of Lake Superior, and a
once recognized in the directions the hand
writing OF her husband. who she had lonl
mourned for as one who had departed to an
other world. The discovery at first seemed
like dream, but when the seal was broker
and the woman hurriedly glanced at the sig
nature at the bottom of the letter. her font
hopes were fully realized. The missiye wa
like message from the spirit land. 1t con
veyed the joyful intelligence that Thoma
Patterson is prosperous merchant of larg
city in Michigan, the owner of large AM
elegant mansion, waiting to receive the wit
from whom Mr.. p has been separated TIL
communication further stated that the write
had years ago discarded all his bad habits wa
leading the exemplary life of an honest TEN
perance man, and that by strict attention b
business he had accumulated a snug little fol-
tune. Mrs. Patterson is now engaged in pack
ing her trunks and making all arrangement
to join her husband and permanently resid
with him in Grand Rapids, Michigan.-W
mssngton tDel) Meas.