The Osceola times., 1882-06-03
THE MINISTER'S w0OIN6.
A Lively sensation In q Dull New Jersey
Town,
Philadelphia Times.

A pretty widow, a clergyman anu mus
cular Young Christian who turned mp,
dams in Barnum's circus and was billed
as "the champion Indian club swinger
of America" have Just created the most
raralyzing sensation OF the year In the
social circles of the sleepy little town oil
W;Ilville. New Jersey. The minister
bas given up his church and become
nedagogue in Newark, Barnum's club
swinger lauguishes in Bridgeton Jail and
tho fascinating young widow who caused
all the trouble is in the state OF lachry-
nose misery in Millville.
Three wears ago the Rev. j., NJ. Braden,
the son Of well known Eplscopallah
divine of Salem county, became rect
of Christ Protestant Episcopal church,
of Millyille. He was at that time about
26 years of age and the Millville church
was his first charge. He IS said 10 be
tall. dark. handsome, intelligent, studl-
ous and verv bashful. When Mr.: Bra
den came to Millville Mrs. Nate Wells,
a beautiful brunette, was the organist.
The ia the sister of George Payne, late
member of the New Jersey legislature,
and the widow of Robert Wells, son OF
ex Mayor Wells of Millville.
When Robert Wells died in a lunatic
asylum. in 1877, he left behind him a
widow and three children, all OF whom
are alive. In the following spring, be
fore the yiolets bloomed on Roberts
crave his widow became quite intimate
/ with, or, as the natives express IL, took
up with" Henry Vcgt, circus acrobat
| known to the public as Harry Nanetta,
who left the sawdust arena and became
A shipping clerk for the glass manuiac,
turing firm Of Whitall x Tatemn, OF
Millvitle. When Mrs. Wells became ac-
ouainted with Vanetta she was teacher
| in one of the public schools and played
the organ in Christ church. Nanettas
marvellous tales OF adventure in all parts
of the world, his seeming knowledge OF
all sporting matters soon made him wen
known in the community. AS ais
habits were regular and his associates
reputable, he was appointed superin-
tendent OF the gymnasium attached to
The Millyille institute. After basking in
the sunlight OF Mrs. Wells fascinating
black ewes a few weeks he joined the
choir of Christ church and sang there
regularly until few days ago. 1t was
soon set down that he and Mrs. Wells
were engaged, and their courtship moved
along delightfully."- until the Rev. Mr..
Braden made his appearance on the
scene.
Then. it is said the widow became in
Lfatuated with him, and the muscular
charms of her acrobatic and club swing
ing admirer were no longer appreciated.
Ex-Mavor Wells, the father OF her dead
husband, declares that as soon as she set
eyes on the new clergyman she in
formed her feminine contdants that she
considered him valuable matrimonial
prize package and intended to win him.
Her acquaintances say that she even
went 30 far as TO map out a line of social
policy that she intended pursuing when
she should change her name from Wells
to Braden. The radical changes she
propose6 making in the social circles of
Millville are said to have terrified the
leaders of the various circles and they
took the first opportunity to warn the
minister Of his danger. His friends as
sert that after being warned he Stunned
the fair widow as he would have
stunned a plague, but, on the other
hand. Mrs. Wells friends as stoutly as
sert that his vanity was tickled by the
impression he had made on the suscep-
tibie relic of Robert Wells and he sought
her society. For months the town was
filed with the most contradictory stor-
les about the behavior of the minister
and Mrs. Wells to each other.
All this time the vitals of the Tilted
club-svinger were being slowly but sure
ly consumed by the fires of jealously
that ragged within him. As. however,
he sang in the choir and was member
of the vestry of Christ church, he was
compelled to assume an air of patient
resignation and grin and bear it. Final
ly il was currently reported that Mrs.
Wells had thrown her arms around the
minister's neck and begged him to marry
her. and that on another occasion she
lured HIM to her home, on Sassafras
street, near the church, under the pre-
tense of asking his advice on an import
ant business matter, but III reality to
make love to him. These stories IN
famed the already disturbed nina OF
the unhappy acrobat, and he publicly
declared war against his ministerial rival.
Vanetta's jealousy the undaunted widows
advances and the scandalous rumors
that were circulated made the clergy
mans life anything but happy. About
this time he delivered a sermon on the
suffering poor and in it spoke vigorously
against the hard. heartedness of wealthy
people. This sermon hurt the sensitive
feelings of several influential members
of the congregation and increased the
minister's troubles. At this point the
club. swinger, unable to longer control
his.volcano of jealousy, began publicly
denouncing the clergyman and adyoca-
ing the cause of Mrs. Wells who took
him back into her heart
A meeting OF the vestry was called a
couple OF weeks ago to consider the situa-
ton. and Just after the session began the
widow and her acrobatic champion en-
tered the room for the purpose OF rak-
ing the clergyraan over the Goals, and,
as Mr.. Wells puts. it, raising - general
w." The moment Vanetta opened fire
on Mr.. Braden, Nestryman, Ruben Mere
dith. superintendent OF the Millyille
yas works who is over six feet high, in
terfered and quieted the excited visitors,
At the suggestion Of Mr.. Braden the
meeting adjourned at once. Last week
Nsnetta wrote an open letter to the
minister, and before sending it 10 him
read and exhibited it to number OF
citizens. The letter covered four pages
of foolscap, and in it Vanetta charged
that the minister was "a lar," "a per-
iurer,","a robber of iemale virtue" and
so on. Those who have seen the letter
say it is one of the most scatchipg, bitter
and vulger documents they ever saw.
This letter created sensation On Satur-
day last Judge Alfred Reed issued
a bench warrant for the club swing
ers arrest on charge Of SANDER
L.. D.a..la. Gko.iH HnsAa