Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-12
THOMAS FAlrHLEss WIFE
BE Returns From a Long
Journey and Finds Her
Welded to Another.
She Takes Matters Very
~ Coolly.
A Typical Western Story, Not
Unmixed With Romance.


Mrs. ThOmas-FergusOn's Flight.
DENVER, Col, April Sit is not
at al necessary to have a desert island
for reproduction of the story of
Enoch Arden in its most interesting
features. An absent husband and
considerate friend are usually sufi-
cient to bring about the same result.
Such was the case with Mr.. and Mrs.
Thomas, OF Lynn, Iowa, whose little
domestic drama concluded in this city
few days ago. Asyouth and maiden
they had met Acquaintance ripened
into love, and marriage followed as the
elimination of their happiness. A few
years of blissful existence passed away
with no clouds in their little sky. A
child came to gladden. their home and
draw them closer heart to heart. No
one who knew them could have
dreamed of the sorrow and heart-ache
which would come to them in future
days.
Mr.. Thomas was called to Ireland
on business. He left his wife COM
fortably situated, and with ample
means for her support. He was absent
for three years. During the first two
the correspondence between him and
his wife was kept up regularly, and
each misSive bore its precious burden
of tender messages from one to the
other. Hers were full Of love and
hope for his speedy and safe return.
He breathed desire to return and EN-
brace his wife and little one. In the
last year her letters began to grow
shorter and less frequent. Finally
they ceased altogether. He became
alarmed, distressed. He could learn
nothing Of the cause from friends to
whom he wrote. He left the green
shores Of Erin and fastened home.
Then his fears we're realized.
his WIFE AND CHILD HAD GONE,
no one knew where. This was late in
the year 1880.
Weary days passed into weeks, and
these to months, before he got any
clue to her whereabouts. Then in
formation reached him that she was in
Colorado, and he came West to search
for her. He searched long before he
found her, and finally, when he had
almost given up in despair, he met her
accidentally in the street in Denver.
The meeting was peculiar. None Of
the warmth that would characterize
meeting of husband and wife after a
parting of years was manifested there.
No explanations we're offered. Mrs.
Thomas invited her husband to 60 up
to her house. They went together up
Champa street and entered house in
an aristocratic neighborhood. To the
room they entered a gentleman, Fer
guson by name, was sitting. To him
as her husband Mrs. Thomas intro
duced Mr.. Thomas as her uncle. The
latter was dumb with establishment.
For few minutes a little chat was
kept up on idle topics, and then the
woman excused herself and withdrew.
Are you her husband?" inquired
Dir. Thomas.
Certainly / am, sill" was the reply.
Where we're you married to her?p
AT Morrison, in this State. But
why do you ask these questions ?"
said Mr.. Ferguson, in some surprise.
BECAUSE SHE Is MY WIFE,
married to me in 1875, at Lynn,
Iowa."
The situation was curious one, but
both men were cool, and after some
little consultation decided 10 make
the best Of matters. The woman was
called in and the matter was talked
over. 1t appeared that Ferguson had
married her without any knowledge
whatever Of the existence Of her
former husband. They had had one
child. The child of Thomas lived
with them. No definite conclusion
was arrived at as to what should be
done that evening, but the woman re-
NAMED at the house, and Mr.. Thomas
went down town for the night. The
next day a new complication arose.
Mrs. Thomas. Ferguson was in fear, on
account of the situation in which she
found herself. She did not reflect on
the kindness with which she had been
treated after her duplicity had been
exposed, and the apparent fact that
neither Of these whom she had prom
ised to love and cherish looked upon
her with feelings of enmity. In her
CONSERVATION she did what many a
person has been driven to do need
lessly BY the scourging Of guilty
conscience.
SHE SOUGHT SAFETY IN FLIGHT.
Before going she took her older child
to neighbours and left it there. She
went to the depot. purchased ticket
to point on the Kansas Pacific, and
btarlng her last born pressed close to
her bosom she entered the train and
was whirled away.
Mr.. Thomas learned Of the fact OF
her departure and her leaving his
child behind, in the hope, no doubt
that he would be satisfied with The
{ possession Of it. She was mistaken
ip that, however, for he still desires (
lind her, but not to bring her to pun
5 lshment for her wrong, but to give he,
home where she may live in peac,
with her children. He does not offe
l. her again the rights Of wife, bu
says he will provide for her.
D 1t you wish peaceful slumber a
i night, in spite of cough or sore throat
i take dose Of Browns Iron Bitter
b before going to bed. 1t is very sooth
ing and % refreshing. TEyit;;