The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-08-31

A Delaware Romance.
! A Georgetown Del.) letter to the
Philadelphia Times says: The recollec.
ton OF an interesting episode in the life
of Sussex County family has Just been
revived here by the appearance of the
hero, after an absence of twenty-sis
years. Early in the spring of 1915. be.
fore the days of railroads in this section,
there drove up to the door of farm
house near Georgetown one of the mos,
welcome visitors to womankind at that
period-a peddler. He was fine rep
resentative of his class, about thirty-two
years old and good looking. Upon en-
tering the farmhouse with his wares he
was Immediately struck by the beauty
and womanly grace of the only child OF
the old farmer, girl of twenty sum-
mers. He was bold in his admiration,
and the young woman, little used to at
tention, blushed like rose under his
| glaaces and smiled her encouragement.
1t was case of love at first sight, and
before the peddler left the house he
managed to have a private chat with
the girl, and told her that his name was
William Spaulds and that he was cap
tive to her charms.
She heard him willingly and when
the knight of the pack proceeded on his
journey Kitty johnson was betrothed to
William Spaulds. Six months later the
peddler came to claim his affianced.
The girl was the only child and the
aged farmer and his wife were loath to
have their daughter make an unequal
match. They demonstrated, but in
vain. The young lovers were married.
| The old folks could not become recon-
ciled to the manner of the cOurtship
and marriage. In less than a year both
father and mother died. Spaulds gave
up peddling and undertook the man.
agement OF the farm. but in four years.
time the sheriff had visited them, and
The farm passed into the hands OF
creditors. Spaulds was peculiar fell
low and seemed ever in bad luck. He
was addicted to no bad habits, was
sober, honest, industrious, and many
thought Kitty johnson drew a prize
when she captured the peddler. But
he never prospered, and there was ever
something between him and success.
After failure as farmer he opened q
little tin-shop in town and barely man
| aged to make n living at that business.
Twice year he visited Philadelphia to
purchase a stock of tin-plate and other
material.
In the spring of 1857 he left on his
semi-annual visit by vessel from Milton.
After the lapse of couple of weeks
the vessel reached Milton on the return
trip, but Spaulds was not on board.
The Captain came to Georgetown, and
told the anxious wife that he had
landed her husband safe in Philadel-
phia. and that he spent two nights on
shipbOard, but nothing had been seen
or heard of him since. Through dreary
days the patient woman watched, and
through long nights laid awake listen.
ing for the footsteps of her missing
spouse. Weeks heightened into months
and months into years, and still no
tidings came to the lonely and deserted
wife. Ten years rolled by. and Kitty
Spaulds grew weary of waiting and
watching. She believed that her hus.
band was dead, and the scenes of her
early life became distasteful to her. In
1867, in the spring, the same season OF
the year that her husband disappeared,
Kitty started West, with her two young
children. They settled in Illinois, and
lived comfortably and happily until
three years ago, when her heartache
ended, and she was laid to rest, faithful
to him who had won her early love.
Toward evening of one Of the hot
days of last week there paused at the
gate of houe on the outskirts of
town an old, weather-beaten, broken
hulk of man, who said that this was
his former home. and that he had come
for assistance. He told how reverSes
Of fortune had overtaken him, how he
had walked many . mile footsore and
in hunger, and that few had compass
sion on him. In this case his age ex-
cited sympathy and he was kindly
cared for. The kindness touched the
old mans heart, and with tears in his
eyes he told the farm folks that his
name was William Spaulds. and that
he had wandered back here to take one
last look at his wife. The simple
country folk cut short his story by tel
ling him of the removal and death of
Kitty Spaulds, and that his two chill
den were supposed to be still living
out West. The old man did not seem
surprised, but wept bitterly, and silently
gathering his little bundle passed out
the gate without word. The sands OF
the old mans life are well-nigh run,
and he can wander but little longer.
What became of Spaulds?" a fire.
quent topic among the old residents,
has at last been partislly answered.
How or why he disappeared and what
will become of him still remains