The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-10-31
A FLORIDA ROMANCE.
Grim UouseboId Skeleton which Love and
forgiveness Buried.


One day during the progress OF the
Phil Thompson trial one of the Florida
Senators, who had remained in Wash
ington greater part of the time since
Congress adjourned, told a group OF
gentlemen the story Of an incident that
came under his observation, which, In
all probability, has not its parallel IN
history or fiction.
"Wheu n candidate for the United
States Senate" lie said, Gin company
with ten or u dozen other gentlemen,
canvassed the State Of Florida from one
end to the other. just at dusk one evening
we arrived at II farmhouse OF rather pre-
tentious appearance. We were warmly
welcomed 10y the owner, who was known
at least to one Of the party. We were
served with Il splendid supper, at which
we were waited upon by the farmers
dauphters-tlree bright, beautiful girls.
The farmer occupied one end OF the
table and his wife, an elderly lady, with
snow white hair and benevolent lace,
the other. / was ut once attracted by
tho aninbility Of the family They were
very cheerful and apparently very
anxious to make each other very happy
The greatest regard was paid to the
mother, and no opportunity vas lost to
show respect and devotion to her.
"Whcn the time came for retiring the
farmer took from II shelf an old, we'll
thumbcd Bible and said
4 It.,.lI.,,.,. g. MARTY M
years it has been my habit to have family
worship before retiring. Hope you will
Join ~ tonight
ole read chapter from the Bible,
and we al! knclt while he made n short
eloquent prayer The next morning the
same order, chccrfuncss and kindness
were noticeable. When we rode away
from the house | said to gentleman
who was next to me that ! had never
witnessed more peaceful, prosperous
home, and one where there seemed TO be
50 much genuine happiness,
"My friend said IL 1t possible that
You do not know this mans story? He
pissed through such trial as drives
many men crazy. His life is n moral
lesson. He las shown the moral conr.
age that not one III II million shows. lie
il hero, dwelling here among the pence
fn pines Of Florida He was Con-
fedcrate soldier, and q brave one. He
has many scars upon his person, made
by the bullets Of the enemy. When he
was away TO the war he left behind him
young wife and three little girls-mcre
babies they were. He was absent three
years. While away his wife committed
the gravcst of all indlscrctions. When
the husband returned, his heart hungry
for the love Of his dear ones, he found
n disgraccd and ruined home. The blow
Frustrated him, and for days he fingered
between life and death. When his
health partially returned he went TO the
minister of his church for counsel AMI
advice. The minister tod lin to aban
don the woman to her fate.
""You annotbring her to my church,
he said, "ns your wife. Your ncighbor
will point the finger of scorn at you, ant
will shun you if You forgive her and tax,
her to your home"
"'Ile went TO n ncighbor--a Poot
man, great hearted maitland laid tn,
case before him. He argued for hi
lost wife, and pointed ont what h,
thought his duty was NJ taught him b,
the Bible. His neiRhbor advised him t,
condouc his wifc's oilcnse, TO take he
back to his home and let her love and b
loved by her children. He took hi
neighbours advice. The struggle wa
hard at first, but it grew easier wit
years. To-day there is not happier o
more highly respected family in tn
peninsula Of Florida. The man In
prospcrcd wonderfully. He is rich. Iii
wife is received everywhere, aud hi
daughters are the bellies Of the county
The story" said the Florida Senator
, "mnde a decpjmprcssion Dune. HAY
/ thought # it many and many time
> aud have wondered what would hav
, been the fate Of that man and that man
wife and children if revenge instead {
, duty and pity had conquered"