Daily Republican., 1883-10-25
How she Lost Her IL MsbRnG q


How Ahe Lost Her Husband.
Mrs. Bryan hal widowed mother,
who leaned on her in the weariness of
age, aud to whom 81 ministered with
an unwearving ion. She had little
ones, whose lives were dearer to her
than was her own life, and whose merry
voices and loving acis kept her soul
and heart in health. And 50 she had
been a happy ''s'ay-at.home.
But In 1876 Mr.. Bryan protested she
must 90 to the Centennial. After three
weeks intense enjoyment In that mini
ature tour of the world they look seats
in the cars for home by way of New
York city. Seeing friend, Mr.. Bryan
stepped back momen, but moments
In Philadelphia were OF priceless value
in that rushing year, and off flew the
train at iii mile a-minute pace. AS II
dashed into the Jersey City depot the
people, who seemed 10 have caught Its
contag ior, rushed for the calm ferry
boats. And Mrs. Bryan moved on
with the crowd As Il matter of course.
She saw Two ferry boats, and asked of a
gentleman on the one on which she
stepped 81, this the boat for New
York;"
Yes, Corilandt street, New York"
When The boat touched the wharf she
went the t rry house., and being at the
end of her tickets, sat down to wal, tor
her husband
The cool breeze from off the water
was delightful after the rush and heat I,
and sitting back quietly, she lived over
the days of the past three weeks as a
passed quickly. Then came the boat,
but the husband came not
"It is y range he missed this train, ="
she thought, ." but he will be on the
next" and went back to her seat bnt
somehow the breeze was no longer re-
freshing, the minutes were much long.
er than on the first hour; memory would
not revel amid The wondrous beauties
OF the worlds exhibit, and the sonnd of
The incoming boat was joy to her But
a dreary sense OF loneliness came over
her as that croWding crowd passed on
and not one lace Of all had she ever
saw before. She went slowly back to
her sitting and waiting, and he OF the
ferry house came ard asked, "What ye
waiting for %
She told him.
TITS agin the rules to let folks wait
here more'n two boats"
She knew her husband always
stopped at the Astor House, and to it
she went, booked her name, said her
husband would be there soon, and was
shown her room. 1t was almost dinner
time, but she did not feel like eating
until her husband came Evening wo .
into night, but no husband arrived.
She threw herself upon the bed, and
wondered where he might be ?
Would he finl her? Would She be sus-
pected at the hotel ? Questioncn
What could she dO?" She could not
stay she could not 60 without money.
and money was just what she had not.
Oh, for one Of those X bills that lined
his pocket-book but to be penniless
and alone in New York city?
Then came the sweet, soothing, rest
full thought that we are never alone.
One never loses sight Of us, though we,
blind mortals, often lose sight OF him,
and rising, she prayed, went to bed,
and in His arms Of love she slept
calmly.
In the morning she teegraphed a
friend OF her husband, who lived in
Brooklyn, and went to breakfast.
But Mr.. Bryan has not talked to his
friend all this time. Indeed, he took
the very next train, and on reaching
Jersey City depot looked for his wife
whom he was sure must be waiting for
him. Not finding her, he took thu boat
for Des brosses street. On reaching the
ferry house he looked for her, and
asked for her. He knew he had inten-
ded to take her to the Fifth A venue
Hotel, and thought he had told her
SO, and that she had gon there, and
there he soon was, and there tbe was
not. He sat down in blank surprise
From hotel to hotel he went, looked over
arrivals and made inquiries, but could
find no u ace of her.
Tired Out, at late hour, he went to
bed, but not 10 sleep. His lone, penni-
less, wife,in the great bewildering city,
haunted him.
If she only had money 70 he often
exclaimed IL will see she has full
purse in Il safe place, hereafter" he
said, and there came the crushing sense
that now -Ae needed 1t, ,and now she had
| it not Where could she be? At day
break he WAS again Oh the search.
That Sunday morning a happy group
sat around the breakfast-table of a
pleasant home in Brooklyn. A quick
ringing of tne bell SO unusual at that
hour of the morning in that city of
churches, caused moments expectant
silence, and when telegram was hand
ed Gen. Rice his wife was hardly sur
prised to see II quick pain flush his face.
Mr. Bryan Is dead -
Dead Exclaimed his wife.
ayes Mrs. Bryan telegraphs me:
| have lost my husband. Please come
to me at the Aslor House His dea b
must have been very sudden. He look
ed the imparsonation of health on his
way to the Centennial"
THAT Philadelphia water Is murder
GUS. ! wish were able to go with you.
Be sure and get Anna"
With rapid strides Gen. Rice went to
his brothers. home, where he found
what he had just leit-a happy group
at breakfast.
Noble Anna, with quick, womanly
sympathy though nearly stranger to Mrs
Bryan, left her breakfast unfinished,
to go and support and comfort, so far as
human sympathy can, b r, whose hus-
band, In the viguf and freshness of
manhood and health had been taken
General Rice tapped with sad heart
and K ntle hand at ,.rs Bryan's door.
1t WAS opened by man of some six
feet two, with a most happy face!
General Rice had led his battalions
up to the cannOn's mouth, had led them
over bristling tOrtifieations,an and thought
himself brave man, but, az that tall
figure loomed up,and Il Sc smiling eyes
looked down ON him, started back
appalled,, and exclaimed.
Well-you are the liveliest corpse