Milford chronicle., 1883-02-23

intoxication when likely to be noticed
But now the die was cast. The house
was at once and forever forbidden
him, and peremptOry orders given the
young lady never to receive him.
! Contrary to the general result, this
sudden check had a SOLITARY effect,
He determined now once awakened tc
the nature of his vice, to reform. His
department soon won the admiration
of a host of friends, chief among whom
was our heroine, who found in his I'M
prOvement ample excuse to extend to
him such recognition as she could
without the knowledge of her parents.
Events cOnspired to bring these
young people together often. Secret
meetings were arranged aud, at last,
as is the usual result, a plan of elOpe,
ment cOnsummated. Let US not partic-
ulariZe, however, but suffice 1t to say
that the promised bliss did not appear,
Home forbidden, poor, and ineXperi-
enced in life's battles, the young pair
met all the difficulties attending such
unions, and to add to her cup of re-
morse, she discovered that he, in whom
she had cOnfided so fuly,was yielding
to the appetite of his youth. One, two
three years passed. Poverty stared in
their faces. Wantand privation drove
them from place to place Accustomed
to better things, the wife was too proud
to make her real condition known
No, she would suffer death rather than
return to the home with all its COM
forts, which she had left. Frail and
sickly, she was often compelled to en-
gage in the most laborious work to eke
out miserable existence for herself
and husband who now had sunkeu so
low in the scale of humanity as scarce
ly to claim the appellation of man.
While living near COchectOn, n. Y,
in the year IS she returned one even
ing from labor at a neighboring house,
and found her own home rObbed of
what articles of furniture she had been
able to accumulate, and her husband
whom she had supported in idleness
so long, gone. Days and months
passed befOrd any tidings whatever
were heard. News came finally thas
he had been seen in the west, living in
his old way, but with another wife.
Notwithstanding the poor condition
into which our heroine had been re-
duced. the indifference of him TO pro-
vide the necessaries of life, or, some
times, the cruel treatment received aS
his hand she had ciung 10 him through
every vicissitude with that devotion
that woman only can possess. When
spoken to concerning his faults and
habits. she was wont to say, that these
evil prOpensities were inherited and
quite beyond his control; but his hear
was as true as steel, What must have
been her remOrse then to learn that,
with all her self-denials, and CAREFUL
IN ariNsa him
possible, she had been deserted. To-
retT speet the past was only to ad
Goals To the fire burning at her heart.
She longed to blot from her memory
the history so full of bitterness, and
taking the old itie. the only token lefss
by her husband, sought the solitude of
the forest and fixed her habitatiOn
where We found her to-day and where
probably her future days will be spent. |
For several years she refused to enter
the neighbOrhOOd by daylight, pre- |
caution 1t is thought she took lest |
some one among her early acquaiut-
ance might recognize her. Necessity |
being The mother of invention" she |
SOOn learned to use the rifle with greas
skill, and many are the spOrtmen who |
have returned home TO the city, |
crowned with lanrels workmanship, |
bearing purchased game, the result of
her skill. AS the country became
cleared up and civilization approached |
nearer her habitatiOn. she gradually
became less cautious and would even
venture out to the neishbOriug towns
to sell game and furs and to Sc
cure her necessary supplies. Her
maiden name she kept u profound Sc
cret, nor 10 her early life did she often
lllude. The Female Hunter" was
5he only name by which size was
known eccept to the earliest settlers.
Her attire is said to have been tasty
and even beautiful, and although the
seldom influenced her dress,
she was always mortified by any allu-
'iOn to her lack of style. Her suis
worn in the chase, however, was made
more for comfort and convenience than
or fashion. 1t consisted of close tit
ing corduroy coat buttOned on the
hOulder, and on either side a game
pocket. The skirt attached at the :
waist to the coat, was of heavy flannell S
cor the head she wore a close fitting {
ap covered with fur. Soon her health n 4
eturned, and she was a model of (
strength, ami an exhibition
+ " hat rural life and simple, plain
wing can do.
In 1859 a lady MARIA Louisa" as
he introduced herself, came and T
egged to share the Hunters home.
with the ways Of the |
'Orld, she, too, wished to find comforsS
! solitude. Only ON condition thass
be was to remain as secondary mis- E
ress was she received. A Justice of
he peace was sent for from the most n
istant town anu the "Hunter1 dressed !,
complete male attire, and the beau
full maria Louisan took the formal .;
larriage vows. The introduction of :,
lis new member into the quiet home L
'mewhat disconnected the "Hunter,n
ut at last recOnciled to the company, y,
le rather enjoyed the change, and re- u
eyed of culinary work which "Maria E
Ouisa" had assumed, found ample
me for other duties. Each seemed su
regard the other with the most sin III
re affection. The apparent ''head of ar
e family" was accustomed to remark e.
at theirs was a model family.
Neighbors say that at the close of as
e war ''Maria louisa died and was Of
lried in one Ofthe natural sepulchers
the ledges not far from the hut. The Ph
Hunter" makes daily visits to the
ave and, it is said, may be seen sit g
lg there for hours weeping for her y
1t companion. 81
Long ago, some petty thefts, commit
l in that section were attributed to
ese innocent parties and horrible
,Iies told to the children of deeds
rpetTated to such as provoked their 2
ger. Just a report, the Hunters"
re coming, was sufficient to set the
ildren fleeing in every direction.
lese evil reports and accusations
re, however, wholly without foun-
ton. Honesty and benevOlence