The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-11-01
A FLORIDA ROMANCE.
AGrlm Household Skeleton which Iowa MA
& 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 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.
"When candidate for the United
States Senate" no said, Gin company
with ten or a dozen other gentlemen. T
canvassed the State of Florida from one
end to the other. Just at dusk one evening
we arrived at farm. house of rather pre.
tentiols appearance. We were warmly
welcomed by the owner, who was known
at least to one of the party. We were
served with splendid supper, ut which
we were waited upon by the farmers
daughters--three bright, beautiful girls.
The farmer occupied one end Of the
table and his wife, an elderly lady, with
snow white hair and benevolent face.
the other. L was Mt onco attracted by
tho aninbility of the family. They wero
very cheerful and apparently very
anxious to make each other very happy.
The greatest regard was paid to the
mother, and no opportunity was lost to
show respect and devotion to her.
'When the time came for retiring tho
farmer took from shelf IN old, we'll
thumbcd Bible and said:
Gentlemen, for nearly q scoro of
years it has been my habit to havo family
worship before retiring. Ihopo you will
join us tonight
clio read n chapter from tho Bible.
and wo all knelt while he made n short
eloquent prayer. The next morning the
samo order, chccrfulncss and kindness
were noticeable. When we rodo away
from tho house I said to gentleman
who was noxt to me that 1 had never
witnessed more peaceful, prosperous
homo, and one where there seemed to be
80 much genuine happiness.
"My friend said 'Is it possible that
you do not know this mans story? He
passed through such q trial rs drives
many men crazy. His lifo is q moral
lesson. He has shown the moral cour.
age that not one III n million shows. He
is hero, dwelling hero among tho pcaco-
full pines of Florida. He was a Con-
tedcrato soldier, and 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
a young wife and three little girls-mere
babies they were. Ho was absent three
years. Whllo away his wife committed |
the gravcst of all indiscrctions. When
the husband returned, his heart hungry
for the love of his dear ones, he found
d,s8raccd and ruined home. The blow
prostratcd him, and for days he fingered
between lifo and death. When his
health partially returned he went to the
of his church for counsel and
advice. The minister told him to aban-
don the woman to her fate.
""You cannot bring her to my church."
he said, "as your wife. Your neighbors
will point the finger Of scorn Mt YOU, and
Will shun you If you forgive her and take
her to your home"
'He went to neighbor-a good |
man, n great. hearted mnn-and laid the |
case before him. He argued for his
lost wltc, and pointed out what he |
thought his duty was as taught him by |
tho Bible. His ncighbor advised him to
c"ndone his wlfcs oilenso, to take her
back to his home and let her love and be
loved by her children. He took his
ncighbor's advice. The struggle wns
hard Mt first, but II grew easier with
yea" To-day there is not n happier o.
h'oie ,'i8hly respected 1amlly III the
peninsula OF Florida. The man has
prospercd wonderfully. He is rich. His
wife is received everywhere, and his
daughters are the bellies of the county )
Tho story" said the Florida Senator.
"rhadc deep impression on me. Ihave
thought of it many and many q time,
and have. wondered what would have
been the fate of that man and that mans
wife and children if revenge instead of
duty and pity had conquered"