Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-05-23
A Modern Enoch Arden.
From the Cleveland Herald

A Modern Enoch Arden.
From the Cleveland Herald.l
Eight years ago George Eastwood,
a young and handsome artist, came to
Cleveland from New York. Cultured
and talented, be had little difficulty in
winning his way into the center oi
society, for be had enough of the lucre
to maintain proper degree of style.
His fame as an artist was not very
wide spread, but as he was a gentleman
of prepossessing manners and appear
ance, he was universally liked and es-
teemed. In the course of events he
was invited one evening to the recep-
tion rendered a beautiful West Side
girl on the occasion of her twentieth
birthday. He attended, and for the
first time met the young lady in whose
honor the party was given. 1t was
the old story,-love at first sight. He
did not resist the emotions that took
possession of him, but inspired by
them, made every effort to be agreea-
BILE. The impulse was mutual. She
played the guitar exceedingly well and
sang divinely. Before the evening
was ended they were singing duets for
the edfcation of the company. The
outcome of that evenings meeting was
an engagement, and of the engagement
a wedding Six months after the re-
ception the two loving hearts were
made one, and the happy artist and his
beautiful wife began housekeeping on
one of the most fashionable avenues on
the West Side.
HAPPY MARRIAGE-TRIP TO EUROPE.
The speedy courtship and the happy
marriage made the only topics of con-
versation in their circle of acquaintance
for weeks. The young wife had pre-
viously been the center of attraction of
the gallant swains of the West Side.
Among them was a young, hard-work-
ing mechanic, who, despite his brown
hands and bronze face, had seemed to
be first among the young lady's admir-
ers. A scholar and gentleman he
was esteemed alike in society and busi-
ness circles That the hasty marriage
of the girl upon whom he had placed
his affections was cruel disappoint-
ment no one could doubt. Yet hardly
by look or deed did he express it, save
perhaps by more quiet and by an al
most universal absence from all society.
Two years after the marriage of
George Eastwood he began to appre-
ciate the fact that his talent had OBJ
tanned outside recognition. Three
years before, end year previous to his
marriage, while passing the Palisades
of the Hudson by moonlight, he drew
hasty study of the glorious scene,
that on his arrival home was transfer
red to canvas. Parting one afternoon
with friend who was on the eve of
sailing for Europe, he presented him
with his work of art. The picture ac-
companied it's new owner across the
sea, and after few months found its
way into one of the most celebrated art
galleries in Florence, in Italy. Here
it was universally admired, and one
dav a Florentine artist. learning the
young artists name and residence, sent
him fattering letter, in which was
made lucrative offer to come to Flor
ence Encouraged by the hope of
possible fortune, the young artist de-
cided to leave his young wife and their
happy home in Cleveland, and took bis
departure for Italy. He had not for
moment conceived of longer absence
than six months, when he should re-
turn and accompany his loving wife to
their new home in the land of sunshine
and flowers. The brightness seemed
to have entirely left the little home
when he had gone, and the mother
found her only pleasure in playing
with her little daughter Nellie, then
approaching her first birthday.
A SAD ACCIDENT.
In the meantime the young artist
was on his voyage across the sea. All
was bright before him, and be antici-
pated only fame and happiness. Ar
irving in Italy, he resolved to take a
months recreation among the noun
tains. But for this resolve the occas-
ion for this article would undoubtly
not have occurred. Venturing out |
without guide, he one day received a
fearful fail down the mountain side.
Brain fever followed. For weeks and
weeks he tossed upon bed of agony, |
only to grow worse and worse, and
finally to apparently lose reason and
mind altogether He was confined in
an asylum a hundred miles from Flor
off ado "a n
tify him. His trunks and letters were
at Florence, and when the letters OF
inquiry from home reached the police
of that city, this fact was sent back
with the information that their owner
could not be found. What money the
artist had he took with him, leaving
only enough behind to provide for the
wants of the family until he could re-
turn. A year had already passed and
the money was long since gone. Too
proud to ask assistance of her friends,
the heart-broken wife took to her
needle, and between her prayers for
her husbands return and her tears
over the cruel fate that kept forcing it.
self upon her, she managed to earn
enough to live.
Time rolled on, and two, three and
four years were added to her widow
hood.
"He is dead" whispered every
breath of wind that famed her faded
and waning cheeks. Eyes, he is dead" "
she said to herself, and tried to realize
the awful fact. So she let it be under
stood that she thought her loving and
gentle husband dead, and quietly set
tied down to the terrible realization OF
her condition.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL.
While sitting detected, although re-
signed, at her table one evening, her
n Ia mt