Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-05-29
a PRIZE ROMANCE.


VOrce-Mixed Identities and Adventures
on Three Continental PrOsaic Sequel.
A curious story is told at Atlanta, Ga,
by Mrs. Mary A Robertson, the widow
OF we'll known Tennessee physician,
and lady of considerable wealth. About
year ago shewas visited by gentleman
named Randall III. Wright, and received
from him proposal of marriage. In
time, however, rumors began to circulate
that Wright was already a married man,
and the father of an interesting family.
The lady narrated these rumors to her
sutton, who, as she AYERS, gave her the fol-
lowing romantic story as an explana-
ton: Mr.. Wright's earliest recollection
of himself was as the son of Well-tO-do
farmer. He had a brother named Rob
ert-a boy singularly like himself in
form, face and manner. The two broth
ers were inseparable companions. When
they were in their fourteenth year it fell
to their lot to assist in harvesting the
pineapples, which were singularly mellow
and red-cheeked at that particular sea-
son. A friendly contest ensued, which
degenerated into an unbrotherly fight,
In which Randall severely belabored
Robert. When rising from his victory,
Randall saw the advancing figure of his
father, who, out of breath, shrieked:
"Ungrateful bastard, is this the manner
in which you repay my kindness? Take
that" giving the astonished boya clip on
the ear, "and never let me see you
again"
Running to his mother, she told Ran
dali the story of his infancy. Twelve
years before an immigrant ship was
wrecked off the coast. An infant was
found lying upon the beach the only
living survivor of the disaster. This
child Mr.. Wright picked up and brought
to his home, where, being struck by the
resemblance to his own infant boy, the
couple decided to adopt him as their own.
The only possible clew to the child's
identity was tiny little bracelet, on the
inside of which was inscribed Randall
H" This article Mrs. Randall carefully
put away for the future. Randall at once
determined that the first work Of life
should be to unravel the enigma of his
birth.
This led to a singular succession of
events. He travelled east, west, north,
and south, with no success. At last a des-
perate idea seized him. Taking ship for
England, heowent to Windsor castle, and,
Guiding the vigilance of the guards and
red tape connected with presentations to
royalty, he rushed into the presence of
Queen Victoria, and poured his sorrows
in her sympathetic ear. She listened
with interest to his story, and put him
in communication with men who could
assist him in his search. After a series
of failures which would have dishearten-
ed most men, he at last heard story in
q rural hamlet which gave him a clew
sufficient to renew his hopes. Years be-
fore, corresponding with the time since
the wreck, there lived in this hamlet a
worthy yeoman named Hunter who had
wife, daughter, and an infant son
named Randall. The family sailed for
the United States the vessel was wreck
ed, and Mr.. Hunter alone, of the entire
party, was saved. He returned to Eng
land, and after season went to Austral-
la, where he prospered, and was at that
moment a wealthy man. 1t did not
take the young man long to decide on
his course. He took steamer for Mel
bourne. AS he stepped upon the dock
there the first person upon whom his
eyes fell was his foster brother Robert
There he stood, with the light of a devil
ish triumph in his eyes. Passing him
by in quiet dignity, Randall sought out
the home of Mr.. Hunter, and narrated
to the old gentleman the story of his
wanderings. Mr.. Hunter listened with
deep interest, and when the story wa
ended, declared himself nystifed. "Tht
facts and details fit exactly" said he
"but my long-lost child was restored tt
me few mornings ago. Yet you lool
marvelously like him." Calling in thu
alleged son, Robert H. Wright appeared
GLOW am 1 to decide between you?
cried the father in despair. "By thi
sign" said Robert, drawing from hi
pocket the bracelet when his mothe
had kept for safe keeping, SIS
The evidence was conclusive, and tn
true son had to turn away, in. despair
He returned to America, only to find hi
troubles renewed. While walking tn
streets of an Ohio city he was met by
woman who threw herself into his arms
sobbing: My husband myleng lost hus
bandp He attempted to explain b,
telling her his name-it was just wha
she had taken it to be. She was the rea
wife of his brother Robert, and her mis-
take in identity was natural. Out O
pity forfher he allowed the matter t
stand as she imagined it should. III
paid bills of her contracting, and in thi
way became committed to the fact tina
that he was her husband. Wherever b
went in the vain hope of relief from he
opportunities, he found himself cor
fronted with her. At last he determined
out of abundant caution, to secure a d
vorce, which would leave him absolutel
free.
Wright is a Observation-Disclosures mar
with abundant side whiskers and plat
-sible manner, calculated to lend color t
any story he might chance to tell. To a.
certain the facts as sworn to in cour
your correspondent to-day examined tn
libel for divorce filed in Fulton superiC
court, r. II. Wright VS.. Katie Wright
which is not quite so romantic as the on
which Mrs. Robertson narrates. He a
leges that on the 9th day of May, 1885,
he was lawfully married to said Kat
Wright, and that within ten months b
became through her the father of
child; that said wife did not cook hi
meals regularly, she beat him on tn
head with sticks, and refused to let hin
play with his baby. For these trivi:
allegations he seeks divorce, and O
them he has obtained the first YerdiC