Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-29
n. Y. Dispatch.

and Vet no Explanation.
Ny. Dispatch
Mr.. Robert Chlsolm was q retired
merchant, vino resided in the suburbs
of Birmingham, England. He was q
bachelor, and his only relative was a
tWil brother, George, who resided at
Bristol. They had been left orphans
at an early age, and were brought up
by a gentleman In whose employ
their father had been for many years.
They both took to the sea, and from
the age of sixteen TO thirty seven
never saw one another. Robert had
saved some money, giving 10 the sea,
and ne went into business la Bristol
as shipping agent and broker, TAX
ing his brother as D partner. They
prOspered and after twenty years in
business Robert retired, and for some
reason known only to himself, took
up his abode in Birmingham. George
married soon after going into business
with the brother, and as he had
large family, continued the business
after the brothers retirement. The
closest affection always existed be-
tween the brothers, aud they cores
ponded with regularity. There wasa
very close resemblance between them,
though George was somewhat stouter
and more firmly knit than his
brother.
On December 20, 1850, Robert went
to visit his brother, intending to
spend Christmas with him. He was IN
troduced to young gentleman, named
Churchill, TO whom he was given to
understand Georges eldest daughter
was to be married Mr.. Charles
Churchill was represented as being
the joint proprietor with his brother
of very extensive plantations in one
of the West India Islands, and had
arrived from Barbados a short time
previously to attend to the interest of
himself and b~other at Bristol. He
was born in the West Indies, and had
not visited the mother country before.
Singularly enough, he was the sur
yIvor of twins, the other having been
lost at sea under very painful circum-
stances.
When they we're two wears old,
their father and mother resolved to
visit England, from which they had
been absent many years. They took
AICASSCs-C u pun OlAC Va AllC J-tA 1GSSA1lOACtS
West Indian traders, bus the third
day out the vessel was struck by the
tail end Of q hurricane and dismasted.
After rolling about for some days, it
was discovered that the vessel had
sprung a leak, aud 1t was decided to
take to the boats For two days and
a night, the crew and passengers,
occupying three boats, made fair head
way toward Barbados, keeping pretty
close together. The second night q
sguall struck them, and the boat in
which MIR. and Mrs. Churchill and
their family were. filed and went
down. All on board persisted, except
Charles Churchill, who was fshed out
OF the sea with a spark of life IN MIN
as he foated past one of the other
bOats-the only one which was heard
of again, and reached Barbados In
safety. Charles was cared for by his
fathers son by a first wife, and shared
with him ultimately In the estate.
Robert Chisholm stayed with his
brother over Christmas, and had
many opportunities of seeing Charles
Churchill.
A STRANGE RECOGNITION.
The next year Robert spent some
months on the continent, and was in
Paris during those memorable days
when Louis Napoleon seized the gov
eminent of France. A fearless man,
active and always inquisitive. he was
repeatedly on the streets of the
troubled city. To his unbounded as
tonlshment, he recognized in a red
shirted, besmirched leader at one OF
the barbados, the young West Indian
whom he bad met at his brolher's-
Charles Churchill. Again and again
he scrutinized him closely, and was
satisfied of identify. In a letter to
his brother he related the circum STAGE,
and was informed In reply that some
time before Charles Churchill had left
England, intending TO visit America
and came back to England and marry
Miss Chisholm.
On his return to England Robert
Chisholm went to London to visit the
great Exhibition. In the crowd one
day he suddenly came upon Charles
Churchill and addressed him by name.
He seemed surpried and assured Mr..
Chisholm he must be mistaken. Short
ly afterward he met him in company
with three others and again challenged
him. He smiled, spoke to his com
pauion in foreign language and
then told Mr. Chisholm that ne had
never seen him before that day aud
had no acquaintance whatever in
England
After Mr.. Chisholm turned away,
he was approached by neatly attired
gentleman who inquired whether he
YVES friend of the person to whom
he had just been speaking. Mr.. CHS,
holm replied that he thought he re-
cognized him as friend, but must
have been mistaked, as the recognition
was not mutual.
II am detective" the gentleman
said, land am instructed TO keep an
eve on that man and his associates as
dangerous characters. am satisfied
that you are not one of his compan
ions"