The Irish standard., 1886-10-02
AN ILLINOIS ROMANCE.
Two Young Sucker State Friends and Tller
Somewhat Tragic Love Affairs.

Somew hat Tragic Love Affairs
[Chcago Inter Ocean.1
| If the story which comes from Milmine.
| this State is true, we need be no longer
| dependent upon ancient history and al
| most ythical characters for our examples
| OF the ideal friendship. We have it here
in the Sucker State, and posterity shall no
| longer doubt the existence Of Damon and
| Pythias, or David and Jonathan but
shall turn to the annals of the plain sturdy
farmers OF the prairies and read Of the
friendship that existed between M. L..
Timmons and Louis Downs in this year Of
our Lord, 1856 These young men have
been friends on q farm, have prospered
and grown rich in this worlds goods, as
! their friendship grew stronger, and to-day
their lives are said to be inseparable.
Before Timmons came to the prairie land
he had won the affections Of the daugh hter
of a wealthy farmer by the name Of Por-
ter, residing near Mount Sterling, O. III
writing to his afhanced from his new home,
Timmons gave enthusiastic reports con-
:cerning his friend Downs. and so marvel
ous we're his descriptions OF the virtues of
the young man that to the young lady he
stood as a model of ideal manhood, next
Il
near and dear as only sisters always are IL
ronlances OF this kind. and in what way
could she better show her lows than by
bringing together these two hearts, and
make quarUette Of perfect harmony and
happiness? 1t was easily done. The sis,
ter was already interested in the lovers
reports Of his FRIEND and she readily con-
,sented to correspond with him The ac-
quaintance grew into love, and after an
exchange Of photographs followed al en-
gagennent. To both the young ladies, ac-
cordjng to tie photograph, Downs was as
handsome as he was noble and good, aud
last week preparations were completed at
The old Porter homestead in Ohio for
grand double wedding. The neighbors
were invited, and the old mansion rang
with merriment until the day before that
appointed for the wedding. Tine expectant
grooms arrived and Ti1nmons was
received as became lover; but
both ladies waited for Ell introduction to
the gentleman who accompanied him. Of
course Downs had never met his sweet
heart, and therefore the embarrassment.
The Introduction was followed by Il more
serious complication. AS the young Ia
dies hoard the name Of Downs given to the
plain, even homely, looking man, who
stood before them, they went into hyster
les and the girl who had lavished her
love on the shadow of the handsome min
strel man sent by Mr.. Downs in place of his
own picture, then and there declared she
would never marry horrjd ugly man
who had SO basely deceived her. And she
didn't. The wedding was indefinitely post
poned.
1t is due TO Mr.. Timmons to say that he
knew nothing about the deception prac-
ticed by his friend, but even this shortco1n-
ing should not break the bone between
them Friendship was stronger oven than
love, and he informed his tiancee that if
one wedding was postponed both should
be, in fact that he would not marry one
unless Downs married the other. But the
deceived and broken-heartsd girl was firm
i'll her refusal to marry Downs. and loath
as he was to leave the woman he had so
long and SO a1dently loved, Mr.. Timmons
turned away and chung to the friend of his
prairie home. Together the young men
sadder and wiser, but better
friends than ever