Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-10-30
AN ILLINOIS ROMANCE.
TWO YOUNG sUCkEE srAIE FRIENDS AND
THEIR SOMEWHAT TRAGIC
LOVE AFFtlE~.
lChicago Inter OccanI

lfthe story which comes from
Milmine, this State, is true, we need
be 10 longer dependent upon an
cient history and almost mythical
characters for our examples of the
ideal friendship. We have it here
in the Sucker State, and pOsterlty
shall no longer doubt the existence
of a Damon and PythiaS, or a Dav-
id and Jonathan, but shall turn to
the annals Of the plain sturdy farm
ers of the prairies and read Of the
friendship that existed between VI.
l.. Timmons and Louis Downs in
this year OF our Lord, 1856. These
young men have been friends on a
farm, have prospered and grown
rich in this worlds goods. aS their
friendship grew stronger, and %
day their lives are said to be in-
separable.
Before TimmOns came to the
prairie land he had won the allec-
tons of the daughter Of wealthy
farmer by the name of Porter, re-
siding near Mount Sterling, o. In
writing TO his aflianced from his
new home, Timmons gave enthnsi-
astlc reports concerning his friend
Downs, and so marvellous were his
descriptions Of the virtues of the
young nan that to the young lady
he stood as a model of ideal man
hood, next TO that of her lover
She had a sister, as near and dear
as only sisters always are III ro-
mances of this kind. and IN what
way could she better show her love
than by bringing together these
two hearts, aud make a quarictte
of perfect harmony and happiness
1t was easily done. The sister was
already interested in the lovers re-
ports Of his friend. and she readily
consented to correspond with him.
The acquaintance grew into love,
and after an exchange of photo
graphs followed an engagement
To both the young ladies, accord
ing to the photographs, Downs was
as handsome as he was noble and
good, and last week preparations
were completed at the old Porter
homestead in Ohio for grand
double wedding. The neighhors
we're invited, and the Old mansion
rang with merrimcn5 until the day
before that appointed for the we'd
ding. The eXpectaut grooms ar
rived and Trmmons was received rs
became lover, but both ladies
waited for an introduction TO the
gentleman who accompanied him
OF course Downs had never met ms
sweetheart. and therefore the EN-
barrasSmcnt. The introduction was
followed by more serious comph
cation. As the young ladies heard
the name of Downs given 10 the
plain, even homely, looking man
who stood before them, they went
! into Mysteries, and the girl who had
lavishcd her love on the Shadow
of the handsome mluStIcl man sent
by Mr.. Downs in place of his own
picture, then and there declared she
would never marry a horrld ugly
man who had so baSely deceived
her. And she didn't. The wed.
ding was indefinitely postponed.
1t is due to Mr.. TiumOns to say
that he knew nothing about tho
deception pIactlced by his friend
but even this shOrtcOming should
not break the bond between them
Friendship was stronger even than
love, and he informed his lance
that if one wedding was postponed
both should be, in fact that hC
would not marry one unless Downs
married the other. But the de
ceived and brOkcn-hearted glrl wa'
firm in Il, r refusal TO marry Downs
and lOath as he was to leave the
woman he had so long and so ar
IDENTIFY loved, Mr.. TimmOns ;urnco
away aud clung to the friend OF his
prairie home. Together the young
men returned, sadder and wiser
but better friends than ever.