Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-09-18
HE INTENDED TO RETURN TO HER.
The Romantic story OF "a ID. a 10. q.
Passenger and Its sad Sequel.

As yesterday mornings ID. q X. q.
train pulled out OF the Ogden depot tall
and rather fleshy man, apparently not
over thirty years OF age, entered the
smoking car and after hesitatng mo.
ment as though undecided about where
to sit he finally dropped into seat next
to a DEMOCRAT man and Immediately
opened up the conversation by asking
several questions about the pecularities
of our famous Territory.
His first words showed him to be Il
man OF education, and certain neatness
about his dress and manner proved be-
yond doubt that his breeding was that
of perfect gentleman and that the sur
roundings of his youth had been those Of
refinement. AS the talk went on, the
various phases OF the Mormon question
came up and upon the question Of polyg-
amy the man waxed eloquent; in fact his
denunciation OF anything that is unjust
to women" was unusually forcible, and it
was this theme that started him to tell
his own interesting story.
owe got wife myself" he said
musingly. "and I'd rather die than see
her suffer an instant's pain. | know |
don't deserve her; she was always too
good for me, but Pm going back to her
now, and if it's in my power to make her
happy for the rest OF her life Pm going
to do it,"
He then went on to tell how he had
quarrelled with her and left her They
had only been married a few years, and
had lived perfectly happy together until
foolish quarrel parted them and kept
them apart until now. He said that they
had lovely little home back in the town
of B., in the southern part OF Illinois,
and that they were well to do and had
everything that young couple could ask.
Their only child was born several years
ago, and it was just learning to speak its
first words when he left his home. "The
nature OF the quarrel" he said,
''is not necessary to show what
fool | was for leaving her,
but suffice it to say, struck
out for the West. / first went to Butte
then to Helena, and have since knocked
about all over the northwest country. IT
five years since | left home, and it's been
the saddest time of my life. | had al
most determined not to go home again,
when, one day not long since, | ran
across an old friend in little Montana
town, who told me all that had happened
since left home. | will not trouble you
with what he told me OF my wifes suffer-
ings, but suffice it to say that he brought
news OF the death of our child. That
was enough. In twenty-four hours | was
we'll on my way to the nearest railway
station, and here am this far on my way
home. have got brother at Salt Lake
who will be at the depot when | arrive.
| want you to meet him."
The rest of the way down the converse
ton Jagged and it was only upon general
subjects, and it was not long before the
train steamed up to the Salt Lake depot.
Following the gentleman out onto the
platform the DEMOCRAT man saw man
advance, shake hands, and hand tele-
gram to the interesting passenger. 1t
had been addressed to him in care of his
brother.
A peculiar shade passed over his face
as he read it, and he stood gazing va
cantly at it for several seconds, then
turning around without saying word he
placed the dispatch in the reporters
hand. 1t was brief. 1t contained only
these four words: "Your wife is dead"