The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-13
MARRIED HIS SISTER.
A True Romance of Wilkes and Lin
coin Counties.

A True Romance of Wilkes and Lin
coin Counties.
From the Washington (Gd.) Chronicle.
1t was many decades Of years ago that the
forest country i'll the vicinity of Graves
mountain, was occupied by a numerous and
opulent class of people.
Not many furlongs from its face was the
palatial home of a gentleman, whom we
will designate as Mr.. William Constance, a
person of elegant culture; Mrs. Constance
and daughter, Ahne, made up the family
circle, a son having died in infancy.
In the distance ON a neighboring hill, was
the stately mansion of Mr.. A. Wilberforce
and far up the valley, were the homes Of
John Smilax, AL xander Duncan and other
planters If a primitive and heroic race and
who had accumulated large estates in land
and stores. In souIheasterly course from
the mountain there still remain traces of
the once famous home of Col. Nerdier, con-
temporary of aforesaid names and the
members of whose household are the main
actors II the following narrative.
Col. Verdier enjoyed the confidence Of his
people and held the honorable position of
StaJe Senator. Mrs. Verdier, lady of
rare accomplishments aud great personal
beauty, made her home the resort of social
and fashionable gatherings Two children
lived to bless this happy family and were
nurtured in this, tine home of their infancy.
Eugene, the eldest, and sister Jolna, cher
lShed for each other a romantic fondnesS,
something more akin to that of lovers, than
the affection usually belonging to brother
and sister. This attachment, forsooth, as
they grew older, was subject of comment
and in time became a neighborhood's
scandal.
Eugene was young man of commanding
figure, tall and stately, possessed with a
mind of the finest mould and wrought for
Immortality. He bore a striking resem-
blance in person and character to Mr.. VIM
Constance, which gave encouragement to a
malicious scandal, that Eugene was of
doubtful paternity. The intimate relations
between the Constance and Verdier families
had continued uninterrupted for many
years, but became jeopardized by
recent rumors, that tended to
estrange them, and wound the
pride and high character, especially Of the
latter. Mutual friends, ever and anon, en-
couraged an attachment between Eugene
and Aline Constance, but his partialitie'
were otherwise inclined. 1t is no doubt
true, that these fabrications concerning the
questioned relationship between brother
and sister had early been breathed into the
ears of Eugene and Jolina, and gave
grounds to indulge in hopes fordly cher
ished but the confide assurances of loving
parents should have dispelled such a delu-
sion.
Simultaneous with lively rumors defam-
atory of the fair name of the Verdiers
came the lamentable tidings that Eugene
and sister had in an adjoining county, pre-
sented themselves at the hymenial altar and
pledged their eternal fidelity as man and
wifi. .Col. Verdier, receiving unmistakable
tidings of the fact, hurried to the rescue,
and carried his scn and daughter to his
home. Such panic has seldom been wit
messed in q community.
1t was urged by many that the strong
arm Of the law should be brought to bear
in the case. A committal trial was held,
and the subject brought first before the
church of which Col. Verdeer was a men,
ber Counsel was employed pro and con-
witnesses subpRnaed far and near, who
might shed light on this embarrassing sub
ject-Eugene and sister, or wife, as the
case may be, were under arrest and
gave bond for appearance at trial.
The occasion was witnessed by listening
hundreds, eager to catch every word. Many
prominent citizens gave evidence of having
known the parties from their infancy and
did not question the relationship of brother
and sister. Others again, testified TO ru-
mors heard and convictions based on GER
brother and sister.
The case began now TO assume a most
novel, romantic phase. A witness was
suborned and swore that he knew the child
Eugene was left on a chilly night at the
front door of Col. V. in basket and taken
in as an ad pied child.
Mrs. Verdier and husband testified to the
identity of their child.
Counsel for defense now introduced two
IL
they gave evidence of facts so unm stakable
that the trial terminated in a most trium-
plant vindication of the parties.
1t appeared that John Smilax and Mr..
Alex Duncan, two most worthy and respec-
table citizens, had remained i'll possession of
a secret for years, and for reasons not given
testified to boyish indiscretion which their
maturer judgment now condemned, but for
which act on their part they most humbly
beg for forgiveness of parents Of parties at
law, as the act committed was without
malice aforethought
Mr.. Smilax then made known to the
court, that fifteen or sixteen years ago, that
Mr.. Alex. Duncan with himself met at
Wheats camp ground during a protracted
service, and while Mrs. Constance and Mrs
VerdIer were at the ''stand" and their
babies enjoying sweet repose at one of the
tents, they put into execution the design of
exchanging the children's clothing. A pros
pect of threatening weather fastened the
mothers to snatch up their respective babies,
recognized by its clothing, and hurried
homeward. AS mentioned already, Mrs.
Constance soon after lost her infant.
Eugene still lives to gladden. his home,
and with his beautiful wife adorns the
society of which they are honored MEM
bers. Congratulations followed the termi-
tion of this complex case, and descendants
of Eugene, if living, no doubt exult in the
assurance that he was not his mothers
child.