The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-22
THE LETTER THAT CAME.
Delayed But Not Too Late to Heal
Lovers Quarrel
Fi,om AZ Chfcaqo Mah

From the Chicago Mail
WASHINGTON, Feb. f7.-Among the
sight-seers at the capital yesterday many
noted robust, typical young Englishman
who escorted with decidedly proprietary
air a pretty little blonde, whose blushing
cheeks and downcast blue eyes no less than
the tell-tale newneSs of her apparel pro
claimed her to be bride. The young peo-
pie were married last week after court
ship as romantic as one often reads OF IN
real life, and are now on their wedding
tour. The young mans name is Ashley,
and four years ago he was the favorlte son
of wealthy English squire,
He was unlucky enough, however, to in
cur his fathers displeasure by forming an
attachment for young lady in neighbor-
ing town, who, While possessing beauty and
refinement, could boast but little in the way
of worldly goods By the death of near
relative Ashley inherited few thousand
dollars, and seeing little opportunity IN Eng
land of ever being able to marry and sup
port the lady of his choice he bade his sweet
heart fearful farewell and, after an in
terchange of vows to be forever faithful to
her, he sailed for America to try his for
tune
Arriving in this country he sought out a
thriving Western city, and by energy and
perseverance succeeded in establishing a
tlourishing business. For many months he
and his English sweetheart correspondent
regularly, but one day he failed to receive
the usual letter from across the seas and
when, after week or SO, it finally arrived
without explanation as to the delay, in fit
of anger he penned a reply which he would
gladly have re allied an hour afterward,
when it was too late. To this he received no
answer and, though heaping reproaches
upon himself for his hastY act, he never
wrote again; but the image of the sweet
little English girl was craven on his heart.
The steamship Oregon went down at
about this time, and small sailing vessel,
the Petrol. bound from New York to Liver
pool for delivery to recent purchasers picked
up small water soaked mail bag that had
evidently been floating about for some days.
The master opened the bag, but found little
else than mass of pulp; one letter only
was preserved, incloSed in a stout envelope
which bore family legible superscription.
The letter with memorandum attached
was placed by the captain in a small port
able writing case and in the course of few
days entirely forgotten.
Arriving at Liverpool the Petrol was
turned over to her new owners. The cap
tain and crew were reshipped, and the lit
tie vessel sailed for Cape Town, Africa,
where she was put in the coasting trade.
While on shore after long cruise the
master Of the vessel was taken with fever
and died. His effects were sent to Liver
pool by the employers and thence to his wife
at New Bedford, Mass. Upon examining
them the captains widow found the water
stained letter which had been picked up by
the Petrol, and after carefully sealing it she
conscientiously mailed it to its address,
George Ashley, Esq, Fargo, D. T., United
States of America"
Ihe mlssIve that had Travelled for months
in foreign seas was from Ashleys little
tiancee, and when he read the loving words
in which she explained her apparent neg
lect, all his old passion for the fair English
girl came back, AMI within an hour he had
sent spinning along the Atlantic cable a
message for which he paid SIS and consid-
cred it money well spent 1t found her con-
slant to the old love, and in a few days she
was upon the ocean bound for America.
Ashley met her in New York, and after
the joy of the first meeting had in meas
ure subsidized they were quietly married on
Saturday last.
Tney arrived in this city to-day on their
way to.Florida where the honeymoon will
be spent