The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-06
10 the Office, clocely followed by che st ange

woman. who continued TO dcnource the
popular young minister in unmcasurcd terms
when they reached the Office the trair
from tho west had arrived, and another
strange guest had just entered. The latter
was also a woman, somewhat Older than The
first. and In her eyes there was a LOOK which
meant mischief for some one.
s.Can YOU direct me to the Office of-of my
of Mr.. Arthur Mauryf'
.'Grcat heavens exclaimed the now thor
oughly excited landlord.
"Who are your demanded the woman who
had claimed to be Mrs. Maury Of the new
conner.
Il am, or at least | was, Mr.. Maury's
wife. but | have ~heard-no, 10, | will not be
lieve il.
..Ohi the scoundrell the v~illain!' exclaimed
Mrs. Maury No /, and then there was a scene
,lch as was never dreamed of in the philoso-
ply Of the good people Of independence.
The terrible news spread on the wind, and
before tho two women had dried their tears
Of anger and shame, the entire population OF
the village had gathered at the hotel.
"Mr. Maury. tie minister. has two wives"
was the shocking intelligence whispered to
Tie tuIlDuS CiDNu. AA'i 6h'
into each others faces in silence. The news
was too terrible for words.
Deacon White took the strange ladies' ASIDE,
one at a time, heard their stories and care
fully examined each marriage ceftihcate.
This latter documentary evidence caused blm
to lose all hope of saving the good name Of
his friend and pastor. When he realized the
horrible truth he told the deserted wives that
Mr. Maury had left the village two days
before, and no one knew where he had gone
or when he would return.
Deserted forever was the despairing ex
clamation from the two weeping women.
For three days business was suspended IN
the village, and the people gathered in little
groups on the streets to discuss the terrible
disclosure. The two women who had brought
about the exposure had gone their respective
ways, but they bad given independence a
genuine sensation.
When the first shock Of the discovery OF
the minister's depravity had worn of, tho
people began TO wonder how be had so sue
c~essfully imposed on them. One or two OF
his best friends dared to express the hope
that it might all prove a telliDle mistake,
but they were laughed at and told that the
proof left no room for doubt.
Mr.. Maury had been gone ten days before
the deacons of his church held a meeting to
discuss the situation. The church was dis
graced. the community shocked, and the
good deacons were justly indignant. Never
again would a young minister be called.
"Oh, it is terrible, terrible" said Deacon
Brown. What a sinner he must be!'
at is over now; leave him to his IDOLS
said Deacon White.
"His wives you meant said Deacon Jones.
The good deacons were in the midst Of a
discussion Of the merits Of several prominent
ministers when there came a rap at the door
The door was opened and the Rev. Arthur
Maury entered, accompanied by a lovely
young lady.
"Oh, Lord deliver usl" groaned Deacon
Jones.
ALLOW me to introduce my wife, Brother
White, Brother Jones, Brother Brown, and
Mr.. Maury bowed to the pillars of his church
without appearing to notice the shock his
entrance had caused.
Another onef' and Deacon Brown rubbed
his eyes IN the vain hope that it was all a
horrible dream.
Brethren, pardon me for the intrusion,
and we will now leave you for the present"
and Mr.. Maury, with wife No. 3, was gone
before the good deacons could utter a word.
There was a hurried consultation and a
committee of three, headed by Deacon
White, called or the minister and aSGently
as possible told him Of tho terrible exposure.
His surprise at the awful situation was genu-
inc. there could be no doubt about that, and
in five minutes the committee was CONVINCED
that he was innocent and tho whole altar
was some dreadful mystery. His visits,
which had first aroused suspicion, were fully
explained. At a little town 100 miles to the
east Of Independence he had visited his be
trothed semi monthly, and the other visits
were to his aged mother and only sister, WHO
resided in the city some 200 miles west. lie
had asked the leave of absence TO wed hls
first and only love and intended his charm
ing bride as a pleasant surprise for his con-
gregation. The committee retired with tho
hope that tho mystery would in some way
be solved.
Next day the good people Of Independence
received another stunning shock. A detec-
tive reached the village in search OF Arthur
Maury, alias Jules Weston, forger, counter
feiter and bigamist. The second shock came
when the detective announced that the man
ho was after, under tho convenient name OF
John Smith, had spent two weeks at tho
hotel, and in the guise of a book agent had
flooded tho village with counterfeit money
The smart rascal had left the village tho
night before the arrival Of his deserted wives.
The mystery was clear at last, and Deacon
Jones declared he had nrver lost faith in bis
beloved pastor.
All this occurred ten years ago. The Rev.
Arthur is still the beloved pastor Of the
church at Independence, but the villagers
never weary telling the story Of Parson
Maury's double. l.. Hawley.