The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-04-13
A Strange Story.


racher in Kern county in 1878. He
was then about 90 years old and pos
sessed herd Of cattle and about
| FIVE thousand acres of land. A
young lady, the daughter of a wealthy
merchant in Bakersfield. was one day
led to the altar by the young gentle
man and returned with him to his
ranch as Mrs. Long.
The young people were as happy
as married people in the books are
alleged to be, and everything looked
bright for the future Of their cozy
home in the foothills. Life, always
bright for the young, was particular
ly rosy tinted to Mr.. and Mrs. Long.
Suddenly dark pail was thrown
over the life OF Maurice, for his
young wife sickened and died. The
remains now lie in Bakersfield Gene
terry by the side Of the mother she
lost in childhood.
Life lost all it's hopes to Mr.. Long
when his beautiful wife was taken.
He could not endure the loneliness
of his ranch life, and, finding pur-
chaser, sold everything, determined
to leave California and cut himself
loose from all tender memories OF
young manhood Remaining for
brief period at the house of his faith
er-in-law, he shortly went to the
home Of his parents, in the Santa
Clara Valley, near San Jose. Una
BILE to shake off his grief he sank
into melancholy, from which his
friends thought he would never re-
cover. BY persistent efforts and the
care OF a judicious physician, the
young man partially was restored but
the condition of his mind was still
uncertain. AT times the unsteadi-
ness of his reason manifested itself
in foolish imbeciliy. Apparently
he recovered, however, and went to
Chico and located in that little city,
opening feed and sale stable. Bus
mess prospered and encouraging re-
ports came to the Santa Clara home
in the occasional letters received by
the parents.
Finally one came announcing his
marriage to young lady Of that
city. Scarcely a year had passed
since the death Of his wife on the
Kern county ranch, and, although
his friends were surprised at the an
nouncement, remembering his fond
ness for her and his grief at her de-
cease, they strangely enough regard
ed the second marriage as further
evidence of restored reason. Six
months more passed, during which
all reports and single visit salts
fed his anxious friends that Mr..
Long was in perfect mental and ply
steal health. One day a painful tel
egram from his wife, announcing the
sudden wreck Of his sons reason
was received by old Mr.. Long at San
Jose. Going in answer to the mes
sage to Chico, the terrible truth, the
calamity forced itself upon him, for
his son was raving maniac.
With heavy heart the father
conveyed Maurice Long to Stockton
and placed him in an insane hospi-
tai. The examining physician pro-
nounced him hopelessly insane. The
young wife returned to her parents.
A few months later she gave birth
TO child. When she had grown
strong she visited her husband at
the asylum in the vain hope Of
sign of recognition or an evidence of
affection. A brother remained at
Chico, conducting the business.
Visits were made from time to time
by the friends of the unfortunate pa
tient, but they Away returned more
saddened at his condition.
Two years were passed in Stock
ton, when the joyful intelligence was
received by old Mr.. Long that his
son was in fair way to recover. 1t
was almost too good to believe.
Careful nursing for six weeks fol-
lowed, and the physician sent word
that the wife and friends might visit
him, but with this statement came
the startling intelligence that Mau-
rice Long had absolutely forgotten
all events that had transpired since
the Sale of his ranch after the burial
of his wife at Bakersfield. Think
ing her presence would restore her
to his memory, the faithful little
mother at Chico went to the hospi-
tai, carrying with her the boy, now
nearly two years old. The reader can
imagine her terrible grief when she
saw before her the face Of her hus-
band and beheld in it all the evil
dence Of restored intellect, but no
recognition of his spouse. Vainly
she recalled the events oftheir court
ship and marriage, and despairingly
she held before him the chubbed-
faced baby. The poor man hung his
head in despair, unable to remember
anything that she sought to know.
The death Of her husband would
have been easy to bear in compari-
son with the terrible fact which here
confronted her. Almost wild with
grief she returned to her home in
Chico. Six weeks longer the poor
man stayed at Stockton, gaining
strength. The little woman came
no more to see him. The father,
brother and the physician by degrees
convincing him of the truth of the
story of his marriage and the birth
of his son. When he was released
he repaired to Chico and accepted
the situation as truth established
in his mind by testimony but not
experience. He took his wife and
child, and selling his business re-
moved to Goleta. Association with
l