Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-08
A WAR ROMANCE,
Another Instance Of the Strange Things
Civil War Makes Possible,

Brming ham, Ala Special to St. Louis Globe Democrat
Nelson Holden, Of Troupe county, Georgia
Joined one Of the 6rstregiments from that state
when the war broke out. He left behind a
young wife, having been married only a few
months. Holden was a good soldier, and only
once during the war did he obtain q furlough
and visit his wife. He was at home for O short
time in the summer of 1868, and soon after he
returned to the war he was taken prisoner.
Before Holden had an opportunity of writing
to his wife after his capture, he was taken i'll
with slow malarial fever. When captured
Holden had become separated from his com.
pany, and his comrades thought he had
been killed in the battle. Mrs. Holden's frs,
notice Of the supposed death of her husband
was contained in some resolutions passed by
his company, copy Of which was forwarded to
the family. Without making any investigation,
Mrs. Holden mourned her husband as dead,
while he was lingering between life and death
in northern prison. 1t was many months be-
fore he fully recovered from the effects of the
terrible fever. Holden was not released until
after the close OF the war, and weak from his
long illness and penniless, he started to make
his way TO the little home in Georgia. He was
compelled to seek employment several times to
earn money to continue his journey, and it was
late in the autumn of 1865 when Holden came in
sight OF the little home. He was a wreck of his
former self, and fully realized that it would be
difficult for his own wife to recognize him.
Arriving at the home he had left more than
two years before, Holden found it occupied by
strangers. Without disclosing his identity he
asked where Mrs. Holden was. "Oh, she
married Chris Jones and moved away last
spring" was the answer he received.
Holden was prosterated by the shock of this
startling intelligence, but without giving his
name, he turned and walked slowly away from
the little hnuna WHARF tho he l.,
life had been passed. he made no effort to
find his wife, but continued his journey to Clay
county, Alabama. Holden worked awhile as q
farm laborer, and finally saved enough money
to purchase q small farm of his own. In time
the old love was forgotten and he married
years owned one Of the best farms in the
country. Several children were born, and it
was not long until his first marriage seemed
like dream. About four years ago Mrs Hob
den No. 2 died, leaving Eve children.
About year after the death of his wife Mr.
Jones from Georgia. Mr.. Jones built house
and moved his family to Alabama. Soon the
two farmers became good friends, but Mr.. Hol-
den had never been to the house Of his neigh
Dor. and had never seen his wife.
Less than year ago Mr.. Jones died. His
neighbor, Mr.. Holden, Of course attended the
funeral, and caused no little excitement by GO
ing of into dead faint when introduced to
the weeping widow Of the dead man. That was
not the time or place for explanations, and the
next day after the funeral Mr.. Holden called
on his former wife, and this time the recoRni-
ton was mutual
Mrs. Jones' period Of mourning win expire
In . few days, and then she will be quietly mar
ried again to the husband Of her youth. She
has three children living and Mr.. Holden has
I'VE. Only few Of their most intimate friends
know the secret Of their former marriage.