Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-04-04
A WAR ROMANCE.
ONE OF THE STRANGE THINGS
STRIFE MAKES POSSIBLE.
Supposed to be Dead, Holden Lin
gered in a Northern Prison Until
the Close of the War.

Nelson Holden, of Troupe County,
Ca, Joined one of the first regiments
from that State when the war broke out.
He left behind a young wife, having
been married only a few months.
Holden was good soldier, and only
once during the war did he obtain a
furlough and visit his wife. He was at
home for short time in the summer OF
1863, and soon after he returned to the
war he was taken prisoner. Before Hol-
den had an opportunity of writing to
his wife after his capture he was taken
Ill with slow malarial fever. When
captured Holden had become separated
from his company, and his comrades
thought he had been killed in
the battle. Mrs. Holden's first no
tice of the supposed death of her
husband was contained in some res
olutions passed by his company, q
copy of which was forwarded to the
family. Without making any investi-
cation, Mrs. Holden mourned her hus-
band as dead, while he was lingering
between life and death in Northern
prison. 1t was many months before 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 illness aud 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 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 dis
closing his identity, he asked where Mrs.
Holden was. 'f0h, she married Chris.
Jones and moved away last spring., was
the answer he received.
Holden was prostratred by the shock
of this startling intelligence, but, with
out giving his name, he TUNED and
walked slowly away from the little home
where the happiest hours of his life had
been passed. He made no effort to find
his wife, but continued his journey to
Clay county, Alabama. Holden worked
awhile as a farm laborer, and finally saved
enough money to purchase a small farm
of his own. In time the old love was
forgotten and he married again. Holden
prospered and after few years owned
one of the best farms in the county. |
Several children were born and it was
not long until his first marriage seemed |
like a dream. About four years ago |
Mrs. Holden No. 2 died, leaving five
children.
About year after the death of his
wife Mr.. Holden sold portion of his
farm to a man named Jones, from Geor-
gia. Mr.. Jones built a house and
moved his familyto Alabama. Soon the
two farmers became good friends, but
Mr.. Holden had never been to the house
Of his neighbor, and had never seen his
wife.
Less than a year ago Mr.. Jones died.
His neighbor, Mr.. Holden, of course,
the funeral and caused no lit
lie excitement by going off in dead
amt when introduced to the weeping
widow of the dead man. That was not
he time or place for explanations, and
he next day after the funeral Mr.. Hol-
len called ON his former wife, and this
ime the recognition was mutual
Mrs. Jones' period of mourning will
xpire in a few days, and then she will
Ne quietly married again to the hus-
and Of her youth. She has three chill
lren living and Mr.. Holden has five.
)nly a few of their most intimate friends
now the secret of their former marriage
Globe Democrat.