Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-22
A UNIQUE TRADE.
A NEBRASKA FARMER GIVES A
FARM FOR A WIFE
A Story OF Marriage Without Love. Di
sorce and Marriage for Love-A Ro-
mantle Affair, but not Mere
Romance.
Special Correspondence OF the Gazette.

BEATRICE, NEB., Oct. 15.-The details of
one of the most unique trades ever con-
summated in this part of the country have
just come to light through the filing for re-
cord of q deed to a trac tot land in the
western part of the county. The deed is
from Chris Christensen to Nils Jensen. and
conveys eighty acres of farm land 10 the
latter, but the remarkable part of the deed
is the consideration which is given for the
land 1t reads as follows: "For and in
consideration of one woman, to-wit: the
wife of Nils jensen This queer docu-
ment caused an investigation to be made,
and the following romantic story was
learned by the curious newspaper man who
went to the farm of Christensen:
Nine years ago Christensen left Sweden
for this country to make his fortune, and
when he started he left in the old country
q Young woman who was to be his wife as
soon as he became able to send after her.
This girl, Nina Petersen, was the daughter
of a poor, drunken shoemaker who led his
family dogs life and was continually on
the verge of starvation. After Christensen
left Nina expected TO hear from him con-
stantly but no letter ever reached her and
as she had no idea to what part of the
United States he went, she could not write
TO him. Among the young men Of the town
was Jensen, who also looked with loving
eyes upon Nina. but she would have moth
to Chris. As year after year went by with
no word from her absent lover the maid
came to the conclusion that he was recreant
and this idea was fostered as much as pos
sible by Jensen, who at last was successful
in getting Mina's consent TO marry him.
The drunken father also insisted that the
wedding should come off, and more to get
away from such an unhappy home than
through love for Jensen. Nina consented,
and they were married. This was five
years ago. After two years Of hard times
in the old country Jensen determined to try
his fortunes in America, and with his wife
and one child he started for the New World.
After wandering about for some time,
they landed in Nebraska with no money.
Jensen obtained work on farms in different
parts Of the state, but was unable to get
ahead financially. The man and wife
drifted over the state. doing work at such
places as they could get employment, until
at last they reached this city, and about a
month ago they heard that man and
woman were wanted to work on farm in
the western part of the county. Jensen APP
piled for the place. and as chance would
have it the man and woman We're employed
on the farm OF Christensen, but the people
were so changed that no recognition was
had. Something familiar in the woman's
appearance led Christensen to make in
quiries, and he discovered that it was his
lOilS-lOSl lOSc ne SGiu uOtulllS W tituci
Jensen or his wife. but few shrewd ques-
lions showed him that Jensen knew more
about the reason for his letters never reach
ing Nina than the husband was willing to
acknowledge.
One evening he began telling story to
his hired man and wife and recounted the
whole story of his life from
beginning to the present. He told
how Jensen had taken the letters
from the postoftice and destroyed them,
and when he got through the latter was SO
overcome with what he thought was Chris
tensen's knowledge that he confessed his
infamy. The three talked long into the
night about the matter, and before the
morning came it was decided that Jensen
would give up the woman who openly said
that she did not love him, and he agreed to
get divorce and give up his wife and child
if Christensen would give him a start in
tine world. Nina was willing and anxious,
and the result was that the deed to the
eighty acres of land was passed, and the
woman is now living as the wife of Chris
Jensen. A divorce was procured and the
marriage followed on the same evening.
Jensen lives at tine farm until he can build
house, and the whole lot seem happy over