Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1892-01-07

The circumstances am about to re
late occurred fully fifty years ago, bur
rise before me as freshly and wildly a.
then.
When, after the peace of II was con
cluded, my husband and | shared the
almost universal fureur and went tc
France. There, however, our wander
ings ceased for time. for, when we ar
rived at the picturesque old town of d..
we were agreeably surprised TO find
some old friends there.
Our house was in C'.1tral situation
as regarded those of riends.
v NV husband was fOnu of society.
am still, | must own, though too old to
enter into its spirit as formerly. Our
house was always open to our friends,
but we were especially glad to see them
of an evening.
OF all our acquaintance the person ]
was most drawn to was a Mrs. Norris,
very pretty young woman, light
hearted and always cheerful. All the
most severe critic could blame her for
was, perhaps, an extreme love of amuse-
ment. She was my constant guest,
Her husband was in the army, and, at
the time | speak of, was quartered in
give herofOur childrenTa better educa-
ton then their limited means could
procure in England
Capt. Norris had only just left ID. to
join his regiment, and had expressed
his wish | would look after" his wife
and assist her with advice or in any way
that might be necessary.
OF all the Norris children Louisa was
har fafh 90 70 hnr
almost disliked her
l used to think Mrs. Norris was severe
to Louisa because she feared her being
spoiled by her fathers influence. |
afterward found that the mothers
harshness caused the fathers favor
One evening our small circle had as
sembled as usual at our house, and dis
persed about O'clock, Mrs. Norris be-
ing the first to leave. When my hus-
band and | were alone we chatted over
the little incidents and gossips of the
evening. At last | took my candle and
went to my room, front one. had
undresSed when heard noise at the
window like hail rafting against it.
Knowing that the night had been very
fine, | drew back the curtain in sur
prise and saw Mrs. Norris standing on
the path.
The servants had long gone to bed,
so | hurriedly threw my dressing wrap
per round me and ran down stairs.
When had opened the hall door be-
fore had time to ask Il question, Mrs.
Norris exclaimed:
"Oh! fear something dreadful has
happened to Charles
'Why do you think so; said; have
you heard anything of him?"
NO" she answered.: Il have not heard
of or from him lately; yet, as you
know, ] was not uneasy about him, and
was quite happy and cheerful with you
this evening. ] left you early to go to
my children; they were all asleep;
went to bed directly, but in about ten
minutes after, by the light of the night
lamp, ! saw my husband standing by
my bedside; he had fearful cash in
his throat from which the blood was
pouring. He spoke TO me and said:
Farewell! BE kind to poor Lou!'
''ln moment he disappeared. When
could collect my thoughts ] dressed
and came to you, my dear friend, to tell
! you that fear something dreadful has
happened to my husband, and must 20
| to him. VIII you look after my chill
dren till my return?'
Travelling in those days was most
disagreeable process therefore tried
to persuade Mrs. Norris that she had
only dreamed of her husband.
saw it was useless trying to dissuad
her, so | now hurriedly dressed, and
helped her preparations for departure,
promising 10 be "A mother to her chill
drcn in her absence
She Travelled by post to the nearest
port, thence sailed to England, and pro-
ceeded Immediately to her husbands
quarters in Ireland
She was the only inside passenger by
the coach, and to beguile her sad
thoughts bought newspaper at the
first town where they stopped tochange