The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-10-17
A Georgia Story.

Here is an "Enoch Arden" story with
some variations, the scene being laid In
Georgia. The Griffin Call says that Nell
son Holden, of Troup county, Georgia,
Joined the first regiment from the State
when the war broke out, leaving behind
young and very beautiful wife, having
been married only few months. Hol'
den was a good soldier, and only once
during the war did he obtain furlough
and visit his wife. He was at home for
short time during the sum mer of 1868,
and soon after he returned to the war ne
was taken prisoner. Before Holden had
an opportunity of writing to his wife
after his capture ne was taken i'll with
slow malarial fever. When captured
Holden had become separated from his
company and his comrades thought he
had been killed in battle.
Mrs. Holden's first notice Of the sup
posed death of her husband was contain
ed 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 before he fully recov-
cred 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 his
little home. He was wreck OF his for.
mer self, and fully realized that 1t would
be difficult for his own wife to recognize
him. Arriving at the home he had lett
more than two years before, Holden
found it occupied by strangers. Without
disclosing his identity be asked where
Mrs. Holden was.
HOh. she married Chris Jones and
moved away last spring." was the answer
received.
Holden was prostrated by the shock OF
this startling intelligence, but without
giving his name he turned and walked
Slowly away from the little home where
the happiest hours Of his life had been
| passed.
BE made no effort to find his wife, but
continued his journey to Clay county,
Alabama.
Holden worked awhile as farm
laborer, and finally saved enough money
to purchase small farm of his own. =.
time the old love was forgotten eAd he
married again.
Holden prospered, ana a.ler few
wears owned one of the best farms in the
county. Several children were born, and
it was not long until his first marriage
| seemed like dream.
About four years ago Mrs. Holden No.
2 died, leaving five children. About q
wear after the death of his wife Mr.. Hol-
den sold a portion of his farm to a man
named Jones, from Georgia. Mr.. Jones
built house and moved his family to
| 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 year ago Mr.. Jones died.
His neighbor, Mr.. Holden, of course
attended the funeral and caused no little
excitement by going off in 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
recognition was mutual. 80,
Mrs Jones's period of mourning will
expire III ! few days and then she will be
quietly married again to ohusband of
her youth. She is still beautiful Wo,
man, and has three children living and
Mr.. Holden has five. Only few OF their
most intimate friends know the secret OF
their former marriage.