The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-07
A War Romance.
Written for the Griffin Morning Call

Written for the Griffin Morning Call.
Nelson Holden, of Troup county, Georgia,
joined the first regiment from the state
when the war broke out. He left behind a
young and very beautiful wife, having been
married only few months. Holden was a
good soldier, and only once during the war
did he obtain a furlough and visit his wife.
He was at home for short time during 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 a slow, malarial fever. When cap
tured, Holden had become separated from
his company, and his comrades thought he
had been killed in battle.
Mrs Holden's first notice Of the supposed
death of her husband was contained in
some resolutions passed by his company, a
CODY 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 a northern prison. IL 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 long
illness and penniless, he started to make
his way to the little home in Georgia. He
was compelled 10 seek employment several
times 10 earn money TO continue his Jour
ney, and 1t was late in the autumn of 1865
when Holden came in sight of his little
home. He was a wreck of his former self,
and fully realized that 10 would be difficult
for his own wife TO recognize him. Arriving
at the home he had left more than two
years before, Holden found IL occupied by
strangers. Without disclosing his identity
ne asked where Mrs. Holden was.
80, she married Chris Jones and moved
away last spring" was the answer re-
ceived.
Holden was Frustrated by the shock of
this startling intelligence, but, without
giving his name, he turned and walked
slowly away from tho little home where
the happiest hours Of his life had been
passed.
continued his journey 10 Clay county, Ala
bama.
Holden worked while as a farm laborer,
and finally saved enough money 70 pur-
chase 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 il 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
a portion Of his farm TO q man named
Jones from Georgia Mr. Jones built a
house and moved his family 10 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 neigh Dor, Mr. Holden, OF course at
tended the funeral, and caused no little ex-
citement by going OF in a dead faint when
introduced 10 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 mu-
tual.
Mrs. Jones' period OF mourning will ex-
pire in a few days, and then she will DO
quietly married again TO the husband OF her
youth She is Sill beautiful woman. and
has three children living and Mr. Holden
has FIVE. Only few Of their most init
mate friends know the secret Of their for.
mer marriage.