Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-25

entire community Regarding the domes-
tic life of the Collins household il may bo
we'll TO say that there has been jar IN
the past before the institution of divorce
proceedings by Mr.. Collins last winter
Mrs. Collins. ii is said by those who know
her best. to be a very fine woman. with q
sunny temperament and a loving dispose
ton. While her husband was the party
who brought action for divorce last win
ter. her friends say she was never guilty
OF any of the allegations named in the
libel. that Collins had become infatuated
with Miss Donley and so grew tired OF
the bonds which bound him TO another.
AS indicated in the Journal of Wednes-
day morning. friends interceeded on the
very day the case was TO be heard and
man and wife We're brought together
again. none working harder to bring this
result about than did Augustine Sim
monds Esq. Collins counsel in the di-
vorce proceedings. People here are Will
ing to accept the story that Cora has
clipped with Collins but will never accept
the bare suggestion that she has even
been criminally intimate with Collins
Those who Were near and dear to Cora,
her childhood associates and firm friends
of he,. Young Womanhood will deny to the
last that she has fallen from womanly
virtue other than to give her love to one
who belongs to another Cora was
romantic but never indiscreet in action
or word and the women OF the town VINO
know best Woman's heart and what Il
W oman'S love may lead her to do. believe
that Collins truly loves the young woman
ana mat ner NE Is DOuilu up III Uliil
Men, the hard-minded men of the world
feel toward Collins considerable bitter
ness. one well known citizen said to the
journal today: Il guess it IS a case OF
true love all right but people here would
have thought much more of Ben had ne
said to his wife, I don't love YOU | don't
want to live with you and won't then 10
have left her but remained here at home
and about his business until such time
as one or the other of them could nave
been legally separated. | can't say that
blame Cora much, she is young. roman
tie and inexperienced and besides all TINS
she has got a womans heart and al
though | am married man myself n
woman's heart to me is a strangely in
compreh cnsible thing. / cannot. will not
believe that she has done anything worse
free
The above is published .or the benefit OF
those who have been rather hasty in
their deduction as is usually the case in
matters of this kind.
There appears no anxiety on the part
OF any of Mr. Collins creditors, his bust
ness is all right in every way. 1t IS be-
lieved that he did not hold dollar or the
towns money. His wealth is Varlousiy
estimated at between $4,000 and s3ooo
Mrs. Collins and her children are amply
provided for through the settlement made
upon her by her husband at the time OF
settlement of the divorce proceedings
which was in the aggregate $l4W00. Mrs.
Collins deeply feels her position and she
is sympathzed by her host OF friends. IL
is now believed that no effort Will be
made to locate Collins. that things will be
allowed to shape themselves and the
usually quiet community will in day or
two drift back into its old condition
socially.