Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-02-12
FAITHFUL 70 THE END.
The Pathetic Tale of a New York Fire
man.
Harry Howard Remained True to
His Sweetheart for Half Cen
tury-She Refused to Marry Him.
Romance in Real Life.

New York, February Hilary
Howard, so long the pride and glory
of the volunteer firemen, bequeathed
everything he had in the world to
Henrietta Mosher, whom he loved for
90 years. He made his will eleven years
ago, and now that he has gone, it re-
mains to attest loyalty and devotion
that could not die. He would have mar
ried this woman, but she, unable to for
give youthful folly of which she
learned, would not take him as hus-
band. So, loving her to the last, he
died single.
II was just so years ago when Harry,
a handsome, smoothfaced fellow OF "A,
already rich in experience as saver
of human life, the idol Of the woman
and the pride of Patterson Company,
fell in love with Henrietta Mosher,
teacher in one of the public schools
and member of one of the nice families
who clustered around the old Stanton
Street Church OF the Epiphany, OF
which Harrys foster mother was
prominent member. She was tall and
dark and good looking, intellectual and
very deyout. and she looked with favor
uDon the suit of the handsome fireman.
Some of his most intimate friends say
that they were engaged to be married.
But there came a blight upon their
romance. Miss MOsher learned some
thing that she could not forgive. FROM
that moment she refused to consider
longer the question of becoming MS
wife. and although he begged ana
pleaded, the woman's conscience raised
an irreparable barrier between them.
In spite of everything he remained her
friend for life, and never ceased attest
ing his friendship, hoping always tnat
she would at last relent and give MIN
her hand in marriage. 49,
He sent her valuable presents, which
she returned. At one time he begged
her TO take all his property of his
hands and let him be her pensloner,
but she would not listen to the propo-
sition. Then one day, noting the tact
that her sister. Matilda, teacher IN
the Henry street school, was owner OF
a home at No. 420 East Fifty first street
in which both sisters live, ne sald ne
did not propose to let Matilda nave
better house than Henrietta. SO he
boneht the adjoining house, No. ~, at
= cost of s9725. and wanted to trans
for the deed to his sweetheart, but she
again refused to accept it. SO the
house has been leased ever since ana
a LII Ctands in the name of Harry How
ard He did succeed, however mis-
friends say. in getting one OF his par
col of lots in South Brooklyn mah" 10y
to Miss MCsher.
In 1884 Mr.. Howard went to his old
friend and Business confident. Hyman
Harris. the Bowery shoemaker, and
said to him: "Hyman, I'm going to
draw my will and leave everything to
Henrietta. I want you to take charge
of it and send it to her"
So the will was duly drawn and exc
cuted and Mr.. Harris sent his son to
deliver it to the woman who was to be
it,s chief beneficiary. But she sent the
how away again, refusing TO receive IL
This was repeated a second time, but
the third time she accepted the docu-
menu ana Is uEl4CNtQ " -A~N' - 1900
in her possession. But she refuses to
saw aye or nay concerning ii, and How
ards intimates assert that they would
not be surprised if she failed ever to
file it for probate.
Harry Towards love for his old
sweetheart was as strong and true the
dav he died as it was half century
ago" said an old friend yesterday
He VS. a wonderful man, considering
HIS obscure birth and bringing up. He
never smoked. or drank a glass OF liquor
He never forgot friend or tried TO
shirk a debt. Every New Years day
he would send some little present to
Miss Mosher. a couple Of pairs Of gloves
or something Of the sort. She would
not accept them as present, but would
nut them on the table at the church
fair. or something of the sort, and then
buy them back and use them"
In an indirect way Harry was able TO
do something for Miss Mosher. He
helped the whole family before the
Board Of Education, where he had in
fiuence. securing a $4,000 position for
her brother. Henry, now dead.