Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-27
HOME AGAIN.
Return of B. S. Collins to
North Arson.
Had Been Missing Five Weeks
Probably Spent Time at Boston.
Mans Wife Accompanied Him Homc-Other
Facts in the Case.

| heart is strangely incomprchensible
thing" and that fact if fact it is, has
| been been illustrated in the culmina-
| ton of the Collins Donley episode that
| stirred this community. some five
weeks ago
| Last evening, ex-County Attorney
Ben S. Collins returned to this village
| accompanied by his wife. who left here
| last Thursday, for some point to the
dear people unknown, although it is
| believed that her destination was Bos-
| ton. 1t is known that Mark Emery
| was called to Boston, last week. to see
| Collins, and it is believed that the lat
| ter has been in that city all of the time
| during his absence from home. The
Journals Watervile representative,
learning that MIR. Collins was at Oak
| land on his way tn this town, boarded
| the "scoot," and saw Mr.. and Mrs. Col
| Inns on the train.
Mr. Collins and wife greeted the re-
porter pleasantly, Mr.. Collins evincing
| a little surprise at the reporters APP
pcarance but that surprise quickly
wore away and the following CONVEX
sation ensued:
Il am glad to see you again, Ben
Have you anything you want to say
| for the press?'
Thank you. | am glad to get home
again. No | don't believe | will say
anything at present for publication
will you say where you have passed
your time during your ABSENCE"
I an ,I,:.
and Collins smiled one of his blandest
smiles.
"Of course you know the matter got
into the papers and we shall be eX
pected to say something III the morn
ing. The people will be waiting for
you to explain any of the peculiar
features of the affair"
Yes, l know that but | guess | will
have nothing To say now. If | con-
clude to make any statement for pub
LEGATION l will let you know"
| Mr.. Collins had evidently mapped
out a plan to pursue with reporters.
and as the journal man knows him
well, being acquainted with his char
acteristic determination in matters, ii
was clearly the fact that no argument
could induce Collins to make any state
ment.
Collins appeared to be enjoying the
best of health. and he was evidently
much pleased that he was returning to
the home which he had left under such
peculiar circumstances. five weeks ago,
Mrs. Collins, really handsome We
man in face and figure. sat with her
husband during the above conversa-
ton and did not seem the least bit i'll
at ease. 1t was evidently nothing new
to her tn be present at an interview by
a newspaper man, for she kept her
eyes moving back and forth at the
questions and answers, watching the
speakers closely.
Most people have prophesied that Mr..
Collins would be back here before
many weeks and that all would be
serene again. OF course the gentler
sex are discussing Mrs. Collins act in
going to her husband ana bringing
him back. but the ladies are not dis
cusSing that matter any more than the
men.
~Ihe men cannot understand why
she has done what she has, but the
women, they who know "A Woman's
heart and to whom that organ is not
49, iiiNtiii ~ tlitilSlbit, tUll uHttISli1U
the motive and reason out the probable
result of the reunion.
In this case it is the man who has
gone aStray and the world always
oNerlooks or forgets in a great meas
ure these diversions from the paths of
virtue. while the same thing in woman
is always held over her head and
through the years of the future she
must bear the full weight of her bur
den Of shame. North Anson people are
of the same kind that make up the
rest of the world and passing lightly
upon the indscretion of Ben S. Col
Inns and in "A short time he will be do
ing business again at the old stand and
trying to retrieve his lost fortunes.
The people would be glad to know
that Collins has not surrendered his
property to any scheme that NAV have
been deliberately planned to rob him
by piackmail as many believe to be the
real cause of his going away. He has
yet to explain. however, the alleged
Appropriation to his own use the funds
OF the old gentleman Haggart of Nor
ridgewock
IL is expected by his friends that he
mas enough in real estate TO make
good all that he owes and it cannot he
clearly proven that Haggarts money
was used for any other purpose than
was specified at the time if was bor-
rowed, or that there was any intention
OF getting the money for the purnoso
OF defrauding Mr.. Haggart. If if can
be SHOWN that Collins has propcrtv
enough to pay all his debts Hargart
mas no action against the former
Now the question comes IN mat may,
be OF interest to Journal readers and |
that is who is county attorney M |
Collins has never been removed fro,,, |
ONCE although the vacancy which an
peared to be through the sensational
disappearance of Mr.. Collins, has been |
hi.ed by Governor Cleaves in tho |
appointment of c. o. Small Eso |
OF Madison. who is the Renuh- |
llcan nominee for election To tba |
once in September. There is no owl |
dence OF the intention on the mart Of |
the talk of the town that he had
MI Collins to remain away. Itwa on1v |
written his wife that he was going |