The herald., 1896-01-17
CONJUGAL CONFLICT CLOSED
An ElOping MatrOn Quietly Fol.
lowed by Her Husband
HER FEARFUL PLEADINGS
Denouement of a Passing Fancy Which
Was But Brief
Benedict Appeased by Gold Cash-A Very
Cold-Biooded Interview - The
Lovers Flight

Early in the spring of 1895, Adam Nord-
hoff, a very prosperous farmer of Antelope
county, Neh., needing some additional
help, hired Dane named Olsen to assist
him in the running of his place. Olsen is a
broad-shouldered, muscular man of about
26 years of age, is familiar with all kinds
of agricultural work, good looking, can
play the violin, and has rich baritone
voice which charmed not only the neigh
bors in that sparsely settled country, but
the buxom wife of his employer to her ruin.
Nordhoff and Olsen became 80 friendly
that the ordinary relations existing between
employer and employed did not obtain.
Olsen was treated as a brother by Nord-
hoff, and his wife was more than sister to
him.
Nordhoff's farm was clear of all incum-
brances; he had money in handsome
$450O-and consequently was able to add
to his income by making small cash loans
to his neighbors. Just before harvest
while experimenting and working at the
cleaning of his reapers and binders and
otherwise preparing for getting in his crop,
he hurt himself in his barn by attempting
to lift, with Olsen's aid, a heavy piece of
machinery. 1t is alleged that at a critical
moment Olsen partially let go of his end,
thus causing the injury to Nordhoff, who
was confined to his bed for many weeks.
During this time Olsen managed every
thing, was unremitting in his attention to
his patron, and one day told him that, as
in all probability his injury would disable
him for life, it would be well that Nordhoff
should transfer his farm and money and
credits to his wife. This Nordhoff did.
Mrs. Nordhoff was soon recognized as the
owner Of all, and her checks were honored
nv ha n 1IrS vryhnr tAI ~,
chants. The crop was unusually ood last
season, and the top market price was OBJ
tained for corn before the bottom fell out
of the market for this cereal. The other
crops and the success of his farm helped
Nordhoff SO much that after harvest and
the sale Of it, he proposed visit to some
friends in Minnesota. His wife encour-
eyed him to take the trip, and he was
given by her ample money for his needs.
After his departure it occurred to Mrs.
NordhoH that a little jaunt would do her
good, ii Olsen was her guide, and that it
might be prolonged indefinitely. Under
the circumstances, her story of being called
to her husbands bedside in distant city,
and that she had concluded to leave the
place, was believed. The farm was sold,
together with the stock and implements,
the money in bank was withdrawn, and
Mrs. Nordhof departed alone. The couple
have no children. Olsen found work ard
kept at it for some weeks, when he said he
had to go back to Denmark. and left, os-
tensibly for that country. Meanwhile,
Nordhof gradually became anxious at the
cessation of letters from his wife, wrote
home and learned the story. 1t nearly
upset his reason when he heard it.
After much patient search, without any
help of detectives or, indeed, making the
matter one of notoriety, he got on the right
trail, and early yesterday morning when
the long-wished for rain was generously
falling and the streets were deserted, it
was nearly a: M. he made a call on the
couple, his wife and the man Olsen. who
were found lodging in an apartment house
on Spring street.
Nordhof behaved admirably, there was
no noise, no upbraidings. The wife wept
profusely, and begged for restoration to
favor. the burly Dane taking an early op-
portunity to get away. The injured hus-
band suggested that the best proof of peni-
tence was his wife's REIMBURSEMENT oi the
property and money appropriated. This
was done, and Nordhoff is now on his way
to ST PauI