The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-01
they WAITED
YEARS TO WE'D.
Then Death Stepped In and
Robbed Ranka Of wife.
WERE ENGAGED FOR 43 YEARS.
IA Romance That BelitiIes the Court
ship Of Jacob and Rachel.
PATIENT LOVER WAS NOT REWARDED.
Death Came When Wedding Day Was Set
and Now, Wlfsless, Charles Ranks
StutiIsd OF This Mortal Coll
PATIENT LOVER WAS NOT REWARDED.

Crunnels Hollow, NY. Aug. Miss
Harriet Henley died on June % Charles
Ranke died on sunday. These two had
been engaged to be married for forty
three years, and they died just when
their matrimoulal hopes were about to be
realized.
Compared with these two lovers. Jacob
and Rachel were headlong enthusiasts
and their little wait OF fourteen years
merely breathing spell.
1t was in 1857 when Ranke was a young
man OF twenty-six and Miss Henley girl
of twenty that they frst loved and pledged
themselves to each other. They lived with
their parents, who were neighbors, In Al
toona, Pa, and prosperous in business.
Ranke was first soldier to enlist from
his town when lne civil war broke out. He
marched away proudly after the manner
of soldier lovers, with his sweetheart'S
declaration of constancy fresh In his ears.
"I'll be true to you always, she said.
Four years later ne marched home again.
having made brave record. Then ne
learned that his sweethearts father had
lost his property and had gone to live
at Crunnels i.ollow. country settlement
four miles rom Geneva, where the Hen
leys had purchased a farm.
Young Ranke followed them and asked
his berothed to marry him at once. The
girl, assuring him OF her affection, begged
him to wait. curing the years OF his abb
sence two of her married sisters had died.
each leaving little child
Her mother had been dead for years.
and she was needed TO care for her ia
ther and the young children Ranke
bought the farm adjoining and settled
there, saying: IF l cannot live with you
I.will live near you, and see that you are
always protected" .''-.--t
Not once for thirty-three years did the
man attempt to urge his suit but he as
sisted the Henleys in every way possible
as neighbor, and when old Mr.. Henley
in his advancing years grew childish and
incapable he advised the daughter In the
care of the farm and the business.
When the old man died In December,
1898, Ranke spoke again to his betrothed
of their marriage, and. TINS time his
wishes were seconded by Miss Henley's
nieces and nephews, now grown to ma
turity. k
Then she fixed the time for their we'd
ding for February. 1899, when the year OF
mourning for her father should have ex-
pired.
Ranke, though nearly seventy years
old. grew young again. and spent the
year in improving his estate and renovat-
ing his house for the reception Of his
bride And Harriet arranged her trous-
seau with as much pride as II she were
only twenty. 'sse.+
She had always been In robust health,
her long life having been singularly free
from illness, but I'm January last. fort
night before her wedding. she grew Ill
and weak. gradually becoming worse un-
til her death month ago.
1t was then that the faithful. patient
heart of her lover found IL could endure
no more. and directly after the funeral
he became Ill., declining quickly until his
death on Sunday last. He had no or
ganic disease His will shows that he
had left all his large estate and s23.0 900 to
Miss Henley.