The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-11
Love MADE
Her A
RECLUSE
Woman In Jacksonville, Fla,
Has Mourned Soldier Sweet
heart for Forty Years.

Jacksonville, Fla, Oct. if.-rh. s,o-,
Oh 'ne lie Of Miss Nina Kessinger. an
aged maiden lady, who lives on a farm
near this city, is quickly told: but n is
interesting. inasmuch as IL shows the
streneth OF woman's devotion and un-
iolds romantic story OF love and war
Although Miss Kessineer has lived al
her life Of 50 years upon little farm less
'nsn one mile from this city and has al
ways had full control Of all her faculties
she mas not been within the cornorats
= q o1 1lacksonXtlle for over rs years
she does her daily duties about her "a,
tie farm, and always has a cordisI NE,
come for the many curious sigh,
from town, but she persistentlv refuses
10 go INTO the city. which has now grown
out or all semblancs To the strugsling
ago N' NeNaues
During all this time she has never besn
over 100 Yards from the boundary line
she leaves IL at all
IN 1850 when Miss Kessinger was in her
isth year, a young man, son OF a neigh
pofihg farmer. fell in love with her snd
ms aHecuons were reciprocated by Miss
MESSENGER The parents OF the young
iauy, however, strenuously objected.
Mhen war was declared this young man
IaIied 10 The support OF the flag, and In
1891 John Trehearne left the country 10
JON his fortunes with many other eai.
lant soldier BOYS
The regiment left for the front the newt
morning. amid the cheers OF the admir-
ing friends Of the brave soldier bovs ana
tne hapiest man in the regiment was John
renesrne. who carried with him his
sWeetnearts promise 20 marry him upon
MS return from the front with the honors
Of war
one day Miss Kessinger received a lat
Ier which made her heart leap 10 her
Lnroat and remain there as n were-a |
ump loo large 10 swallow. Her lover |
wrote TO her few short lines apprising |
Ter OF his wounds, from which the doc |
oFs gave little hope that he would re- |
over. To he sure that IL would never /
all into unfriendly hands. he returned 1
ne small testament she had given him
before he left and also sent back one
lali OF the lock of her hair which he had /
worn next his heart during all the time
ie had been apart from her
As proof that he had worn II near his
lear,, ne called attention 90 the stains
which his hfe's blood had left unon the
lark brown hair as the vital fluid rushed |
rom his breast. which had been torn hx, 4
rebei bullet while ne was IN the from, /
u charging column. She wrote an inn |
Mediate reply and announced TO him her
Intention Of rebeling against her parents
VII, saving she would start for his bed
ide the Monday morning following.
Before she left town In the evening an
ther mail arrived, and Miss KessInrer
eceived short note from the nurse saw
~ that with his dying breath her lover
ad ssAed her 10 inform HIS sweetheart
! his death. and 10 assure her that he
led true TO his vows and with her be-
wed name on his lips
The body OF the dead soldier arrived
ithin few days. and Miss Kessinger
TENDED the funeral in deep mourning
arb.
Her parents relented and did all I'm their
'wer 10 lessen the great mental suffer
8 OF the distracted girl, but Miss Kes
niger never recovered from the shock
from that day to this she has never
zen within the corporate limits OF Jack
m, and has never been more than 100
'rds from the farm which is now her
WI. Neither has she ever received atten-
'ns from any other man. preferrine
ring all these years TO remain true to |
r soldier lover. who left 40 wears ago
TN lovers vow 10 love none other un-
life shall be no more.