Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-06-08
HARD TO BELIEVE

words of wife and mother residing in
n poor tenement house in that part of
the city where New York stores away
the poor, the destitute and the friend
less.
A dim light from an old lamp with
out a chimney was just sufficient to
render darkness visible, and the air OF
the little hovel was so filled with smoke
that it was wholly untitled for inhal-
ing. At last Mr.. Brown was dressed
and, descending the rickety stairway,
found himself in the open air. The
night was stormy, and the snow fell in
binding sheets upon his dark and
gloomy pathway. AS he turned into
Broadway he was seized by four
masked men and hurried off to the Bat
terry, where he was forced into a small
boat and carried out to a large one ly
ing at anchor In the harbor. Once on
board, he was stored away in the lower
part of the vessel and not permitted to
see any one for ten days.
At the end of that time he was al
lowed the liberty of the vessel, but was
not permitted to converse with any of
the crew. He was out on the broad
ocean and knew not where he was or
whittier he was going. For three years
he was practically prisoner, but at
last was able to escape, when he found
himself in South America without
friends and without money. He sought
employment, but those to whom he ap-
piled for work We're not disposed to
help man who seemed so shabbily at
tired. But at last he was successful in
getting very subordinate position in
large mining company, where his
fidelity was recognized and rewarded
until at last he became the recipient of
the highest wages paid to any en-
ployee.
At the end of ten years he had saved
up enough to return to his family, but
when his intention was made known
the company, wishing to retain his
services, offered him an interest in the
business, and he became one of the CO.
partners and as such was intrusted
with the entire management of the af-
fairs of the company. This position he
held for sixteen years, when, having
amassed an immense fortune, he con-
cluded to dispose of his interest and re-
turn to the United States and If possi-
BILE once more join his wife and chill
dren if they were still living and could
be found.
On his arrival in New York he went
to his old home, which he found occu-
pied by another who had never heard
of Mrs. Brown. Every day for weeks
he wandered over that great city, max
ing inquiries about his lost family
without gaining any information in
regard to them. AT last he made up his
mind to return to his hotel and give
up the search but on his way he met
an old acquaintance, from whom he
learned of their trials and sufferings
since he had last seen them. The child
that was so sick when he left home
died on the following day Of malignant
scarlet fever, and three days thereafter
the other child died of the same dis
ease.
Mrs. Brown was thus left without
husband or child and thrown entirely
upon her own resources to support her
self. By hard work over the washtub
and by occasional sewing for the
neighbors she managed to keep the
wolf from the door For years every
knock at the door or footstep on the
sidewalk she believed was made by
her long absent husband. At last she
was forced to believe that he was dead
and mourned only as widow can
mourn the death of her husband and
protector.
AT the end of ten years she married
a man of the name of French-H. S.
French-who was himself poor In
worldly goods, but rich In energy and
industry. He was Il sober, reliable man
and could always find employment.
This marriage was blessed in the birth
of three bright, intelligent children.
The directory was consulted, and a
party of the name Of II. s. French was
found to reside on an obscure street in
a secluded part of that great metropo-
lis, and he hastened to the humble
abode of her he had promised to love
and protect. On entering there was
mutual recognition.
Matters were fully discussed, and all
the parties realized the fact that the
second marriage was Illegal and void.
What could be done in the premisesi
Mr.. Brown held the key to the position,
and he proposed that his wife should
secure a divorce from him on the
ground of abandonment and failure to
support her, and when the decree was
obtained she and Mr.. French could be
married again according to the forms
of law.
Legal steps were taken at once, and
In due time the divorce was granted
and the day agreed upon for the sec
ond marriage, which was to be wit
messed by Mr.. Brown. AS soon as. the
man of God pronounced the parties
husband and wife Mr.. Brown ad
vanced and presented to Mrs. Mary
| French a deed to a furnished house
| and lot in q fashionable portion of the