The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1911-11-10
AN EPISODE OF
WARTIME DAYS
Treachery Fails to Separate
Husband and Wife.

Richmond Is plantation manor house
that was built in 1860. About the mid
die of the last century the owner Of
the estate was a widow. Mrs. Mar
garet Richie, who had splendid twin
daughters, Barbara and Elizabeth.
Mrs. Richie was very wealthy and
very ambitious. She took her daugh-
tiers to Europe with view to their
marrying noblemen. A German baron
proposed for Barbara and was accept
ed by the mother. who did not consult
her daughter In the matter. intending,
IL necessary. to enforce obedience. The
mother did not know that Barbara had
a love affair with lieutenant In the
United States army, Theodore Benton.
q fine young fellow. but without q cent
In the world except his pay.
On her return home Barbara met
Lieutenant Benton at one Of the houses
facing the capitol over which soon was
to float the Confederate Tag. Already
there were mutterings Of the great
struggle to oome. Benton was north
ern man. and both knew that this
would be an additional reason why
Mrs. Richie would never consent to
their marriage. Barbara told her lover
of the contract her mother had entered
into In her behalf abroad. Benton
out her mot Tiers consent. but she dared
not. Soon after. while BENTON and Bar
bara were still in Richmond. came the
news Of the firing on Fort Sumter.
Benton FASTENED to tind Barbara. told
her that he must ut once make his way
north and again urged her to marry
him. She consented. Il clergyman was
called. and the two were made man
and wife. Benton reached Washington
safely. Barbara went home to her
mother and broke the news Of her mar
rage
The next summer those at the Richie
plantation listened every day for
week to the distant boom of cannon in
the battles about Richmond. Then the
sounds. like a storm that had come.
ronred from the top of Malvern hill.
but short distance away. Evening
had come and with it only the crack
ing Of rifles on the picket line when a
young officer rode up to the plantation.
himself as Lieutenant Theo-
dore BENTON and. upon being told that
the family were there. demanded to
see his wife.
Mrs. Richie came into the rawing
room and received him with a naughty
manner by no means softened by the
fact that he was an invader Of her
state and her plantation. She told him
that Barbara was Ill and that she did
not wish to see him. When the war
ended she would apply for an annul-
ment of the marriage. Benton fatty
to believe the statement. Since
be was with an army Mrs. Richie
could not have him elected. She there
upon resorted to strategy.
IF my daughter comes into this
room and confirms what / have said
will you believe her?'
II will"
Half an hour later a young girl stood !,
upon the threshold. pale apparently
with illness. Benton. seeing what ap-
peared to be the shadow of his wife, !
stepped forward. The girl motioned !
him back i
Theodore" she said. IT did wrong
n marrying You without my mothers
Go away. wish never to
zee you again." ]
Benton staggered from the house,
mounted his horse and rode away.
Two years later Grant laid pom
Don bridge across the James. advanc-
d to Petersburg and besieged the
'lace During the passage of the
Union troops across the river an Off.
er rode up to the Richie plantation
nd without dismonnting handed a
egro note addressed to Mrs. Theo-
ore Benton. 1t read:
Are you Of the same mind as in tho
ummer Of 1862? II SO. l Will go away.
nd when you wish an annulment OF our
,arrtage ! will not oppose It.
THEODORE.
In a few minutes Barbara appeared
t the door and between hysterical
ears and laughter held out her arms.
'enton sprang from his horse to her
The 6rst piece Of news the husband
was that Mrs. Richie had
led: the second was an explanation |
the pronunciation which had oc.
lrred when Benton had been there
efore. Mrs. Richie was a woman
'ho when her mind was made up
'ould stop at no means which she re-
arded legitimate to accomplish her c
oject. She considered that her daugb. q
r had been stolen from her There
re she had right to repossess her. $
III OF her own property. She would a
of lie She had asked Benton. "If r
y daughter comes into this room and b
'nhrms what ! have snid. will you I
'lieve herr" Then she ordered Eliza. t
'th to personate her sister. Elizabeth. t
ithout strength Of character to resist 9
r mother. had done as she was told. t
arbara on the arrival Of her husband
Atpn1 L. |