Year: 1877

III East tennessee, prior 10 the break
ing out of the late civil war, there
lived a young husband surrounded with
all the pleasures of a happy family aud
the comforts Of this life. At the first
call to arms he bid adieu to his young
wife and only child and went to battle
In the winter of 1864, being broken
down and unfit for the service, he re-
ceived his discharge and, hastened home
to greet his wife and child. whom he
had not sean during his term Of service
His home pleasures, however. were of
but short duration, for soon afeer his ar
rival he was arrested for disloyalty
and banished across the Ohio river. Ar
riving at Atlanta. he went to work in
dustriOusly. But he was not permitted
to cherish his anticipated pleasure long,
for while toiling among newly made
friends | Q received the sad intelligence
that his wife and child had sickened
and died. This WAS reliable, as he
thought, and he became sad and de-
spondent. No longer could he toll and
labor for them, and with detected
spirit he became a wanderer. After
five years of wandering in the far West.
amid the wild scenes of frontier life, he
turned his steps back to the States. and
on locating not far distant from Nash
vile he met poor but lovely widow.
with her only child. a daughter, scarce
ly ten years old A new era seemed to
dawn upon his future. and soon his ac-
quairtance with this good woman
ripcned into love, and he resolved to
take herself and child and be to them a
husband and father.


Not very long ago an attorney Of
Nashville received letter from a lady
in East Tennessee, stating that she was
informed that her husband. who had
left her shortly after the close of the
war, had died. leaving considerable
property. and as she and her only child
were poor and in needy circumstances,
requested the attorney to examine into
the estate, and inform her of its condi-
ton. The attorney learning the con-
dition of things, communicated the
facts, as lac understood them. to the
lady in East Tennessee. and she, believ-
ing that her husband had proven re-
creant to his marriage VOWS, concluded
to file bill for divorce and alimony. 1t
was prepared and mailed to her at her
home, and in due time it was returned
to the attorney, sworn TO. who filed i;
in court, and obtained an attachment.
which was levied upon all the property
claimed and owned by the husband.
When the writ was served upon him he
WAS at his usual business, which he sud-
denly dropped rs if struck by lightning.


"Great God ! what is that you read
Mr.. Sheriffs"


On coming to from his shock, he took
the paper, and seeing that it was in
the name of his long-neglected but not
forgotten wife. he rushed to the attor-
ney's Office for more Information. On
being told there was no mistake. the
poor wretched man stood before him
with great beads Of perspiration drop
ping from his forehead. and exclaimed ::


lis there no remedy Tell me, sir.
what arm l to dog Is there no escape
from this disgrace! Ny poor wife-no,
the woman have loved for the last five
years aud called my wife. is now lying
at the point of death with consumption,
and her poor daughter. who nom child
hood had called me father. will forever
curse and hate my nsmo."


The dying woman was made aware Of
all the facts. aud angel-like. just as she
passed away. expressed the desire that
| her husband-for such she would call
him until dsath-should 60 aad live
with Mrs. Rogers. and be to her and
their two children devoted husband
and father. as he had been in the past.
Appropriately and quietly her remains
were inferred, while over the grave
bent the form of q man whose every
emotion no pen can describe. But the
attorneys personal. unknown ellen,
possessed q generous and forsiving dis
position. She bad no desire TO perse
cute his restless, uneasy spirit. She
said. in writing to her attorney III
thought my husband would be kind
and good TO me in the future as he his,
been in the past. although I am COM
fortably situated in the house Of my
aged father. who bitterly opposes my
leaving him, yet !, for the sake OF ths
child l bore my husband. would leave
the roof that now gives me shelter. and
share his trials the balance OF my life.
The wretched. husband on calling at the
attorneys office, was shown the lettel
of his wife, aud after reAdIng and de,
vouring its contents. exclaimed. "Goc
bless her. Noble woman. thou art th'
same archangel of mercy and goodness
She shall not only have my kindness
and love, but will toll and labor fo'
her all my days" Seeing his willing


ness 70 share his little fortune with her
the attorney drew . decree. which !


intended - q matter Of record, divest