Year: 1872

n ilhoSh oVh Stt'cs
REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF sEEF-sACRI-


FICE-A MAN RESIGNS HIS WIFE TO


ANOTHER MAN AFTER AN ABSENCE OF


FIFTEEN YEARS.


A remarkable instance of self-sacri-
fee has Just been narrated to us by an
old resident in the southern part of this
county, and we publish it here, giving
the facts as nearly as they can be repro
dueed from memoranda taken at the
time. The narrator having received the
money of the unfortunate gentleman in
trust for the children of his wife, was
one of the few who were even aware OF
the circumstances as they really were,
and the recent death of the lady in ques-
ton has removed the seal which has
hitherto prevented the publication of the
story.


Nearly eighteen years ago, a young
man named P purchased small
farm in the location alluded to, and mar
ried the daughter of neighboring farm.
er. They had one child, and for several
years, in the uneventful round of daily
duties, lived life of happiness. But un
fortunately for himself and family, the
spirit of gain took possession of his soul
and he gradually became possessed o.
an inordinate craving for wealth. He
became dissatisfied with the small bu
steady profits accumulating from his
farm, and began to indulge in specula
tions of various kinds, in which at frs
he proved quite successful. On one oc
casion his business took him to Phila
delphia. and he went with quite larg'
sum of money in his possession, which h,
had borrowed to aid him in prosecutin,
the speculation in which he was engag
ed. He was to return in three weeks
but that elapsed, and he did not max
his appearance. The three weeks length
ened into four, then FIVE; months elapsed
and still no news of him reached his al
ficted family. A year passed by, and a
no tidings came, he was given up for dead
His creditors, who had from time to tim
deferred the presentation of their claims
now pressed in, the little home was sold
and the forlorn woman with her infan
son was turned out upon the world
Though no word came to this more tina


widow, she could not relinquish all hope


Many offers of marriage were made t.


her, but she refused them all, still frml


believing that her husband would return


In vain it was urged that the large sum
of money in his possession had temple


the ruffians that infest the large cities


and that he had in all probability bee
murdered. In vain her friends reiterat


ed that, if living, he would certainl
have communicated with her in som


manner. His we'll known integrity rer
dered it improbable that he had abscond


ed simply for the money in his possession


and all save his wife believed that h


had been foully dealt with.


After the lapse of nine years, whic
rolled their weary weight over her hea


without bringing any tidings of the mis-
ing man, a wealthy gentleman offere
} her his hand Her parents and friend
urged her to accept, if only for the SAX
of her fatherless child, and finally sh
gave a reluctant consent, and was mai
ried.


One winters night, nearly six year
after the marriage, the family were seal
ed about the fire, when the eldest bo
was sent into the yard for wood. III
came in evidently much excited, an
; said that he had seen strange ma
. looking about the house. The fathe
: made an effort to quiet him. but paid n
| further attention to the matter, suppo
! ing it was merely boyish fright. Th
! next morning, however, strange rumor
! were current in the neighborhood. On
: man had been stopped the day previou
! by stranger who inquired if Mrs P
: was still living in that locality. In II
ply to this question the stranger was il