Year: 1871




Lafayette Park, with its delightful


shade and beautiful miniature lake, foun-


tains, statues and winding walks, its


weird cascades and beds of flowers, was


the scene, n few days ago, Of little


drama, which for time promised to end


in tragedy, but to the great surprise of


all concerned, proved to be real


romance.


Living near the park is a family con-


sisting of young gentleman, his wife


and little daughter nearly three years


old. The husbands business calls him


away from home all day, and the wife,


with her little daughter, were accustomed


to stroll in the park. While walking


near the statue of the illustrious Benton


the other day, the mother was surprised


at hearing her little daughter exclaim,


in joyful ecstasy: "Oh, papal mann


ma here's papa" and at the same time


going as fast as her little feet would


carry her, toward a gentleman who


was seated on the grass under the


shade of the statue. With his back to-


ward the lady, he did resemble her hus-


band very much, and she was really


greatly pleased to find him seated there,


apparently so much interested in morn


ing paper. Imagine her surprise when,


upon addressing him, she found that the


gentleman was an entire stranger to her.


Abashed, completely confused, she


vainly endeavored to find words for an


apology, but her speech utterly failed
her. The gentleman, however, gallantly
came to the rescue, assured her no harm
had been done, and that the little incl
dent would always be remembered by
him as one of the pleasantest of his
life. The lady sat down upon the foot
stone of the monument and the gentle
man caressed and chatted to the little
one, who was sitting near him.


While this little incident was transpir-
ing in the park, what was the husband
doing? Going to his place of business
this morning he met friend there who,
with what intent we know not, casually
remarked to him that he met his (the
merchants) wife in the park every time
he went there. and playfully suggested
that such thing might be that sac
found something of rare enjoyment
there or else she would not go so often.
Being little inclined toward jealous
disposition he thought he could spare
time to Just run up there, surprise his
wife and run back again, at the same
time satisfying himselfabout his friend S
He drove to the park,
leaped from his carriage and hurried on
the avenues in search OF his
dear ones. What we're his feelings when
he saw what he supposed was the full
realization of his friends hints2 There
could be no mistake; for sitting at the
foot of the monument was his wife
and at her feet gentleman who
was perfect stranger TO him,
caressing and chatting with his
child. With cry of rage and despair,
he sprang upon the supposed invader of
his family peace, seized. him by the
throat, and presented revolver at his
breast. The wife, innocent of any
wrong, retained wonderfully her pres
ence of mind, and begged, plead and
implored him to await an explanation.
Time was thus gained, and the husband S
second-sober thought came to him. he
would spare the strangers life, but she,
his wife, should leave his house. and
home. He released his hold upon the
gentleman, and after few moments of
silence the wife ventured to
speak. The husband listened, but only
mechanically, to her story, but the little
angel at his side, broke the ice by ex-
claiming " dot two papas; | found one
in the park for mamma this mornin 7


But the story is not yet told. The
husband and wife both insisted that the
gentleman should accompany them to
their residence, which he did. After an
apology on the part of the husband for
his rudeness, some wine and cake were
sat out and discussed. Upon the
stranger giving his name, the host
started with a seeming nervousness, and
instantly asked his fathers given name.
II was furnished. The husband raised
upon his feet and in an excited manner
and apparently laboring under great
excitement, looked the guest squarely
in his face and asked his mothers
name. Upon the announcement of
her name, the husband fell with a cry |
of JOY upon the neck of the stranger
crying, Brother brother 1t was
indeed the long lost brother, whom
he had been separated from since
and save for sober second
thought he would have murdered, and at
the same time blasted the future of him
self and family. The story of the sep
aration was one not at all new. In boy
hood they had lived in an Eastern home,
and one seized with the spirit of adven-
ture went to the Pacific coast, failed to
,,,.;+o bo,na and haoo me ag IL were dead |
10 the family. The other brother came
West several years after and settled in
St. Louis, where the first brother wan
lered after somewhat eventful expert
snce, and the recognition took place.
It is needless to add that the mistake of
he child proved a source of great graft