Year: 1875




stancy.


While in Victor, Ontario County, n. Y,
recently, the writer learned the particulars
of a romance in real life which rivals the
most ingenious of the fancy.


The principals, Calvin Bates and Nancy
Hill, were born something like sixty years
ago, somewhere-the exact place is unim-
portant-in Vermont. They were very
near of an age, were the children of neigh
bors, and spent much of their youth i'll
each others company, mutually dividing
their ioys and sorrows, as well as their
bread and butter and sugsr. But they
could not tarry as children, If they would.
Calvin grew into a strong limbed young
man, with downy upper lip and deep
bass voice, and Nancy rounded into a
comely maiden, the pride Of her parents
and the admiration of the village beauX.
Calvin loved her, of course; had he not
always loved her? and Nancy was neral
" sure that none of the young men of her
acquaintance were more worthy OF her af-
ftction than Calvin, and so they were en-
gagged, and were to be married as soon as
enough money could be made to give
them a little start in life. 1t did seem, for
once, that the course of true love would
run smoothly.


It IOi NOuilR W ~
ahead in the world in Vermont, at least in
their section, being few, Calvin bade a
tender adieu to his Nancy, and tore him.
self away, and went to seek his fortune in
Cortland County, New York. Here he
labored hard, and practiced rigid economy
to save up enough to buy home, cheered,
the meanwhile, by loving epistles, con
veying assurances of undiminished regard
and sympathy. But there came change.


1t wasn't pleasant thing for CALVIN,
although If it hadn't occurred the pith
would have been knocked out of this story
completely. Nancy's letters ceased COM
ing. Missives inquiring the cause of the
silence brought no response, and reports
came to his ears that Nancy was smiling
on another. He sorrowed over disaP-
pointment bitterly and long; but as he
didn't commit suicide to start with, he
finally concluded, as a majority of rejected
suitors do, to marry some one else.


He reached the conclusion seven years
after leaving Vermont, and after the
ceremony was performed took his wife
back to his old home, just to let Nancy see
that she wasn't the only woman in the
world, and that there were those who
were glad to have him if she was not. 1t
would have been better for his peace OF
mind if be had stayed away, for he not
only found that Nancy had not married, but
that she had been patiently though tear
fully waiting for him all these years, sick
at heart with hope so long deferred, but
never doubling that he would one day
come to claim her hand, and clear away
the mystery. 1t seemed that she had
written as faithfully as he, but his letters
ceased coming, and the explanation came
70, of Tho Eyillana
mail was distributed by woman, and she
had a grudge against Nancy, which she
most cruelty avenged by intercepting and
destroying her letters to Calvin, and re-
plies. .t


The mischief was done, however, and
there was no honorable course but to sub
nit, and make the best of the dilemma.
Bates took his wife and went off to the
West, where he made her a home OF COM
fort and ease, and she bore him half
dozen children.


Seven years ago the recollection of the
old times so worked upon him that he left
his home in California and visited Yer
mont again. He found that Nancy, whom
he hadleft more than thirty years before,
had been married to man named Walker
and had become widow; that she had
grown up children, but was in straighten-
ed circumstances, and that her hOme was
in Victor, N. Y. He hunted her up on his
way back, and made her call. Together
they reviewed old recollecIions, and all in
all had a very pleasant melancholy time of
it. He had her picture taken to carry back
with him, and on leaving insisted upon
giving her an elegant silk dress and $3.50.
1t isn't probable that Mrs. Bates knew any
thing of this, but as money was to them,
so to speak, drug in the market, who
shall blame the husband for giving his old
flame helping hand?


Seven years more rolled around and left
Mr.. Bates wjdower. True as the needle
to the pole, his thoughts reverted to
Nancy. and after decent season of wait
ing he sought her out last fall, and the
twain were speedily made one flesh. She
pleaded for little delay to make wedding
preparations, but he would hear to no
postponement for any purpose. He
brought her rich jewels, and she was mar
ried in the dress he had bought her seven
years before. A little later, they went for
bridal tour to their childhood's home in
Vermont, once again to bring vividly to
mind the old days when their hearts were
first warmed into the love for each other
which had reachcdits full fruition after the
lapse of many weary years.


They have now settled near Victor, in
Ontario County, where they anticipate
spending the remainder of their days in
peace and auietude. They are an old
couple, but very happy, and scarcely less
fond of each other. probably, than when
their passion coursed through the veins OF
youth.


~ CIV x-oa,.o 1Qs x-;id hoa-tr hava noon