AN AMERICAN ENOCH ARDEN.

Kumara Times, Issue 1457, 30 May 1881, Page 2

AN AMERICAN ENOCH ARDEN.

The following story of an American Enoch Arden is related in the FrancoAmerican Messenger: Some forty years ago a gentleman named Philips was married in the United States. He became in the course of time the father of several children, and then abruptly disappeared from his home. Years passed without bringing any news of the absent one, and eventually his wife, believing him to be dead, remarried, and lived happily during twenty years with her second husband, by whom she had several children. Recently she died, the funeral took place, and shortly afterwards the widower received a visit from an elderly man, who introduced himself as deceased lady’s first husband, and claimed a right to administer her property. He was regarded as an imposter at the outset, but succeeded in the end in proving his identity, and explained the cause of his singular disappearance. He had gone to California in the hope of becoming a millionaire, but had written several times to his wife, who failed to receive his letters. He had returned to his native town

years back, but on finding bis wife was remarried and happy, he had refrained from troubling heb by revealing the fadt that slie had two husbands living. Her death rendered further concealment unnecessary, ahd it! the affection of his children he hoped to find a solace for his declining years. The two Widowers thereupon shook hands, says the American Journal j the children and the property were equitably divided, the first and second husbands separating the best of friends.