Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1875 — United at Last. [ARTICLE]

United at Last.

There was a somewhat venerable but very happy couple in the city Saturday, on their wedding trip, though the casual observer would hardly have suspected the latter fact. They left on the Lansing train at three o’clock for their home in Washtenaw County. The incidents which led to the union of this couple so late in life were somewhat extraordinary and not altogether without a halo of romance. It seems that the old gent! 'man, Deacon Joseph Place, who is now upward of seventy years of age, took it into his head last fall to go on a short visit to the home of his childhood, in New Hampshire. He had been for some years a widower, and his children have arrived at man’s and woman’s estate, and gone out to seek their own fortunes in the world. As he had more property than he was likely to spend in the short remnant of his life which remained, and as he had plenty of leisure on his hands, nothing was more natural than that he should break the monotony of his life with a little pleasure trip. So he set out for New England. As fortune would have it, before he had quite reached the place of his destination, a slight accident happened to the train, by which it was delayed an hour or so. The deacon got out of the car and looked about, and the hills and rocks which had been strangers to his eyes for so many years almost renewed his youth. As the train was liable to be detained for some little time he wandered to a house near by. Judge of the old

man’s surprise to find that the lady of the house was one whom he knew in early life. Indeed, when both were young they had felt a regard for each other differing quite materially from the regard which they felt for other people. But the fates, and the fates only do this cruel work, separated them, and they had long since lost trace, and almost recollection, of each other. However, recognition was mutual, and it is pretty certain that Deacon Place was glad to see the lady, and that the lady was glad to see the Deacon. Both had traveled a long way down life’s journey since they had parted, and both had lost their consorts. What more natural than that they should talk over old times? And speaking of these things, the scenes and incidents of early life rose vividly before them; and what more natural than that there should spring from this revival the old love, kindled anew, and that it should burn into a bright flame? Such was the case. All this did not transpire at the single visit, but the old man lingered in the neighborhood, and it soon became apparent that the lady was the strong attraction which drew him thither. The result was that, before the Deacon returned to his Michigan home, they plighted their troth anew, and the old man came back happy as a lark, and thanking Providence for the railroad accident, which gave him a new lease of life and life’s joys. After a few months he went back to claim his bride, the happy event was consummated, and on Saturday the venerable couple passed through the city on their way home.— Detroit Post.