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Love, Marriage, and Divorce (1853/1889)


by Henry James, Sr. (1811-1882), Horace Greeley (1811-1872)
and Stephen Pearl Andrews (1812-1886)


XII.

A PARTHIAN ARROW BY MR. GREELEY

[Online editor’s note: A “Parthian arrow” (“Parthian shot,” “parting shot”) is a shot
fired whilst retreating, from the ancient practice of Parthian mounted archers. – RTL]


LMD-12.1
A HEART-BROKEN MANIAC. – We have just been put in possession of the particulars of a scene of sorrow seldom witnessed. A young lady, of this city, respectably connected and of fair reputation, nearly two years ago became acquainted with a man now residing in this place. The acquaintance soon ripened into a strong attachment, and, finally love, on her part. Under the promise of marriage, as she says, she was made to yield to his solicitations, and last autumn she gave birth to a child, which lived only two days. He disregarded his promises – avoided and frowned upon her. Here she was deprived of her lover and of her child. She felt that every eye was turned upon her with scorn – that those who saw her at her work, or met her in the street, knew her disgrace. Day by day, and week by week, her heart sank within her, paleness came to her cheeks, and her frame wasted away, till she is now almost a living skeleton Wednesday morning she went to work in the mills, as usual, but soon returned, saying that she was sick. In a few hours she was a raving maniac, her reason gone, perhaps forever. Since then she has had a few rational intervals, in one of which she stated that she met that morning with the one she calls her betrayer, and he frowned upon her and treated her with contempt. She could bear all the disgrace that attaches to her condition, if he would treat her kindly. But the thought that the one she has loved so dearly, and the one who made her such fair promises, should desert her at this time, and heartlessly and cruelly insult her, is too much for her to bear. Her brothers and friends are borne down with sorrow at her condition. What a picture! It needs no comment of ours. Public opinion will hunt down the heartless villain who betrayed her.” – Manchester (N.H.) Mirror.
LMD-12.2 The above relation provokes some reflection on “the Sovereignty of the Individual,” “the right of every man to do pretty much as he pleases,” etc., which the reader will please follow out for himself.

EDITOR OF THE TRIBUNE.




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