ADVERTISED FOR A HUSBAND.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2241, 12 May 1877, Page 3

ADVERTISED FOR A HUSBAND.

SAD RESULT OF A YOUNG LADY'S FOLLY— MARRIED TO ANOTHKU WO.UANS'S HUSBAND.

PORTERVILLE, Pa., March 4th. — Five years ago Miss Mary Athers of this place advertised in a Boston paper for a husband. Among other responses to her advertisement, was one from John U. Johnson, of Rutland, Vermont. A correspondence resulted from the advertisement, and three months after the card was inserted, inaccordance with the request of the person answering to that name, she went to Rutland and was married to him. Miss Athers was the daughter of William R. Athers, cashier of the Raftsmen's Bank of this place. Her purpose was entirely unknown to her parents. When she left home she said she Avas going to Boston to vist a college friend. Four weeks after she Avent away she returned home with her new husband. Notwithstanding the fact, that her parents Avere grieved at her freak, they accepted the situation, and, Johnston being a gentlemanly-appearing man and a good bookkeeper, the Avife's father placed him in the bank as an assistant. Although Johnson developed qualities that Avere inconsistent Avith his position, he was retained in the situation that was given him, and his shortcomings were overlooked.

On Wednesday last a lady with two children, both under eight years of age, appeared in Porterville. She inquired for Mr. Johnson, saying that she avus his Avife. and that he was the father of her children. Her story Avas not believed tit first, but when Johnson acknowledged that it avus all true, the village Avas thrown into the most intense excitement. Johnson said that he had been unable to live A\ith his Avife on account of the intemperance of her mother, and had left her two months before he answered Miss Athers' advertisement. He supposed, he says, that all intercourse with her Avas at an end, and thought that she would never trouble him again. He left his victim, however, and went to live with his true Avife and family. Miss Athers, or, as she supposed she avus, Mrs. Johnson, on Monday went to Orchard's drug store, and called for a quantity of arsenic. Being refused the drug she Avent home, and was found Friday morning lying on the floor of her room dead. She had shot herself through the heart with, -a revolver that Johnson kept ill a stand drawer in the room they had occupied.

Johnston could not be .found yesterday morning. His Avife and children ate still here. Miss Athers Avas about twenty-four years old, and a highly accomplished lady. She leaves one child, wo years 'old. The greatest excitement pi'cVails, and if Johnston could be found the'ffe is no doubt %ut what ho Avould be summarily de-alt with. —[New York @<y?ald.