The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-07-25

and he came not, nor did any letters, those
insufficient but welcome substitutes, arrive
10 cheer her solitude. Months heightened
INTO years, yet no iidings were received Of
the absent husband aud after long hoping
against hope, the unhappy wife was com.
PEELED TO believe that he had found grave
beneath the wellering ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt, but
the evils Of poverty were nov added to her
aflliction, and the widow found herself
obliged 10 resort 10 some employment, IN or.
der 10 support her helpless children. Her
needle was her only resource, and for ten
years she labored curly aud late for the
miserable pi!lance, which is ever grudging.
~ bestowed on the humble seansiress. A
merchant Of New York, in moderate hut
prosperous circumstances, accidentally be.
cane acquainted with her, aud pleased with
her gentle manners no less than her tx
treme beauty, endeayored 10 improve their
acquaintance with friendship. After some
months he offered has haud, and was accep.
ted. As the wife Of successful merchant
she soon found herself ia the enjoyment Of
comforts and Injuries, such as she had
never before possessed. Her children be.
came his children, and received from him
very advantage that wealth and adection
could procure. Fifteen years passed away;
the daughters married, aud by tbcir step
iather were furnished with every comfort,
requisite - their ncw ayocaiion Of house.
keepers. Bu, they had scarcely Quilted
his roof, when tbolr mother was taken III.
She died after a few days sickness, aud
from that time unlti the period Of vhich
| speak, the wtdowcr had resided With the
youngest daughter.
Now comes the slranEcsl part Of the SO.
y. Amer al absence d thtly years, ia
nog Shich nue 20 lIGnss had been rccely.
ed lrom him, the fra husband returned a.
suddenly o. he had departed. He had
changed h,s ship, adopted apoiher oame.
aud spout the sholc e that long period ot
time on the ocean, with ouly trauspu, visits
ga shore, Wilde taking ia or dtsehatglne
cargo having been careful, also, never TO
come nearer home than New Orleans. -
Why ho had acted " tins unpardouabie
aaancr towards Ei- family, ~ ono could
tell, and he obs'iuale,y refused ell cxplaua.
ton. Thee were strange rumnrs Of Save
radlnS aud piracy 90 at, but they were
only whispers Of con- clure rather than
Suth. Whatever miga, have bcca hi, no
tttes iof such conduct, lie vas certainly
my thing bu, Indifferent to his family con.
Germs when he returned he ravcd ike a
uad man ~hcu informed OF hls wiies 50
roud marriage and subsequent death, vow.
iue vco2eaacc upon his Successor, and ter
nlYng les daughters Is the most apful
lhr,a,s. 10 case they refused 10 ackBoe
lodge his CLAIMS. lie had returned veal
ibt, ani uue Of those mean reptiles Of The
ISIS Nho are always 10 BE found craving
abaui the balls Of justice, advised hlm 70
bring a sui against tbn second husband,
assuring hun tina, be oon!d rcca'er heavy
t3magrs. Tho absurdtty Of ,ns,nutng
claim for a oic, whom death lad already
released from the jurisdiction Of earthly
laws, VAS 50 manifest, lA4t 1, was al length
agreed hy al parties 10 leave the matter to
be adJudgcd by five referees.
Il 1as on bright and beautiful morning
10 spring, that We first met 10 hear this
singular case. The Sunlight strcamed
through the dusty windows of the court,
room aud shed halo around the long grey
locks and broad forehead Of the defendant !;
while the plaintiffs harsh features were
thrown into still bolder relief by the same
beam which soitoned the placid counte.
nance OF his adversary. The plaintiffs
lawyer made mos, eIoquen, appeal for his
client, aud had we not been better inform.
"a ab1u, The matter, our hearts would have
been melted by his touching description Of
the return OF the desolate husband, and the
agony with which he now behcld his house.
hold gods removed 10 coasccrate strau.
gers hearth. The celebrated Aaron Burr
was counsel Tor the defendant, aud we an.
uelpatpd from him u splendid display Of
oatory.
Contrary TO expectations, however, Burr
made no attempt to conute his oppouent's
oraiory. lie merely opened a book Of sta
tuIes, and pointing with his thin fingers to
ona OF the pages, desired the referees 10
read II, while he retired for moment 10
bring IN the principal tCitHcss, We had
scarcely finished the section, which fully
decided the mattcr in our minds, when
Burr rc.cn,ered with tall and elegant e.
male leaning on his arm. She was ottlred
IN slmple white dress, with q wreath OF
IVY leaves cncircllng her large straw bon.
net, and a lace veil completely concealing
her couuteuanco. Burr whispered a few