The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-06-26

INC PffHctpSs we Uau
scarcely finished the section which fully de-
cided the matter in our minds, when Burr
re-entered with tall and elegant female
leaning on his arm. She was attired in a
simple white dress, with a wreath Of ivy
leaves encircling her large straw bonnet,
and lace veil completely concealing her
csuntenance. Burr whispered few words,
apparently encouraging her to advance,
and then gracefully raising her veil, dis
closed to US face Of proud surprising
beauty. | recollect as we'll as is il had
happened yesterday, how simultaneously
the murmur Of admiration burst from the
lips of all present. Turning to the plain
tiff, Burr asked in a cold. quiet tone
"Do you know this lady T.
! Answer. 81 do"
Burr. "Will you swear to that ~
Ans. Il will to the best of my knowl.
edge ond belief she is my daughter"
Burr. "Can you swear TO her iden-
tny1"
Ans. 81 can"
Burr. "Wbat is her agel
Ans. She was 80 years Of age on the
Goth day of April"
Burr. "When did you list see her 7"
Ans. CAT her owR house about fort
night since"
Burr. When did you last see her pre-
vious TO that meeting 7"
The plaintiff hesita,ed-a long pause en-
sued-lhe question was repeated, and the
answer at length was
"On the l4,h day of May, IL"
"When she was just three weeks DID,"
added Burr. Gentlemen" continued he,
turning to us, ,"I have brought this lady
here as m Important witness, and such |
think she is.-The plaintiffs counsel has
pleaded eloquently in behalf Of the bereaved
husband, who escaped the perls of the sea
aud returned only to find his home deselatc.
But who will picture to you the lonely wife
bending over her daily toll, devo,ing her
hes, years to the druid gerry of sordid poverty,
supported only by the hope Of her hus-
bands return1 Who will paint the slow
progress Of heart-sickening, the wasting
anguish of hope deferred, and finally, the
overwhelming agony which came upon her
when her last hope was extin2uished, and
she was compelled to believe herself indeed
"A widow !-Who eau depict all this without
awakening in your hearts the warmest sym
pathy for the deserted wife, and the Interest
scorn for the mean, piful wretch, who
could thus trample on the heart Of her
whom he had sworn 10 love and cherish
We need not inquire into his motives for
acting so base part. Whether it was love
Of gain, RIGHTEOUSNESS, or selfish indifier.
ence, it matters not he is too vile thing
to be Judged by such laws rs govern men.
Let US ask the witness-she who now
stands before us with the frank, fearless
brow of true hearted woman-let us ask
her which of these two has been to her a
father.
Turning to the lady, in a tone whose
sweetness was in strange contrast with the
scornful accent that had just characterized
his words, he besough, her to relate briefly
the recellec,ons Of her early life. A slight
flush passed over her proud and beautiful
face rs she replied.
My Fl rst recellections are Of a small i'll
furnished apartment, which my sister and
myself shared with my mother. She used
TO carry out every Saturday evening the
work which had occupied her during the
week, and bring back employment for the
following one. Saving that wearissme vis-
it to her employers, and her regular atten-
dance at church, she never lef: .ue house.
. She often suoke Of my father, and of his an-
, ticipated return, but at length she ceased to
mention him, though observed she used
to weep more frequently than ever. Itben
though, she wept because we were so poor,
for it sometimes happened that our only
support was bit Of dry bread and she
was accustomed to see by The light of the
! chips which she kinded to warm her fam
J ishing children, because she could not pur-
J chase n candle without deprving US Of our
morning meal. Such was our poverty when
my mother contracted a second marriage,
and the change to US was like sudden en-
trance into Paradise. We found home
and father" She Baused.
} Would you excite my own child agains,
ne 7" cried the plaintiff, Ms he inpatlently
waved his hand for her to be silent.
They eyes Of the witness flashed fire as
she spoke, I" You are not my father" eI-
claimed she vehemenily. "The law may
deem you sueh bu, disclaim you utterly
whnt call you my father you, who
basely left your wife TO toll and your chill
dren To beggary1 Never never! Bebs.d
. there my father" pointing to the sgita,ed
defendant, "there is the man who watched
, o,er:py infancy--who was the sbarer oi
my childish sports. and the guardian Of my
inexperienced youth. There is he who
claims my affection and shares my howe
there is my father. For yonder selfish
; wretch, know him not. The best year.
uf his life have been spent in lawlcss free
dom from socisl ties let him seek else