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

Anacer. 81 do"
Burr. Win you swear that
Ahswer. {" will; 10 the best Of my
knowledge aud belief, she is my daughter"
Burr. Can you swear to her identity.
Ansirer. I" can."
Burr. What is her age.
AnSDer. "She was thirty years of age
on the goth day of April"
Burr. When did you las, see herl
AnSper. " AT her own house, fortnight
SINCE"
Burr. When did you las, sec her pre-.
yiously 10 that meeting
The plaintiff hesitaled-a long pause en-
sued-lhe question was repeated, and the
answer at length was, on the fourteenth
day Of May, IL"
When she was just three weeks old"
added Burr.
"Gentlemen," continued be, turning to
US, 81 have brought this lady here as an
important witness, aud such think she is.
The plaintiffs counsel has pleaded eloquent.
y IN behalf Of the bereavcd husband, who
escaped The perIls Of the sea, and returned
only 10 find his home dcsolaie. But who
Will picture to you the lonely wife bending
over her daily toll, devoling her best years
TO the dr0dgery Of sordld poverty, support.
ed only BY The hope of her husbands re.
Turn! Who will paint the slow progress
OF heart sickness, the wasting anguish Of
hope deferred, aud 6uallv, the oyerw helm.
lng agony which came upon Der when her
las. hope was extlngushed, and she was
compelled to believe herself indeed widow
Tho can depict all tins without awakening
~ your hearts the warmest sympathy for
the deserted wife, and the biue5esl scorn
Tor The mean, pntlul wretch who could thus
ifample on the hear, of her whom he had
sworn 10 love and cherish. We need no,
inquire into bls motives for acting SO base
q part. Whether II vas love d gain, OF ii.
ceaiiousness, or selfish indifference, II mat.
tiers not; he Is loo yle a thing to be ludg
/ 81 by such laws as govern MEN. Let Us
ask the witness--she who now stands he.
/ fore US with the frank, fearless brow of n
! tree hearted woman-lrl us ask her which
@. these lAo has been 10 her a father.
d
| Turning 70 the lady, in tone whose
sweetness was 10 sronae contrast wiki no
scomiul accent that had 4st characterised
has words, he besought her 10 relsie briefly
! the recol.eclIons 81 her earl, HE A slight
tllsh passed over her proud aud beautiful
I face as she replied.
Ms FIRST rccolccilous are of q small i'll.
furnished apartment, which my sister and
uN sei shared Nlth my mother. She used
to carry GU, every Saturday evening the
work which had occupied her during the
week, aud bring back employmens for the
following one. Saving that weatsome Wis.
Il 10 her employer, aud her regular atten.
dance at church, she never leG the house.
She oilen spoke Of our father, and OF has an.
uclpa,ed return but at length she ceased
TO mention bun, though | observed she used
, 10 weep more frequently than ever. then
thought, she wept because We were so poor,
for Il sometimes happened that our only
supper was q bit Of dry bread, and she was
accustomed to see by the light Of the chips
which She kindled 10 warm her furnishing
purchase candle without dcpriWug US Of
our morning meal. Such was our poverty
when NY mother contracted second mar
( rage aud the change TO Us was like a sud
den entrance into Paradise. We found u
home aud a father She paused.
Would YOU excite my own child -ajnsl
me ~ cried the plaintiff as he lmpatently
waved his hand for her 10 be silent,
The eyes Of the witness flashed ire as
she spoke, on are not my father, cx.
claimed she vehemenrly. 1.-The law may
deem you such, but | disclaim you utterly.
What cali you my father you who base
/ ~ left your wife TO toll, and your children TO
bcggaryl Never never Behold there
my father" pointing 10 the agitated deen,
dent, there IS the man who watched over
my intancy-who was the sharer Of ms
childish sports and the guardian Of my ineX.
perieuced youth. There is he who claims
my affection, aud shares my home; there is
my father. For yonder selfish wretch, |
know him not. The best wears Of his life
have been spent IN lawleSS freedom from so,
clal ties f; let him seek elsewhere for the CON.
panlon Of his decreplude, nor dare insult
the ashes Of my mother by claiming the
duties Of kindred from her deserted chill.
dron =
She drew her veil hastily around her as
she spoke, aud giving her hand TO Burr,
moved as if 10 withdraw
Gentlemen" said Burr, 81 have no
more TO say. The words OF the law are
expressed IN the book before you the words