Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-07-02
From the Ladies Companion.
THE REFEREE CASE.
BY EMMA c. EMgURy.

Inc outlines OF the following sketch were
related TO me By an aged and honored
member Of a large family connection; and
a man who possesses an almost inexhaus.
table fund Of legendary lore and whose
most interesting anecdotes and comic tale.
are but recollections of past scenes, oil
which he can say in the language of Acne.
as, quorum magma pars fui."
Many years ago" said Mr.. E.,
81 happened to be one Of the referees in q
case which excited universal interest in our
courts, from the singular nature of the
claim, and the strange story which it dis.
closed. TIE plaintiff, who was captain Of
a merchant ship, which traded principally
with England and tine West Indies, had
married quite early in life with every pros.
pect of happiness. His wife was said to
have been extremely beautiful, and no less
lovely in character. After living with
her in the most uninterrupted harmony for
five years, during which time Two daugh.
tiers were added to his family, he suddenly
resolved to resume his occupation, which he
had relnquished on his marriage and wher
his Youngest child was but three weeks
old, sailed once more for the West Indies.
His wife, who was devotedy attached to
him, sorrowed at his absence, and found
her only comfort in the society of her
children and the hope of his return. But
month after month passed away and he
came not, nor did any letters, those insult
ficient but welcome substitutes, arrive to
cheer her solitude. Months heightened in.
to years, yet no tidings were received ol
the absent husband and after long hoping
against hope. the unhappy wife was com.
PEELED to believe that he had found grave
beneath the wel;ering ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt
but the evils of poverty now were added
to her affection and the widow found her.
self obliged to resort 10 some employment
in order to support her helpless children.
Her needle WIS her only resort, ard fol
zen years she labored early and late for the
miserable pittance, which is ever grudg
ingly bestowed on the humble seamstress
A merchant of New York, in moderate
but prospecting circumstances accidentally
became acquainted with her, and pleased
with her gentle manners, no less then hel
extreme beauty, endeavorcd to improve
their acquaintance with friendship. AfteI
some months he offered her his hand, anC
was accepted. As the wife of a successful
merchant, she soon found herself in tn,
enjoyment Of comforts and luxurics, sucf
as she never before possessed Her chill
dren became his children, and received
from him every advantage that wealth anC
affection could procure. Fifteen years
had passed away the daughters married
and by their step-father were furnished
with every comfort, requisite 10 their new
avocation Of housekeepers. But they haC
scarcely quilted his roof, when their mo
Their was taken i'll. She died after few
days sickness, and from that time until tn,
period of which speak the w;dOwer hac
resided with the youngestdaughter.
''Now comes the strangest part of thu
story. After an absence of thirty years
during which time no tidings had beer
received from him, the first husband re
turned as suddenly as he had departed
He had changed his ship, adopted anothe
name, and spent the whole Of that long pc
Rod of time on the ocean, with only tran
sient visits OF shore while taking in or dis
charging cargo having been careful, al
so, never to come nearer home than New
| Orleans.
"Why he had acted in this unpardonabl
manner towards his family, no one coul
tell, and he obstinately refused all explana
ton. There were strange rumors c
slave trading and piracy ahoat, but the,
were only whispers of conjecture rathe
than truth. Whatever might have bee
his motives for such conduct, he was Ger
tainly any thing but Indifferent to his FAM
" concerns when he returned. Hc rave
like mailman when informed of his wife
second marriage and subsequent death
vowing vengeance upon his successor, an
terrifying his daughters by the most aw
fnl threats, in case. they refused to &C
knowledge his claims. He had returne
wealthy, and one OF those mean reptiles {
the law, who are always to be found abot
the halls Of Justice, advised him to bring
suit against the second husband, assufin
him that he could recover heavy damages
The absurdity Of inStituting claim for
wife, whom death had already release
from the jurisdiction Of earthly laws wa
so manifest, that it was at length agree
by all parties to leave the matter 10 be az
Judged by FIVE referees.
1T was on bright and beautiful aftel
noon in spring, that we first met to hes
this singular case. The sunlight stream
ed through the dusty windows ofthe cou
room, and shed a halo around the lon
| grey locks and broad forehead Of the d.
iendant; while the plaintiffs harsh fe;
lures were thrown into still bolder reli'
bv the same beam which sofiened the pl'