Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-08-15


Burr. "When did you last see her previou
e TO that meeting?"
:. The plaintiff hesitated-a long pause ensue
u I---the question was repeated, and the answer
T. length was given. al
q "When she was just three weeks old,"ef :
Burr "Gentemen," continued he, tur .g t
US, 81 have brought this lady here an in
S portant witness, and such think s. is. TIL
PLAINTIFFS Counsel has pleaded oqucntly il
behalf OF the bereaved husband who escape,
the periIs of the sea and rotu| ed Only to fin,
his home desolate. But w will picture t
: you The lonely wife, BEND ( over her daily
toll, deVoting her best yer to the drudgery O
sorold poverty support / only by the hope o.
, her husbands rctp~ Who will paint the
SLOW progress OF HI sickening, tho wasting
anguish of hope d red and finally the over
whelmng agony mich came upon her when
her last hope W extingushed, and she was
compelled to By eve herself indeed widow
Who can DC ret all this without awakening
IN your he IS the warmest sympathies for the
deserted G, and the biterest scorn for the
mean, al wretch who could thus trampe
on tb, ,art of her whom he had sworn to love
and irish? We need not inquire into his
M eS Tor acting so base part. Whether ii
j. love OF gain, or RIGHTEOUSNESS, or selfish in
Terence, 1t matters not; he is loo vile thing
be judged by such laws as govern man. Let
us ask the wltness-she who now stands before
us with the frank, fearless brow of a true heart
ed woman-let US ask her which of these two
has been TO her father.'
Turning to the lady, in tone whose sweet.
ness was in strange contrast with the scornfulI
accent that had just characterized his words,
lie besought her 10 relate briefly the recoec-
lions OF her early life. A slight flush passed
over her proud and beautiful face as She re.
pled,-
my first recolIections are ola small i'll fur.
llshed apartment, which my sister and mvselrII
hared with my mother. She used 10 carry
'nt every Saturday evening the work which
lad occupied her during the week. and bring {
ack employment for the following. Saving Id
nat wearIsome visit to her employers, and her /
egular attendance at church, she never left n
ne house. She often spoke of my father, and a
his anticipated return, but at length she cea- "
ed to mention him, though observed she used a
weep more frequently than ever. | then v
iought she Wept because we were so poor, for I
sometimes happened that our only support Q
as bit of bread; and she was accustomed to fl
C by the light of the chips which she kndIed 10
warm her iamished children, because she to
uld not purchase a candle without depriving th
oil our morning meal. Such was our pov. 10
~ when my mother contracted second mar
'ge, and the change to US was like sudden wi
trance into Paradise We found a home DIV
father" She paused. sill
Would you excite my own child against er
Z" cried the plaintiff, as he impatientiy wa wi
his hand for her TO be silent. on
The eyes of the witness flashed fire as he fa,
'ke' "Iou are not my father" exclaimed -
, vehemently. "rho law may deem YOU sv
n but disclam you utterly. What! call :
my iather! you who basely left your wife
toll and your children to beggary! Never!
yer! Behold there my father" pointing to
agltated defendant, "there is the man who 4
Iched over my infancy--who was the sharer
ny childish sports, and the guardian Of nav
experienced youth. There is he who claims
affections and shares my home; there is
father. For yonder selfish wretch, know
not The best years of his life have been
nj IN lawIess freedom from social ties let
seek elsewhere for tho companion of his
repltude, nor dare insult the ashes of NV
Their by claiming the duties Of kindred from
deserted children" 1JA'
She drew her veil hastily around her as she
IKE, and moved as if to withdraw.
Gentlemen" said Burr, 81 have no more to
:, The words of the law are expressed in
book before you; the words of truth Won FE
'e just heard from woman's pure lips; it is
you 10 decide according 10 the decision of
ure and the DEGREES of Justice"
need not say that our decision was in favor
ne defendant, and that the plaintiff went Ma
IN followed by the contempt Of every homo.
lie person who was nracant NJ ,Lo ..:.l