Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-06-27

A TRUE STORY.

of the referees in q case which exciteo
unusual interest in our courts, from the
singular nature Of the claim, and the
strange story which it disclosed. The
plaintiff, who was captain of merchant
ship which traded principally with the
West Indies, had married quite early with
every prospect of happiness. His wife
was said to have been extremely beautl.
full, and no less lovely in character.
After living with her in the most unin.
terrupted harmony for Eve years, during
which time two daughters were added to
his family, he suddenly resolved to re-
sumo his occupation, which he had relIn-
quished on his marriage, and when his
Youngest child was but three weeks old,
sailed once more for the West Indies
His wife, who was devotedly attached to
him, sorrowed deeply at his absence, and
found her only comfort in the society oil
her children and the hope oil his return.
But month after month passed away. and
he came not, nor did any letters, those
insufficient but welcome substitutes, ar
rive to cheer her solitude. Months length
ened into years, yet no tidings were re.
ceived OF the absent husband /; and after
long hoping against hope, the unhappy
wife was compelled to believe that he
had found a grave beneath the weltering
ocean.
Her sorrow wal deep and heartfelt,
but the evils of poverty were now added
to her affection, and the widow found her,
sell obliged 20 resort to some employment
in order to support her children. Her
needle was her only resource, q Tor ten
wears she labored early and late for the
miserable pittance which is ever grudging.
" bestowed on a humble seamstress.
A merchant Of New York, in moderate
but prosperous circumstances, accidental.
" became acquainted with her, and plea
sed with her gentle manners no less than
with her extreme beauty, endeavored to
improve their acquaintance with Trend.
ship.
After some months, he offered his hand,
and was accepted. As the wife ola sue
ce.sful merchant, she soon found herself
in the enjoyment ofcomforts and luxuries'
such as she had never before possessed.
Her children became his children, and
received from him every advantage whIch
wealth and affection could procure. Flf.
teen years passed away; the daughters
married, and by their step father were
furnished with every comfort requisite in
their new ~avocation Of house-keepers.-
Rut thew had scarcely Quilted his roof,
when their mother was taken ILL.,. She
died after a few days sickness, and from
that time until the period of which | speak,
the widower resided with the youngest
daughter.
Now comes the strangest part Of The
story. After an absence of thirty years.
during which time no tidings had been re.
ceived from him, the first husband retur'
ned as suddenly as he had departed.
He had changed his ship, adopted ano.
Their name, and spent the whole of that
long period on the ocean, with only tran.
silent visits on shore, while taking in or
~discharging cargo; having been careful,
never to come nearer home than New Or
leans. Why he had acted in this unpar-
donable manner towards his family, no
n could tell, and he o~bstinately refused
all explanation.
There were strange rumors OF slave
trading and piracy afoat, but they were
only whispers as conjecture rather than
truth. Whatever might have been his
motives for such conduct, he was certainly
any thing but indifferent to his family
concerns when he returned. lie raved
like a madman when informed o fhis wife's
second marriage and subsequent death,
vowing vengeance upon his successor,
and terrifying his daughters by the most
awful threats, in case they refused to &C.
knowledge his claims. He had returned
wealthy, and one of those mean reptiles
of the law, who are always TO be found
crawling about the halls Of justice, advi.
sed him 10 bring a suit agains! the second
husband, assuring him that he could reco.
yer heavy damages. The absurdity OF
instituting a claim for a wife whom death
had already released from the jurisdiction
of earthly laws was so manifest, that It
was a, length agreed by all parties to
leave the matter to be ~adjudged by five
referees.
1t was on a bright and beautiful after
noon in spring, when we met to hear thus
singular case. The sunlight streamed
through the dusty windows of the court.
room. and shed a halo around the long
grey locks and broad forehead OF the de-
fendant; while the plaintiffs harsh fea.
,ures were thrown into still holder relief,
by the same beam which softened the pla-
cid c~ountenance Of his adversary.
The plaintiff lawyer made a most elo-
quen, appeal for his client. Had we not
been informed about the matter, our hearts
would have been melted by his touching
description Of the return OF the desolate
husband, and the agony with which ne
NOW beheld his household goods removed