The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1839-08-01
Prom The Ladies compsniOa.
AN OLD GENTLEMAN'S STORY.
nv MAS NMarnv

Of me referees in q case which excited
unusual interest in our courts, from the
singular nature Of The claim, and she
strange story which il disclosed. The
painful. whs sss'eaplain Of merchan,
ship which traded principally with EGG
land and ihe West Indies, had married
quite early m life with every prospeci OF
happiness. Ills wife vas said 10 have
been extremely beautiful. and no less
lovely in character. Altar living with
her ~ The most uninterrupted harmony
ior i've years. during which line lso
daughters we're added 10 his lamily. he
suddenly resolved TO resume his oceupa-
lion. which he had relinquished on his
marriage, aid when his youngest child
Was bot three weeks old, sailed once
more (or the West Indies. His wife.
Who was desotedly attached 10 him. sor-
rawed deeply 81 bic absence. and found
her only comfort in the society Of her
children and The hope Of his return. But
month af,er month passed away and be
came not, nor did any letters, those in
sufficient bot welcome substitutes. srriye
10 cheer her solitude. Months lenglhen.
ed into Yeas. yet no tidings we're receiy-
ed Of the sbsen, husband; and sller long
hoping against hope. The unhappy wife
~as compelled 10 believe that he had
found q grave beneath the wellering
ocean. -...-s.....
Her sorrow sas deep and heartfelt. but
The evils Of poSerIy were now added 10
her affection. and The widow found her
self obliged 10 resort 10 some employ
msni, in order 10 support her helpless
children. Her needle vas her only re.
source, and Tor ten years she !sbored ear
~ and late for the miserable piIlsnce.
which 10 ever grudgingly bestowed on
The humble seamstress. A merchant Of
New York. in moderate but prosperous
circumstances. accidentally became &C.
quainisd with her, and pleased with her
gentle manners no less than her exterior
beauty, endeavored 10 improve their &C.
quainlsnce with friendship. After some
months he offered his hand. AID was &C.
copied. As the wife Of successful mer-
chant she soon found herself in The en-.
ioyment Of comforts and luxuries, such
IS she had never before possessed. Hel
children became his children, and receiy.
ed from him every advantage that wealth
and affection could procure. Fifteen
years passed away; the daughters mari
ed, and by their siep.fa,her were furnish
ed with every comfort requisite in lhei
new svocsIion Of house-keepers. Blu
they had scarcely quilted his root. wher
their mother was taken III. She died al
ter a Few days sickness. and from ,ha
time until The period Of which | speak
the widower had resided with the youn
gest daughter.
Now comes The sirangest par, Of ih
story. After an absence Of thirty years
during which time no ,idings had bee
received from him, The first husband &c
turned as suddenly as he had departed
Tie had changed his ship, adopted anoth
er name. and spent The whole Of that Ion
period OF time on the ocean, with onl
transient visits on shore. while taking i
/ or dischsrging cargo; having been care
fui, also, never 10 come nearer hou,
than New Orleans, Why he had scle
in this unpardonable manner towards hi
fam,ly. no one could tell. and he obst
nsiely refused al explanation, Ther
were strange rumors OF slave trading an
piracy saoa,. bot they were only whi'
!. pefs Of conjecture rather Than ru,l
. whs,ever might have been bis motive
. Cor such conduct, he was certainly an
9 thing but indifferent 10 his family COZ
: Germs when he returned. lie raved lIk
a msd.msn when informed Of his vile
{ second marriage aud subsequent dealt
!. vosing vengeance upon his successo
aud terrifying his daughters BY The mo-
] awful threats. in case they refused 10 AZ
9 knowledge his claims. He had rsiurne
9 wealthy. and one OF thosa mean reptile
. OF the law whn are always 70 be four
. crawling abou, The halls Of justice. advi
ed him 10 bring sui, agains, The secon
d husband, assuring him that be could 9
. cover heavy damages. The absurdi.y
/. ins,i,u,ing claim for wife, whom dea
G had already released from the jurisdic,i'
% OF earthly laws, was so manifest. that
e was q, length agreed by all parties
% leave the matter 10 be adjudsed by Fl
% referees.
y I, was on bright and beautiful nor
4 ing in spring. that we frs, met 10 he
10 this singular case. The sunlight s,rea,
ed through the dusty windows of I
cour. room and shed halo around I
10 long grey locks and broad forehead Of !
10 defendant; while the plaintiff . har
ke features were thrown into still holder
q lief BY The same beam which soften
lie the placid coun,enance Of his adverssI
IN The plaintiffs lawyer made a most 9
ay qusnt appeal for his client. and bad
he no, been better informed about the m
ne ter, our hearts would have been melt
zee by his touching description Of The fetu
81 of the ,lesola,e husband. aud tho ago
= Il VI.