The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-07-18
A TRUE STORY

A TRUE STORY. /
Many years ago happened to be one Of
the referees in case which excited unusual
interest incur courts, from the singular ma
ture Of the claim, and the strange story which
il disclosed. The plaintiff who was captain
Of . merchant chip, which traded principally
with the West Indies, had hurried quite early |
With every prospect ofhappiness. His wife
was said to have been extremely beautiful,
and no less lovely in character.
After living with her in the most uninter-
rupted harmony for five years, during which |
time two daughters were added to his fami- |
ly, he suddenly resolved to resume his oc-
cupation, which he had relinquished on his |
marriage, and when his youngest child was
but three weeks old, sailed once more for the |
West Indies. His wife, who was devotedlyi
attached to him, sorrowed deeply al his alb
sence, and found her only comfort in the so
ciety Of her children and the hope Of his re-
turn. But month after month passed away,
and he came not, nor did any letters, those
insufficient but welcome substitutes, arrive
to cheer her solicitude.s Months Heightened
into years, yet no tidings were received Of
the absent husband; and after long hoping
against hope, the unhappy vito was com
PEELED to believe that he had found grave
beneath the weltering ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt, but
the evils of poverty were now added 10 her
affection, and the widow found herselfobl;ged
to resort to some employment in order to
support her children. Her needle was her
only resource, and for ten years she labored
early and late for the miserable pittance
which is ever grudgingly bestowed on hum
BILE seamstress.
A merchant Of New York, in moderate
but prosperous circumstances, accidentally
became acquainted with her, and pleased
with her gentle mann ers no less than her ex-
IRENE beauty, endeavored to improve their
acquaintance with friendship.
After some months, he offered his hand,
and was accepted. As the wife of sue
cessful merchant, she soon found herself in
the enjoyment Of comforts and luxuries, such
as she had never before possessed. Her chill
dren became his children, and received from
him every advantage which wealth and af.
lection could procure. Fifteen years passed
away; the daughters married, and by their
step-father we're furnished with every COM
fort requisite in their new avocation Of house
keepers. But they had scarcely quilted his
roof, when their mother was taken i'll. She
died after a few days sickness, and from tina,
time until the period Of which speak, the
widower resided with the youngest daugh-
ter.
Now comes the.strangest part of the story.
After an absense Of thirty years, during
which no tidings had been received Of him.
the first husband returned as suddenly as he
! had departed.
/ He had cha nged his ship, adopted another
name, and spent the whole of that long pc:
Rod on the ocean, with only transient visits
on shore, while taking in or discharging car
: Igo; having been careful never to come near
er home than New Orlears. Wny he had
, acted in this objectionable manner toward:
his family, no one could tell, and he obsti
nately refused all explanation.
q There were strange rumors Of slave ira
! ding and piracy afioat, but they were onl,
: whispers of conjecture rather than TRUTH
i Whatever might have been his motives 70
Q such conduct, he was certainly any thin
but Indifferent to his family concers when b
8 returned. He rayed like a madman whe
e informed of his wife's second marriage an
Q subsequent death, vowing vengeance upo
9 his successor, and terrifying his daughter
!" by the most awful threats, in case they n
d fused to acknowledge his claims. He ha
g returned wealthy, and one of those mea
T reptiles of the law, who are always to
Q found crawling about the halls Of justice, az
u vised him to bring suit against the secon
II 8 n Al. Il n