Litchfield enquirer., 1839-07-04
A TRUE STORY.

ct the referees in a case which excited mi vofsal interest in our courts from the sin gular nature of the claim and the strang story which it disclosed. The plaintiff who was captain of a merchant ship whicl traded principally with the West Indies had married quite early will, every pros pect of happiness. His wife was said |, have been extremely beautiful, and no les lovely in character.
 After living with her in the most unip' terrupted harmony for five years, during which time two daughters were added t6 his family, he suddenly resolved to resume hts occupation, which he had relihquisked on his marriage, and when his youngest child was but three weeks old, sailed once more for the West Indies. His wife who was devolecly attached to him, so,rowcd deeply 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 insufficient but well come substitutes, arrive to cheer her soli- tude. Months heightened iuto years, yet no tidings were received of the absent hus- band and after long hoping aginst hope, the unhappy wife was compelled to believe he had found grave beneath the welterine nccan.
 Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt, but the evils of poverty were now added 10 hei aftliction, and the widow found herself obli- ged to resort to some employment in or der to support her children. Her needle was her only resource, and for ten years she labored early and late for the misera- bie pittance which is ever grudgingly be- slowed on humble seamstress.
 A merchant in New York, in moderate but prosperous circumstances, accidentally became acquainted with her, and pleased with her gentle manners no less than her extreme beauty, endeavored to improve their acquaintance with friendship.
 And after some months, he offered her his hand, and was accepted. As the wife of a successful merchant, she soon found herself in the enjoyment of the comforts of luxnrics, such as she had never before pos- sessed. Her children became his children, and received from him every advantage which wealth and affection could procure.
 Fifteen years passed away; the daugh- ters married, and by their step-father were furnished with every comfort requisite in their new avocation of house keepers But they had scarcely quilted his roof, when their mother was taken ill. She died after few days sickness, and from that time until the period of which I speak, the widower resided with the youngest daugh. ter.
 
 Now comes the strangess part ofthe sto. ry. After an absence of thirty years, du- ring which time no tidings had been re- ceived from him, the first husband return ed as suddenly as he had departed.
 He had changed his ship, adopted anoth. CT name, and spent the whole of that long period on the ocean, with only iransient visits on shore, while taking in or discharg- ing cargo; having been careful, never to come nearer home than New Orleans Why he had acted in this unpardonable manner towards his family, no one could tell, and he obstinately refused all explana- ton.
 There were strange rumors of sIave-tra ding and piracy aaoat, but they were only whispers of conjecture rather than truth.-- Whatever might have been his motives for such conduct, he was certainly any thing but indifferent t0 his family concerns when he returned. He raved like madman when informed of his wife's second nsar- riage and subsequent death, vowing ven- geance upon his successor, and terrifying his daughters with the most awful threats in case they refused to acknowledge 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, advised him to bring suit against the second husband. assuring hiw that he could recover heavy damages.-- The absurdity of instituting clain, for a wife whom death had already released from tho jurisdiction of earthly laws was so man. ifesi, that it was at length agreed by all parties to leave the matter to be adjudged by referees.
 It was a bright and beautiful afierhson in spring, when we met to hear this sihgd- lar case. The sunlight 'sireamed through the dusky windows of the court room, and shed halo around the long grey locks and broad forehead of the defendant; while the plaintiffs harsh features were thrown into s,ilt bolder relief, by the same beam which softened the placid counienance oi his adversary.
 The plaintiffs lawyer made most elo- quent appeal for his client, and had we not been informed about the matter, our hearts would have been melted by his touching de- scription of the return of the desolate lns- band, and the agony with which he now be- held his household gods removed 10 eonse- crate strangers hearth. The celebrated Aaron Burr was counsel for the defendant, and we anticipated from him splendid display of oraiory.
 Contrary to our expectation, however, Burr made no attemp. to confute his opPo- nent's oratory. He merely opened book of statutes, and pointing with his thin iin-