Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1849-06-06

bald, Who escaped the pers of the sea and return
ed only to find his home desolate But who will
pctnreto you the lonely wife bending over her daily
toll, dcpting her best years to the drudgery of sor-
did poverty, supported only by the hope of her hus-
bands 'eturn Who will paint the slow progress of
hearts ckening, the wasting anguish of hope deierr-
ed, and finally, the overwhelming agony which came
rpcn Lsr when her last hope was extingushed, and
compelled &c. believe herselfindeed Wild
rSNrsho can depict all this without awakening IN
your hearts, the warnest sympathy for the deserted
wife and the interest scorn for the mean pitiful
wretch, who could thus trample on the heart of her
whom he had sworn to love and cherish We need
not inquire into his motives for acting so base part.
Whether it was love of gain or RIGHTEOUSNESS, or
selfish Indifference it matters not he is too vile a
thing to be Judged by such laws as govern men,
Let lis ask the wtness-she who now stands before
lis with the frank, fearless brow of true hearted
woman-et us ask which of these two has been to
her father.
Turning to the lady, in tone whose sweetness
was in strange contrast with the scornful accent
which had lust characterized his words he besought
her to relate briefly the recollectons of her early
life. A slight flush passed over her proud and beau
tu face she replied:
"NIy first recoections of a small -furnished
apartment which my sister and myself shared with
my mother. She used TO carry out every Saturday
evening the work which had occupied her during
the week, and bring back employment for the fol-
lowing one. Saving that wearisome visit TO her
ployers and her regular attendance at church, she
never left the house. She often spoke of my father
and of the anticipated return but at length she ceas
ed to mention him, though observed she used to
weep more frequently than then thought
she wept because we were poor, for it sometimes
happened that our support was only bit of dry
bread and she was accustomed TO see by the light
Of the chips which she kindled to warm her famish-
ing children because she could not purchase can
die without deprviug of Our morning meal
SsMn@,5as our poverty Wien my notilcr contracted
a second marriage, and the change TO us was like
sudden entrance into Paradise. We found home
and father" She paused.
"Would you excite my own child against me
cried the plaintiff as he impatienty waved his hand
for her to be silent
The eyes of the witness flashed fire as she spoke
"You are not my father" exclaimed she vehement
y. "What, call you my father,-you who basely left
your wife TO toll and your children to beggary New
er! never Behold there my father" pointing TO the
agitated defendant, "thcrc is the man who watched
over my iniancy-who was the sharer of my child
ISL sports and the guardian of my inexperienced
youth. There is the man who claims my affection
and shares my home; there is my father For yon.
der selfish wretch | know him not. The best years
of his life have been spent in lawess freedom from
social ties let him seek elsewhere for the compan.
ion of his decrepude, nor dare Insult the ashes o.
my mother by claiming the duties of kindred from
her deserted children"
She drew her veil hastily around her as she spoke
and moved as if withdraw.
Gentlemen said Burr, 81 have no more to say
The words of the law are expressed in the book be
fore you the words of truth you have heard from
wonans pure lips; it is for you decide according
t5 the requsition of nature and the DEGREES of Jus
tioe."
need not say that our decision was in favor o
e @ Po 81 aE aG Tsp d Sn S %
at the trial.