Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-09-01
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
most extreme beauty, he endeavored to i'm
prove their acquaintance with friendship.
Afaer some month he offered his hand
and was accepted, As the wife of sue
cessiul merchant, she soon found herself in
the enjoyment of comforts and luxures
such as she had never possessed, Her
children became his children and received
from him every advantage which wealth
and affection could procure.
Fifteen years passed away the daugh-
tetS married; and by their step-tather were
furnished with every comfort requisite in
their new avocation Of house Keepers. But
they had hardly quilted his roof when their
mother was taken i'll. She died after few
days, and from that time until the period
of which / speak, the widower resided with
the youngest daughter. So ..n
Now comes the strangest part of the
story. Attec an absence of over thirty
years, during which time no tidings had
ever arrived from him, the first husband
arrived as saddenly as he had departed.
He had changed ships, and adopted an
other name, and spent the whole of that
long period on the ocean, with other tram
sient visits on shore, while taking IN or dis
charging carcoes, having been careful never
to come nearer home Than New Orleans
Why he had acted in this objectionable
manner towards his family, no one could
tell, and he obstinately refused all explana-
ton. .. ..r
There were strange rumors Of slave tra-
ding and piracy ahoat, but they were only
whispers of conjecture rather than truth.
Whatever may have been his motives for
his conduct, he certainly was anything but
Indifferent TO his family concerns when he
returned. He raved like mad man when
Informed of his wife's second marriage, and
Subsequent death, vo"ing vengeance upon
his successor, and terrifying his daughters
by the most awful threats, in case they re-
fused TO acknowledge his claims. He re-
turned wealthy, and one of the mean rep
tiles of the law, who are always found
crawling about the halls of justice, advised
him to bring suit against the second hus-
band, assuring him that he could recover
damages. The absurdity of instituting a
claim for wife whom death had released
from the jurisdiction of earthly laws was at
length agreed to by all parties 10 leave the
matter to be adjudged by five referees.
1t was upon bright and beautiful after
noon in Spring, when we met to hear this
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 defendant
while the harsh features of the plaintiff
were thrown into still bolder relief, by the
same beam that softened the placid coun-
tenance of the adversary. aa
The plaintiffs lawyer made most elo-
qucnt appeal for his client, and 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 now
beheld his household gods removed to con-
secrate strangers hearth. The celebra-
ted Aaron Burr was counsel for the defend
ant, and we anticipated from him splen-
did display of oratory.
Contrary to our expectations, however,
Barr made no attempt 10 retute his oppo-
nent's oratory. He merely opened book
of statutes, and pointing with his thin fin.
ger to one OF the pages, desired the referees
to read it, while he retired for moment
for the principal witness.
We had scarcely finished the section
which fully decided the matter in oul
minds, when Burr re-entered with a tai
and elegant female leaning on his arm.-
She was attired in simple white dress
with wreath Of ivy leaves encircling hel
large bonnet, and large veil completed,
concealing her countenance. .-.
Burr whispered few words, apparently
encouraging her to advance, and ther
gracefully raising her veil, discovered tc
us face of proud surprising beauty. ] re
collect as we'll as if it were yesterday, how
simultaneously the murmer of admiration
burst from all present. Turning to tn
plaintiff, Mr.. Burr asked, in low, quie
{ tone .- ...l.f. --.......... .... b..
! .Do you know this lady'' lrf ...r.. ..
Ans.-'I do.' ..-
Burr.-'Will you swear TO that p
Ans.-'I will, to the best of my know
3 ledge and belief: she is my daughter
a Bur.-'Can you swear to her identity
E Ans.-1 cam fa
0 Burr.-'What is her agep
Ans.--'She was 80 years old on the GOT
: day of April.' aga. - a
9 Burr.-'When did you last see her.
o Ans.-'At her own house, about fort
e night since.' ...s .. ... 81
d Burr.-'When did you see her previov
It to that meetingp .l.......
e The plaintiff hesitated--a long pause er
o sued-the question was repeated, and tn
d answer then was,
y 'On the l4th day of May, H.
d 'When she was Just three weeks DID, az
n ded Burr. sGentlemen,' continued h.
,r turning to us, 81 have brought this lad
/ here, as an important witness, and such,
j. think, she is. The plaintiffs counsel hs
ct pleaded eloquently in behalf of the b
nj reaved husband, who had escaped the peri
e, of sea only to return and find his hon
Ja.oIata p,,t tuhn ,u,ll v,;ck,ra 10 x,o, Al