Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-06-13
A TRuE STORY

Many years ago happened to be one Of
the referees in a case that excited unusual
interests in our courts from the singular ma.
ture Of the claim, and the strange story
which it disclosed The plaintiff who was
captain Of ship which traded principally
with the West Iudies, had married quito ear.
" with every prospect of happiness. Ills
wife was said to have been extremely beau
tiful. and no less lovely in her character
After living with her in the most uuintcr-
ruptsd harmony for FIVE years, during which
time two daughters were added to the fam
ily. he suddenly resolved to resume his oc-
cupation, which no had rolinquishci on his
marriage, and when his youngest child was
but three weeks old, sailed once moro for
the West Indies His wife. who was dcYo-
tedly attached 10 him, souowcd deeply at
his absence, and found her only comfort in
the society Of the children and the hopes Of
his return. But month after month passed
away and be came not, nor did any letters,
those insufficient but welcome substitutes
arrive TO cheer her solitude Months length.
cned into years, yet no tiiincs wore recciy-
ed from the absent husband and after h0-
ping against hope the unhappy woman was
compelled TO believe that he had found a
grave beneath the weltering ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt, but
the evils Of poverty were now added TO her
Affections aud the widow found herself OBJ
hged to resort to some employment 10 order
20 support her children. Her needle was
tho only resource and for ten years she ia,
bored early and late for the miserable pit.
lance which is ever grudginely bestowed on
an 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
most extreme beauty, ho ondeavored 70 i'm
prove their acquaintance with friendship.
After some months be offered h.s hand
and was accepted As the vito Of sue
cessful merchant, she soon found herself d.
tho endowment Of comforts and luxuries such
as she had never possessed Her children
became his children and received from bin
every advantage which wealth and affection
could procure.
Fifteen years passed away The daughter
married and by their step-fathcr were fur.
uishcd with every comfort requisite iu thci
new avocation Of house keepers Eut the.
had hardly Quilted his roof when their moth
or was taken i'll She died after o few day
and from that time until the period ofvhie
speak, the widower resided with the young
est daughter
Now comes the ssranrcst part Of the sto
~. After an absence Of over thirty year.
during which time no tiiincs bad arrive
from him. the first husband returned as sud
denly as he had departed
He had changed ship, adopted ano,hc
name and spent the whole Of that long per
cd on the ocean. with but transient visit
on shore while taking in or dischsrging car
goes having been careful never TO com
nearer home than New Orleans Why d
bad acted in this objectionable manner to
wards the family, no one could tell aud b
obstinAiely refused all explanation.
There were strange rumors Of slave tr
ding and piracy ahoat, but they wcro 1u'
whispers OF conjecture rather than TIE tIt
Whatever might have been his motives &
his conduct he was certainly any ,'..g D.
indifferent 10 his family concerns when p
returned he ravei Ike a mailman wh,
Informed Of bis witcs second marriage an
Subsequent death, vowinc death upon p
successor, aud terrifying his daughters c
tho most awful thrcsts iu case thrv rcfus,
10 aekuowledge his claims IT, hld reur
ed wealthy. aud one Of the u.-1 reptiles
the law who arc alWasr g. be found ,na
ing shout the halle ll--c, r4'ls, E
b. bang . Sd, -g---- o.. -.----