Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-06-07

" AZ her own house, about fortnight
since"
"When did you last see her, previous to
that meetingl"
The plaintiff hesitated-a long pause en-
sued---the question was repeated, and the
answer at length was
con the 18th of May, 49,"
"When she was just three weeks DID,"
added Burr.
Gentlemen" continued he, turning to
us, Il have brought this lady here as an
important witness, and such think she is.
The plaintiffs counsel has pleaded eloquent
ly in behalf of the bereaved husband, who
escaped the perils Of the sea, and returned
only to find his home desolate. But who
will picture to you the lonely wife bending
over her daily toll, devoting her best years
to the drudgery of sordid poverty, supper
ted only by the hope of her husbands re-
turn?
"Who will paint the slow progress of
the heart-sickening, wasting anguish Of hope
deferred, and, finally, the overwhelming ag-
ony which came upon her when her last
hope was extinguished, and she was com
PEELED to believe herself indeed widow?
"Who can depict all this without awak-
ening in your hearts the warmest sympathy
for the deserted wife, and the utmost scorn
for the mean, pitiful wretch who could thus
trample on the heart of her whom he had
sworn to love and cherish
1--WE need not inquire into his motives
for acting so base part Whether it was
love of gain, or RIGHTEOUSNESS, or selfish
ness or Indifference, it matters not he is
too vile a thing TO be judged by such laws
as govern men. Let us ask the witness
she who now stands before us with the frank,
fearless brow of a true-hearted woman, let
us ask her which of these two has been to
her a father"
Turning to the lady, in a tone whose sweet
ness was in strange contrast with the scorn-
ful accent which had Just characterised his
words, he besought her to relate briefly the
recollection of her early life. A slight flush
passed over her proud and beautiful face,
as she replied
My first recollectons are of small, ill
furnished apartment, which my sister and
myself shared with my mother. She used
to carry out, on Saturday evening, the work
which had occupied her during the week,
and bring back employment for the follow
ing one. Saving that wearisome visit to
her employers, and her regular attendance
at church, she never left the house. She Of
ten spoke of my father, and of his anticipa-
ted return, but at length she ceased to men
ton him, though observed she used to
weep more frequently than ever. l then
thought she wept because we were poor, for
it sometimes happened that our only sup
port was bit of dry bread and she was
accustomed to see by the light of the chips
which she kindled to warm her furnishing
children, because she could not purchase a
candle without depriving us OF our morning
meal. Such was our poverty when my
mother contracted a second marriage, and
the change to US was like a sudden entrance
into Paradise. We found a home and a
father"
She paused.
would you incite my own child against
me?' cried the plaintiff, as he impatiently
motioned her to be silent.
The eyes of the witness flashed fire as
she spoke.
You are not my father" she vehement
ly exclaimed. "What call you my father I!
you who basely left your wife to toll, and
your children to beggary! Never never /!
Behold there my father" pointing to the
agitated defendant, there is the man who
watched over my infancy--who was the
sharer of my childish sports, and the guar
dian of my inexperienced youth. There is
he who claims my affection, and shares my
home there is my father. For yonder self:
ish wretch, | know him not The best
years of his life have been spent in lawless
, freedom from social ties let him seek else
where for the companion of his decrepi-
tude, nor dare insult the ashes of my moth
err by claiming the duties of kindred from
her deserted children"
She drew her veil hastily around her as
she spoke, and moved as if to withdraw.
Gentlemen" said Burr, 81 have nc
more to say. The words of the law are ex-
pressed in the book before you; the words
of truth you have just heard from woman:
pure lips it is for you to decide according
, 10 the acquisitions of nature, and to the de-
crees of justice"
need not say that our decision was il
favor of the defendant, and that the plaintiff
went forth followed by the contempt of CIV
cry honorable person who was present a
the trial.