Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-06-14
A TRUE STORY.

Many years ago happened to be one
OF the referees in case that excited unu-
sual interest in our courts, from the sim
gular nature of the claim, and the strange
story which it disclosed. The plaintiff
who was captain of a ship which traded
principally with the West Indies, had mar
ried quite early with every prospect Of
happiness. His wife was said to have
been extremely beautiful, and no less love-
ly in her character.
After living with her in the most unin-
terrupted harmony for FIVE years, during
which time two daughters were added to
the family, he suddenly resolved to re-
sumo his occupation which he had relin-
pushed OH his marriage, and when his
youngest child was but three weeks old,
sailed once more for the West Indies
His wife who was devotedly attached to
him, sorrowed deeply at his absence, and
found her only comfort in the society Of
the children and the hopes ofshis return.
But month after month passed away and
he came not, nor did any letters, those in
sufficient but welcome substitutes, arrive
to cheer her solitude. Months lengthen-
ed into years, yet no tidings were receiv-
ed from her absent husband, and after hop
ing against hope the unhappy wife was
compelled TO believe that lie had found q
grave beneath the weltering ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt, but
the evils of poverty were now added to
her Affections, and the widow found her
self obliged to resort to some employment
in order to support her children. Her
needle was the only resource, and for ten
years she labored ear y and late for the
miserable pittance which is ever grudg-
ingly bestowed on an humble seamstress.
A merchant in New York, in moderate
but prosperous circumstances, accidental
ly became acquainted with her, and pleas
ed with her gentle manners no less than
her NEST extreme beauty. he endeavored
to improve their acquaintance with friend
ship.
After some months he offered his hand
and i: was accepted. As the wife of sue
cesslul merchant, she soon found herself
In the enjoyment of comforts and luxuries
such as she had never possessed. Her
children became his children, and receiv-
ed from him every advantage which wealth
and affection could procure.
Fifteen years passed away-the dauph-.
tiers married, and by their step-father were
furnished with every comfort requisite in
their new avocation as house-keepers.-
But they had hardly quilted his roof when
their mother was ill. She died after
few days, and from that time until the per-
iod of which | now speak, the widower
r"svabre v6itthli tAlh G. Youngest daughter.
story. After an absence o. thirty Years 4 rs
during which time no tidings had arrived
from him, the first husband returned as
suddenly as he had departed.
He had changed his ship, adopted ano-
Their name, and spent the whole Of that
long period on the ocean, with other tram
silent visits on shore, while taking in or
discharginy cargoes, having been careful
never to come nearer than New Orleans.
Why he had acted in this objectionable
manner to his family, no one could tell,
and he obstinately refused all explanation.
There were strange minors Of slave
trading and piracy afoat, but they were
only whispers Of conjecture rather than
truth. Whatever might have been his
motives for this conduct, he was certainly
anything but Indifferent to his family con-
Germs when he returned. He raved like
a mailman when informed Of his wife's Sc
cond marriage, and subsequent death, VOW
ing vengeance upon his successor, and ter
rilying his daughters by the most awful
threats, in case they refused to acknowl-
edge his claims. He had returned veal
thy, and one Of the 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 him that he could recover heavy
damages. The absurdity Of instiluting a
claim for a wife whom death had released
from the jurisdiction Of earthly laws was
so manifest, that it was at length agreed to
BY all parties to leave the matter TO be adj
iusted by five referees.
1t was a bright and beautiful afternoon
in Spring when we met TO hear this singu-
lar case. The sunlight streamed through
the dusty windows ST the courtroom, and
shed halo around the long grey locks
and broad forehead OF the defendant while
the plaintiffs harsh features were thrown
into still! holder relief, by the same beam
which softened the placid countenance of
the adversary.
The plaintiffs lawyer made most elo-
quent appeal for his client, land had we not
been informed about the matter, our hearts
would have been melted by his touching
description of the return of the aesolate
husband, and the agony with which he now
beheld his household goods removed TO
consecrate strangers hearth. The eel
ebraied Aaron Burr was counsel for the
defendant, and we anticipa' ed splendid
display of oratory from him.
Contrary to our expectations, however,
Burr made no attempt TO conlute his OPP
ponent's oratory. He merely opened a
book of statutes, and pointing with his thin
finger to one Of the pages, desired the re-
lerees 10 read it, while he retired for a
moment, for the principal uitness.
We had scarcely finished the section
which fullydecidedhe matter in our minds
when Burr re-entered with tall and ele'
gan. female leaning on his arm. She was
alfred in simple white dress, with a
wreath OF ivy leaves eacircling her large
straw bonnet, and lace veil completely
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