The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-09-11

itiS NcHScuuCc upoil Ills SuCCcSSOt,
and terrifying his daughters by the
most awful threats, in case they re-
fused to acknowledge his claims. He
had returned wealthy, and one of the
mean reptiles of the law who arc al
ways to be found crawling about the
halls of justice, advised him to bring
a suit against the second husband,
assuring him that he could recover
heavy damages. The absurdity Of
instituting a claim for q wife whom
death had released from the jurisdic-
ton of earthly laws, was SO manifest,
that it was at length agreed upon by
all parties to leave the matter to be
adjudged by five referees.
1t was upon bright and beautiful
afternoon in Spring when we met to
hear this singular case. The sun.
light strcamcd through the dusty
windows of the courtroom, and shed
a halo around the long, grey locks
and broad forehead Of the defendant
while the plaintiffs harsh features
wcrc thrown into still holdcr relief by
the same beam which softcncd the
placid countenancc of his adversary.
The plaintiffs lawyer made most
eloquent appeal for his client. and had
we not been informed about the mat
ter, our hearts would have been mel
ted by his touching description Of the
return Of the dcsolatc husband, and
the agony with which he now bcheld
his household gods removed to conse-
crate a strangers hearth. The cclc-
bratcd Aaron Burr was counsel for
the defendant, and we anticipated
from him splendid display OF ora
tory.
Contrary to our expectation, how.
ever, Burr made no attempt to con.
inte his opponents oratory. He
mcrciy srnHYi 4 iio - 't-tetntas. and
pointing with his thin Gnger 10 ono Of
the pages, desired the referees to read
it, while he retired for moment, for
the r,1ncipai witncs$.
We had scarcely finished the sec
ton, which fully decided the matter
in our minds, when Burr rc.cntcred
with u tall and elegant female leaning
on his arm. She was attircd in a
simple white dress, with wreath Of
ivy leaves cncircling her large straw
bonnet, and lace veil completely
conccaling her countenancc. Burr
whispered few words, apparently
encouraging her to advance, and then
gracefully raising her veil, discovered
to us face Of proud, surprising
beauty. | rccollcct as well as if it
happened yesterday, how simultanc-
ously the mmmur Of admiration burst
from the lips Of all present. Turning
to the plaintiff, Mr.. Burr asked, in a
cold, quiet tone
"Do you know this LADY,"
Answcr.-"I do.
Burr,-"W;ll you swear to that?'
Ans.-"I will: to the best of my
knowledge and belief, she is my
daughter
Burr.-"Can you swear to her
IDENTIFY"
Ans. can"
Burr.-"What is her agc?"
Ans.-"Shc was thirty years old
on the 20th day Of April"
Burr.-"When did you last see
herr"
Ans. eat her own house about a
fortnight since"
Burr. when did you see her
previous to that mcctngy'
The plaintiff hcsi,atcd-a long
\ pause cnsucd-thc question was re-
hcatcd, and the answer at length
was
"OnEhc oath day of May, IT"
"Whcn\ she was just three weeks
old" added Burr. "Gcntlcmcn," !"
continued he turning to us, 81 have
brought this lady here as an import.
ant witness. and such, | think, she is.
The plaintiffs counsel has pleaded
eloqucntly in, behalf Of the bcrcavcd
husband, who escaped the pcris of
the sea and returned only to find
his home dcsolatc.J But who will pic.
tue to you the lonely wife bending
over her daily toll, Hcvotng he: best
years to the drud@nry of sordid pov-
vcrty, supported ohiy By the hope
her husband's return? Who wnl
pant the slow progress of hcart-sick-
| cnng, the was ing anguish of hope
! deferred, and hnaIv, The ovcrwhclm-
ing agony which came upon her when
her last hope was cXtmguished, and
she was compelled TO believe herself
iadecd a widow? Who can depict
all this without awakening in your
hearts the warmcst sympathy for the
deserted wife md tbo uttcrcst scorr