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

Many years ago happened to be
one of the referees in a case that ex-
cited unusual interest in our courts,
from the singular nature Of the claim,
and the strange story which it dis
closed. The plaintiff, who was cap
tain of a ship which traded principally
with the West Indies, had married
quite early with every prospect of
happiness. His wife was said to have
been extremely beautiful, and no less
lovely in her character.
After living with her in the most
uninterrupted harmony for five years,
during which time two daughtcrswcrc
added to the family, he suddenly re.
solved Ito resume his occupation,
which he had relinquished on his mar
1iagc, and when his youngest was
but three weeks old, sailed once more
for the West Indies. His wife, who
was devotcdly attached to him, sor.
rowcd deeply at his absence, and
found her only comfort in the society
of the children and the boz es of his
return But moTssSl " month pas
sed away and he )camc not, nor did
any letters, those insufficient but vel
come substitutes, arrive to cheer her
solitude. Months Heightened into
years, yet no tidings were received
from tho absent husband; and after
shopping against hope, the unhappy
. wife was compelled e believe that he
had found a grave beneath the ws!tcr,
ing ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and hcqr~rclt,
but the evils of poverty we're now adj
ded to her Affections, aud the widow
found herself obliged to resort to some
employment in order to support her
children. Her needle was the only
resource, and for ten years she labor
cd early and late for the miserable
pittance which is ever grind gingly be-
slowed on an humble scamstrcss.
A merchant in New York, in mod
crate but prosperous circumstances,
accidentally became acquainted with
her, and, pleased with her gentle
manners no less than hS~ most cx-
treme beauty, he cndca3orcd to i'm
prove their acquaintance Wltl lend
ship.
After some months, he Offered his
hand and it was accepted, AS the
wife of a successful MERCHANT, she
soon found herself in tile enjoyment
Of comforts and luxuries au&h rs she
had never possessed. Herr children
became his children. and received
from him every advantage which
wealth and affection could procure.
Fifteen years passed away; the
daughters married, and by their step
father we're furnished with every conn
fort requisite in their new invocal
of housekccpers. But they had
hardly quilted his roof when their
mother was i'll. She died after a few
days, and from that time until the
period of which l speak, the widowcr
resided with the youngest daughter.
Now comes the strangcst part Of
the story. After an absence of over
thirty years, during which time no
t!dings had arrived from him, the first
husband returned as suddenly as he
had departed.
lie had changed his ship, adopted
another name, and spent the whole OF
that long period on the ocean, with
other transient visits on shore, while
taking in or discharging cargocs, hay
ing been careful never to come nearer
home than New Orleans. Why he
acted in this unpardonablc manner to-
wards the family, no one could tell
and he obstlnatcly refused all cxpla
ton.
There were strange rumors ofslave
trading and piracy aii2Rt. but they
were rather whispers Of conjecture
t,an truth. Whatever might have
hc2u his motNc for his conduct, he
was certainly Uue .Iiur bat Indifferent