The true Democrat., 1854-11-01
MORNING, NOVEMBER 1, 1854.

dignant at the act, the Merchant stoutly resist ed and having recourse to his staff, soon put the servant to flight. Interrupted by the up- roar, the master of the house hastened to the scene of action, but beholding venerable man bearing the marks of much i'll usage, approached him mildly and demanded what he desired. The Merchant opened his mouth, showed his ina bility to speak, and signfed his desire for pen, ink and paper These were brought him and he wrote, 'Melanie-bid her come" These words were unintelligble to the gentleman, and he sgnifed that he knew no Melanie. Impa- tiently he seized the pen, and again wrote My wife-my wife, Melanie-bid her to see me-" He was told again that Melanie was not there, and that no one there knew her. He again caught up the pen, with vehemence, and hurriedly wrote-"My Melanie, my wife not here! mo one know her, and this my house!- where is my Melanie?' The gentleman shook his head, and supposing the unfortunate man before him maniac privately sent for an off cer to take care of him.
 Receiving no satisfaction, the unhappy man resolved to seek, himself, the information he wanted, and with this view unceremoniously entered room, the door of which stood open near him; but everything in it was strange-the furniture different, and differently arranged from what he had been accustomed to behold. Por- traits hung upon the walls, and he approached them to learn if he might find his own beloved Melanie depicted there, but the features were strange to him. He stood a moment absorbed in thought, and utter disappointment and dejec- tion seemed to rest upon his care-worn features; then, turning himself to leave the room, in one corner he discovered clock, which had been his own, and which he immediately recognized. He seemed transported with joy at the sight, and eagerly approaching It, stroked 1t with his hands, He opened the door of the case, and after examining it, again closed the door, and turning to the occupant made signs that 1t was his When he first observed his actions at the clock the gentleman of the house felt the more convinced that the man before him was labOrine under some mental derangement; but when he made signs that it was his, he then recollected that the clock had come to him with the house and he now imagined that the supposed mad man had been a former occupant, and prudent lv resolved that as he now exhibited no signs of violence, he would patiently bear with him till the officer should arrive He seemed desirous of entering other rooms, but the gentleman gently restrained him, and desiring him to be seated, sent for his wife. As she approached, the Mer- chant respectfully arose and sautcd her with much dignity, which greatly prepossessed them in his favor Inquiry was now made of her, if she had ever heard of a lady occupying the house whose name was Melanie. She had no recollection of such name. Straightway it occurred to them to send for an elderly gentle. man, who had resided in the neighborhood many years.
 When they pronounced the name of Jaques the Merchant started at the familiar name and taking the pen which lay upon the table, demanded if they knew Jaques. They replied they did, and would send for him.
 After the lapse of some minutes Jaques ap- peared, and the captive of many years, resting his gaze moment upon him, recognized him and overioved at the sight of one, who, in for mer days, had been his friend, he hurriedly ap- preached him, and throwing his arm about him impressed fervent kiss upon his cheek. Ia ken by surprise at this warm greeting, so unex- pected, Jaques fixed his gaze intently upon the man. in the endeavor to recall his features, but n vain. He then demanded who he might be-.
 The Merchant made signs that they should approach the table and taking the pen wrote "Marc-know you him?'
 q once knew such man, and he lived in IulS \ti Houoo, ioPiiOu c'i"O', ""o fAO Ai''' been dead these twenty years"
 "Where died he?'' wrote the Merchant.
 "He sailed for the Levant, and as he never wrecked. or had foundered at sea, Of else that she had fallen into the hands of the Corsairs Inquiry was made for him in all the ports of Barbarv, and heavy ransom offered for his re- lease, but he was never heard from, and 1t was L 1ol +botb bo, 1 aol Hic wife suffered much grief on his account, and at last was thrown into lingering illness, that we'll nigh proved fatal.
 As he listened to this story, the merchant was moved to tears. Then taking up his pen he wrote,- -"Marc is not dead-lam he-where Is my wife?''
 "You are Marc?" inquired Jaques with hesi- taton and doubt.
 'I am the man." returned the other-'thls house Is mine-where is my wife, that may see herr"
 "Ah," said Jaques, ''she lives in this city, but she is no more your wife,"
 No more my wife!-why do you say no more my wife?''
 "She is married to another," responded Ja- ques, "and she cannot be the wife of you, and of Pierre - alsO"
 Pierre -, you say my Wife, the wlfe of Pierre?"
 "Yes," returned Jaques, she is his wife and good husband he is, and he has been so much a father to your children, that they pass by his name, and few now know they are not his children.''
 These words seemed to pierce the very soul of the sufferer He hid his face in his cloak, and remained sometime, seemingly absorbed in thought and grief the most intense. The spec tators were silent, and touched with pity At length, recovering himself little, he arose and paced the floor back and forth with much ag- taton He had been captive and sufferer twenty long years, and now regainng his native home, he finds his house occupied by strangers, his wife married to another, and his very name likely to be plotted from remembrance by hls children assuming that of step-father Wlll they recognize him? Will they respect his right? Or will they cast him off as vle im- poster? Is he not liable to be elected from ms own roof, and turned penniless upon the world' while others riot in the enjoyment o1 ms am- pie fortune? Why was he not content to re- main slave rather than suffer this last stroke of r,;sfortune the greatest of all to sensitive