The true Democrat., 1854-11-01

ne Hau been a CapClVe among IHo AlScllHoS, who had so shamefully abused, and disti5ured him, as to give him the appearance of being at least twenty years older than he really was; and that it would be next to impossible for them to recognize him-that among other ill usage, he had suffered the loss of his tongue, and was unable to make any communications except by signs or writing.
 Who could this friend be, was the inquiry suggested to the mind of each, for many in the last few years, had suffered captivity; and it never once occurred to them that man who had been absent twenty years should make his appearance. After few moments Pierre in- quired who the returned might be. "You will hardly credit me-" "replied Jaques, "when say
 "Impossbe" exclaimed Pierre, unable to realize the fact
 "Is it possible?' inquired Melanie, with a calm composure, in which doubt was mingled with credulity, and an evident struggle in her mind between former and present affections.
 {" It is possible'' returned Jaques, "there is not "a shadow of doubt as to his identity. On his return, he immediately went to his own house, and inquired for Melanie He knew the old clock, which still stands in its accustomed place. He was familiar with my name, when it was pronounced, and recognized me at a glance. He related to me his whole history, and sad indeed is the tale of his woes.
 "Why did you not bring him along with you?" inquired Melanie.
 q thought it needful, first to apprise you of his return, said Jaques; "and how could 1 know what reception he would meet with?'
 "Could we receive him other than as an un- fortunate friend?' S i'd Pierre. "I will go my self, and bring him hither. But Melanie, how will you receive your former husband?-I will leave it with you my sweet wife, to determine which shall, in future, be your husband. As his long absence has been no fault of his, 1t is not for me to determine which has the best claim. You alone must choose between the two. So saying he arose and departed.
 Mcane alone, multitude of conflicting pas- sions agitated her bosom. She called to mind her first love, tender beyond any thing she had since realzed-the kindness, the devotedness of her former love; with this, she compared her subducd, but enduring attachment to her present husband--his unwearied attention and affection; and his moderation and justice not only to the children of her former husband, but also, toward that husband, himself, when his claims came in conflict with his own. Then her chidren-the children of either lord-how may they be affected by her deternination?- Should she renounce her present husband, she may fix the stain of bastardy upon his chil- dren The former husband may regard them as intruders in his house, and may even re- proach her with unfaithfulness She has no assurance in what light he may regard her sub- sequent marriage, or whether his affections may not be wholly alienated in consequence of it. Should she reject her former husband, she ,bolI rghts-she would seem to be treating him with neglect and cruelty, in consequence of his mis- fortune, which should rather call forth, not on- ly her pity, but her afectionate regard, in order to soothe his wounded spirit Then he had le- gal as we'll as moral rights-he was beyond all question her husband-the marriage had never been dissolved, except, by supposed death. His claims, at law, could not be disputed; and she must seem to put that law at defiance, should she reject him, and place herself in doubtful attitude before a censorious public. Not only has he an unquestionable claim to herself, but also to large property, and as Pierre has given most of that property to his children, he may be held responsible for it, and he, and his own children reduced to poverty. Then again. will her first children be satisfied with her rejection of their father?-.will the last be satisfied with the repudiation of theirs? An, how will these children stand affected toward her, and their respective fathers, in this weighty queston?- It would be proper, at least, to confer with them. Perplexed in thought she hastily arose, and dispatched servant to bid their immedi- ate attendance.
 Scarcely had her children arrived, when Pierre, also, made his appearance, accompanied by Jaquas, and her former husband.
 She had resolved in her own mind to give him calm and digniied reception, though kind; and fully assure herself of his identity, before she should assent to the fact, that he was her husband. Jaques, might, by possibi, lity, be mstaken-Pierre might also be deceiv- ed, as his open and generous disposition was li- able to lead him into error. She thought she should be better judge of the person of her former husband, than either oi those, who had stood only in the attitude of friends toward him. He might indeed be some vile impostor, | who knowing the circumstances of her hus bands departure and his great wealth, might personate him to get possession of his proper tv, and to bring her shame She would not be guilty of any indiscretion before her husband and children, for which she might afterwards 1 reproach herself. But alas, how feeble are hu- man resolves, How little can reason determine the effect. which certain influences, indetinable in themselves, may exercise over the heart and it's affections long pent up, and perhaps smoth- ed beneath other and conflicting sentiments-.I As soon as her eye rested upon the venerable man. apparently, pressed down beneath weight of years, and bearing upon his front marks of the most cruel usage-though she could not in that nasty survey recognize a single feature than she felt an irresistible impression that she was in the presence of her long lost husband Her heart was heaved to its nethermost depths and she felt herself drawn toward him by all uncomfortable impulse. Yielding to this inn pulse, she sprang forward, and threw her arms about her much loved, and long-lost lord He opened his arms to receive her, and their impassioned kisses evinced how tervently and faithfully they had loved. Locked in this ten der embrace, tears only gave utterance to the deep emotions of their hearts. Sympathlzing in their emotions, every eye was bedewed with tears.
 Melanie now presented her children-frst, the manly son, who, when a babe, had received | the parting kiss of the father-then his daugh- ter. born after his departure. When he had embraced these, and invoked upon them si-