The daily Minnesota pioneer., 1855-08-30
THE FEREE CASE.
An OLD GENTLEMAN STORY.


he by an aged and honorable member OF large fam
" connection; man who possesses an almost mex
austibIe fund Of legendary lore, and whose most III
eresting anecdotes and most comic tales are Dut rec
Elections of past scenes, OF which ne ca" say IN ''e
angrlage of Aeneas-'s quorum magma pars tm.
& Many yehrs ago." said Mr.. -",''i happen
Ia TO be one bf the referees in case which excited
nusual interest in courts, from the singular ma
ire of the cliim and the strange story which It DIS
osed.
The plaintiff, who was captain OF merchant
hip which traded principally with England and the
Nest Indies had married quite early in life, with ev-
nv prospect Of happiness His wife was said 10
ave been extremely beautiful, and no less lovely in
haracter.
After livin:, with her in the most uninterrupted
armony for five years, during which tlmeitwotaausn,
RS were added to his family, he suddenly resolved
! resume his occupation, which he had remquished
his marriage, and " hen his youngest child was
at three weeks old, sailed once more for the west
1dies.
His wife, who was devotedly attached to him, sor-
wed deepy at his absence, and found her only COM
r in the society of her children and the hope OF hls
turn. But month after month passed away, and he
ame not nor did any letters, those insufficient but
elcomc substitutes, arrive to cheer her solitude
Months heightened into years, yet no tidlngs were
ceved of the absent husband and after long hoping
sainst hope, the unhappy vile was compelled to be-
eve that he had found grave beneath the ocean,
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt, but the evils
poverty were added to her affliction, and the
idow found herself obliged to resort to some en-
oyment in order to support her helpless chi'dren-
er needle was her only resource, and for ten years
he labored early and late for miserable pittance
hch is ever grudgingy bestowed on the humble
eamstress.
A merchant in New York. in moderate but pros
bring circumstances, accidentally became acquaint-
b with her, and pleased with her gentle manners no
IS than her extreme beauty, endeavored 10 improve
cir acquaintance with friendship.
After some months he offered her his hand, and
as accepted. As the wife of a successful merchant
he soon found herself in the enjoyment oil comforts
hd luxures, such as she had never before possess
Her children became his children, and received
pm him every advantage that wealth ana aHectloh
|uld procure.
Fifteen wears passed away; the daughters lnarr'"
and by their step-father were furnished with ev-
Nv comfort requisite in their avocation OF house
Eepers But they had scarcely quilted his root
hen their mother was taken i'll. She died after a
~ days sickness, and from that time until the peri
b Of which speak, the widower had resided with
lie Youngest daughter.
Now comes the strangest part OF the story hner
absence of thirty years, during which time no It'd.
hos had been received from him, the hrst husband
eturned as suddenly he had departed. lie had
hanged his ship, adopted another name, and spent
he Whole of that iorg period the ocean, with only
ansient visits OH shore while taking in or dscharg-
By cargoes, having been CAREFUL also, never to come
earer home than New Orleans.
Wby he had acted in this objectionable manner
wards his family no could tell, and he oDstin-
kely refused all explanation. There were strange
nors of slave trading and piracy afloat, but they
ere only whispers Of conjecture, rather than truth
Whatever might have been his motives ior such
aduct he was certainly anything but indifferent to
is family concerns when he returned. lie raved
Ike a madman when informed OF his wlfes second
arriage and subsequent death, vowing vengeance
,.,I "a his
ost awful threats, in case they refused 10 acKnow-
tlge his claims.
lie had returned wealthy, and one OF these mean
kptes of the law, who are always TO oe louno cr'w
ng about the halls of Justice, advised HIM to DrnS
iit against the second husband, assuring him lhat
could recover heavy damages. Inc apsurolty o.
hstituting a claim for "A wife, whom death hao al
ady released from the jurisdiction OF earthly Laws
As 40 manifest that it was at length agreed by all
artes TO leave the matter be adjusted by referees
II was on bright and beautiful afternoon IN spring
,at we first met to hear this singular case. me
lnligh, streamed through the dusty wih"ows u one
Durt room and shed halo around the long grey
cks and broad forehead of the defendant; while the
iaintif' : harsh features were thrown into still
,lder relief. by the same beam which soitened the
acid countenance of his adversary.
The p.aiutiff s lawyer made most eloquent appear
Dr. his CLIENT and had we not been better informed
bout the matter our hearts would have been melted
his touching description Of the return OF the desc
lie husband, and the agony with which ne now be-
ED his household goods removed to consecrate
rangers hearth
The celebrated Aaron Burr was counsel for the de-
Enlant, and we anticipated from him splendid dis.
Law of oratory had never before seen him, and
nail certainly sevcr forget my surprise at his appear
nee.
Small in person, but remarkably we'll formed, with
eve as quick and brilliant as an eagle, and brow
rrowed by care far more than time, he seemed a
erv different being from the arch traitor and MUIR
prer had been accustomed to consider him. His
ice was one f the finest eyer heard, and the skill
th which he modulaed it, the variety OF its tones,
I'd the melody of its cadences, were inimltabie.
But there was one peculiarly about HIM that re-
inded me of the depths of darkness which lay be
cath that fair surface You will smile when ! tel G
ou that the only thing disliked was his step ne
ded rather than walked; his loot had that quiet
r. ea,hy movement which involuntarlly makes on oee
link Of ,reachnry; and in the course OF Iong me
have pever met with frank and honorable ma" "
hom such step was habitual.
Contrary to Our expectations. however, o"ri "It>
attempts TO confu,e his opponents oratory. t:,t
ereIy opened book Of statues, and pointing WIZ
is finger to OF the pages desired the referees &c
ad it, while he retired for moment to bring IN INT
incipal witness.