Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-08-22

makes one think of treachery aud IN 'he course
of 4 LONG life have never met with frank and
honorable man to whom such a step was habltual
"Contrary to our expectations, however, Burr
made no attempt to cun(ute his opponents oratory
"He merely opened book OF statutes, and
pointinp with his thin fingers to one OF the pages
desired the referees to read it. while he retired
for a moment to bring IN the principal Wit9eSs.
We had scarcely finished the section which
fully decided the matter in our minds, when Burr
rs-eutered with tall aud elegant female leaning
on his arm. She was atlired in a simple white
dress. with wreath of ivy leaves enclrcllng her
lsrue straw bonnet. and a lace veil completely
cnncealinu her cuuntenance. Burr whispered a
few words, apparently encouraging her advance
and then gracefully raising her veil, disclosed 10
US face Of proud, surprising beauty. recolect'
as well as itt happened yesterdy, no" simu''
taneously the murmur Of admiration burst from q rne
Ers of all present Turning to plaintiff, Burr
asked in a cold, quiet tone
"Do you know this lady Z"
81 do"
"W i'll YOU swear to that?"
"Iwill; to the best of my knowledge and belle
she is my daughter"
! Can YOU swear to her identity.
81 cam
| "What is her age? z" j.. =,
"She was thirty years Of age on the twentieth
day of April"
| "When did you last see her?
cat her own house fortnight since"
..\Vhen did you last see her previous to thai
meeting 2"
"The plaintiff hesitated-a long pause ensned
the question was repeated, and The answer a
length was >,
"On the fourteenth Of May, IL"
"IVhen she was just three weeks DID," addet
Burr. "Gentleman' continued he, turning t'
rs. IL have brought this lady here as an lmpor'
,ant witness, and such, think, sheis. The PLAIN
tiff's counseI had pleaded eoquently In behalf
the bereaved husband, who escaped the Perlls
the sea, and returned only to find his home desc
late. Bat who will picture to you the lonely wife
bending over her daily toll, deyotlng her oss
years to the drudgery OF Sordld poverty, supported
only by the hope of her husbands return Wn'
will paint the slow progress OF heart sickness tht
wasting anguish of hope deferred. and the over
whelmiug agony which came upon her when ne
last bore was extinguished and she was compel
led to believe herself a widow? Who can deplc
all this without awakening in your hearts tht
warrnest sympathy for the deserted wife, and tht
Interest scorn fol the mean, pllul wretch, VIII
had sworn t. love aud cherish We need no TN
ouIre into his motives for acting SO base part.
Whatever it WAS love or gain, or licenilousnesS
or selEindulpence. it matters not he is too vile
( thing to be judged by such laws as government
! I et Ms ask the witness-she now stands before Il!
| with the frank fearless brow OF the true-hesrteC
| woman-let us ask her which of these two he:
been her father"
| Turning to the lady, in tone whose sweet
ness was in strange contrast with the scorntul ac
cent that had just characterized his words, he
besought her to relate briefly the recollectlons .
her early life. slight flush passed over he
p,oud aud beautiful face as she replied -,
My first recoIections are of small, ill-fur
| nshed apartment, which my sister and myse!
shared with my mother. She used to carry ou
/ every Saturday evening the work which had oc-
cupied her during the week, and bring back EN-
| povment for the following one. Saving tha
wearisome Welt 10 her employer, and her regular
attendance at church. she never left the house
| She often spoke of her father, and of his antlc
/ pated return. but at length she ceased to mention
| him, though observed she used TO weep more
! frequently than ever. then thought she wep
because we were 50 poor, for 1t would sometimes
happen tha t our only supper was bit OF dry
bread and she was accustomed 10 sew by the ugh
of the chips which she klndled TO warm her fam
ishing children. because she could not afford Il
purchase candle without depriying US Of oul
| morning meal. Such was my poverty when my
nother contracted second marriage, and the
| change to US was like sudden entrance into
Paradise. We found home and father"
She paused. >,
"Would you excite my own child against me ?''
cried the plaintiff as he impatIently waved his
hand for her to be silent.
.'The eyes of the witness flashed fire as he
spoke.
"You are not my father" exclaimed she, ,vehe-
mently. The law NAV deem you such, but
disolaiu you utterly. What call you my father ?
you, who basely left your wife to toll. and your
children to beggay2 Never never Behold
there my father" pointing to the agitated deien
dant, ''there is the man who watched over my
,nfancy-who was the sharer of my childish
sports, and the guardian Of my inexperienced
youth There is he who claims my affections
aud shares my home; there is my father. For
yonder selfish wretch, know him not. The best
years Of his life have been spent in swless free
dom from social ties let him GEEK elsewhere for
the companion of his decrepitude, nor dare insult
the ashes of my mother by claiming the duties Of
kindred from her deserted children"
She drew her veil hastily around her as she
spoke, and giving her hand to Burr, moved as if
to Withdraw.
''GedtIerea," !" said Burr, 81 have no more TO
say. The words of the law are expressed in the
book beiore you; the voice of truth you have just
heard from woman's pure lips; it is for you to
decide according to the acquisitions Of nature and
tho decree OF Justice"
Il need scarcely add that our decision was such
as to oyerwhelm The plaintiff with we'll merited
shame"