Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-08-11
EVENING STAR
THE cHEcKER-woRK OF LIrE.

IdE ChkChEd-WUhk OF LIFE.
The discovery of the auriferous nature of the
soil of California, which has attracted to that
incognita terra so many enthusiastic adven-
turers, has produced the groundwork of many
| life dramas, of an interest in comparison 10
which fiction sinks into beggared insignif-
canoe. .. 80.
At the times when the tidings Of the occult
treasures existing in California were pro-
claimed in Paris, young resident of that vol
! atile city, named NJ. Descour, determined to
bid adieu to his family, consisting of young
! and beautiful wife, and an infant son, with
the, certainty of amassing a fortune in the
modern 0phir. - ... sr.sls.. 4
| To his wife the parting was like rending the
| ivy from the staunch tree TO which its tendrils
\ cling, and it was with the utmost reluctance
she finally aceeded to his departure, accom-
! panying him to the ship, and bidding him
| farewell In words rendered inarticulate BY
convulsive sobs Reaching his destination.
he forthwith went to the mines, and in about
two months he sent to his wife, who had takeI
up her residence with her father, $500. But,
as Mrs. Hale very truly says:
"Not every flower that blossoms
Diffuses sweet around
Not every scene Hope glds with light
Will fair be found -
For the poor fellows hopes were at once blast
ed by the receipt of letter, (the original, in
French, we read at Judge Stuart's Office } in
| forming him that his wife had fallen a victim
to the arts of a seducer, former intimate
| friend of her husband; that she had aban-
| doned her home, and was living near by at the
house of her paramour Crushed in spirit and
| with broken heart, the husband toiled for
two long years in the mines, when, having ac.
cumulated $4,000. he relinquished his toll
and embarked for Fraoce. Arriving at the
house of his father-in law, he received another
| shock by the announcement of the fact that
| his faithless wife and her paramour had Quit
ted France for some port in South America,
| taking with them his son. He determined to
pursue them, and with this view embarked
for the city Of Valparaiso, where he soon ar
rived. But notwithstanding the most diligent
| inquiries he did not find the fugtiyes there
He went thence to Rio Janeiro, and to many
other South American ports, but his search
was frultless and a few months since he ar
rived in New York, despairing of ever again
behOlding either wife or SON.
About week ago however while walking
through William street, in this city. he was
startled by meeting, face to face, his long lost
wife. The sudden pallor which oyersprea
her features, and the spasmodic effort by which
she preserved her presence of mind, assurei
him that he was known, although she passel
him without recognition; and he, fearful that
she might elude him, followed her to No AZ
Rose street. where she was residing with her
paramOur, 3 clothing manufacturer, named
Frederick Dippel. A scene there ensued of
earnest entreaty on his part, of appeals to by
gone days OF rosy pleasure, to earlier happi-
ness, to the copious tears she shed at their
separation; and, on her part, of stern refusal.
OF disgust to has person, and determination
TO continue her unwedded connection with
Dippel, rather than return to him
The miserable husband, finding entreaty of
DO avail, sued out q writ Of habeas corpus ON
Wednesday, before City Judge Stuart, in or
der that be might at least obtain the guardian
ship OF his son, now fine boy about seven
years OF age. The child was accordingly pro-
duced, and the mother, with a concourse of
female neishbors, appeared by the Judge in
his private office. The facts as we have
stated them, were admitted, but she pleaded
in extenuation that her husband had su oiectad
her to Ill treatment which was subsequently
proved TO have been utterly false Tie only
redeeming feature of her case was the remark
able devotion she manifested towards her
child. He had evidently been the REGIMENT
OF the most unwearied attention on her part.
and was also much attached to the man with
whom she lived, always addressing them as
father and mother. The person to whom he
really owed his paternity was of course a
stranger to him, and was evidently regarded |
with aversion and distrust. The Judge then |
determined to take a day for reflection, and |
adjourned the case |
Meanwhile counter suits were brought
against NJ. Descour for abandonment and Far |
i'll treatment, both of which were dismissed- |
the plaintiff counsel, a very skilful legal |
gentleman, with very uneuphonious name.
Chew Snebley, proving by the mother herself |
the falsIty of the charges Besides this trou-
bic, NJ. Descour received severe castigation
at the hands of one of Dipple's employees.
because he endeavOred to obtain another ia.
terview with his recreant wife, in hope of /
moving her heart to pity his forlorn con6i- |
tion.
The Judge, when the case was again called
exerted all his eloquence in endeavoring to in
duce Mrs. 'Descouf to resume the path of yir-
tue, as her husband was willing to overlook
the past, and receive her again as the wife of /
MS bosom but she persisted in her determiu-
alton to continue with her paramour, and go
amount of reasoning could shake her i'm this
resolve. Then Judge Stuart's duty was plain.
Ii only remained for him TO pronounce his de.
cision, that the child must Be surrendered IN |
the guardianship of its father.
When the Judge delivered this decision the
mother became almost wild. She clasped the
,hild frantically TO her bosom, declaring that
hey should not be parted, and the child closed
ais tiny arms with all his might around his
mother S neck, and wept bitterly at the thought
II parting Win her ana going with his father, |
who, to him, was repulsive stranger The
United shrieks Of the mother and child were
most piteous TO hear. The broken-hearted !.
ather stood on one side, betraying by his com.
'ressed lips and rapidly heaving bosom the
errible emotions which were agitating him.
md which, despite his manly exertions 90
uppress them, found vent in unwilling tear.
The tsbleau presented was deeply affecting, SO
much so that some of the spectators, unable TO
witness 50 painful a sight, retired from the /
Dom in tears. Even the Judge BETRAYED deem q
motion; but, In view of the facts of the case {
q view Of the life of the mother-he felt il his &
uty, In accordance with the law, TO decide as I
e had. Then followed the stern duty of the |
.g. The arms of the child, elutching conyul-
lvely to the neck Of its mother, were forcibly 7
etached, and he was borne screaming to q Q
arriage with his father, leaving the motI er
state of mental agony bordering on the
erge of insanity.
Thus endeth chapter in actual life. where
l the gold-demon has violated the sanctity of .
home, broken up an attached family, aad
rlven tender husband and father a wan !
erer about the world. And the seducer,
hat OF him When all the wrongs that have |