The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-09-12
SELECED TALES.
THE r N EREE C ASE
AN OLD GENTLEMAN's STORY.

TDs outline ofthe following sketch vas re-
Iased TO me by sn aged aud houored
pember OF alarge family connectiou;a man
VINO Possesses an almost inexhaustible
fund OF legendary lore, and Whose most
'ntereating anecdotes and most comic ,ales
are but recollections Of past scenes, OF
which no can say, IN the language o,
Aness, ,-4gsoram maga Fars fai."
MANY ycars ago." said Mr.. E, ~
happened TO DO one Of tLe referees Il, A
csse which excited unusual interest in our
course from the singular nature Of the
claim, and tho strange story which il dis.
closed.
"The plaintiG, who was n captain Of a
merchant ship which traded priucipallv
with England and the W.s. Iudiea' had
married quite early in life, with eyery
prospect Of happiness. His wife was said
70 have been extremely beautiful, aud no
less lovely in character.
After living with her in the most un.
interrupted harmony for five years, during
which time two daughters were added 70
his fsmils, ,he suddenly resolved to resume
his occupation which he had r.linauishe,I
on his marriage, and when his Youngest
child was but three weeks old. sailed
once more for tho West Iudies. ,-..-
His wife, who Was deyotedly attached
to him, sorrowed deeply at his absence.
and found her only comfort in the society
OF her childrrn and the hope Of bis return.
Bat month after month passed away, and
he came not nor did any letters. those
insufficient but welcome substitutes. arrive
70 cheer her solitude.
Months lengthenci into years, vet no
tiiin2s were received oftle absent hus-
han'i, and .dtef long hoping against hope
the uni'"lspy vile was compelled TO DO.
6svs shat hs had f,und n grave bsno..,l.
the weltering ocean.
Her soTr"w was deep and heartfelt,
but tho evils Of poverty were now added
t' her affection. aud the widow found
herself obliged TO resort to somo employ
in"nt, in order to support her helpless
children. Her needle was her "sly re.
source, and for ten years she laboreJ cariy
and late for the miserable pittance which
70 ever grudgingly bestowed oa the hum
ble afainstrcss.
.A msrchsnt in New York, in moderate
hut propcTing circumstance, accidentally
became acquainted with her, and pleased
with her gentle ,nanners no less than
her extreme beauty endeavored to improve
their acquaintance with fricnship.
AFTER some months he offered her his
hand and was accepted. AS the wife oi
asuccesfui merchant, she soon found her.
self IN the enjoyment OF comforts and
inxufi,s such rs she had never before
possesaed. Her children became his chill.
dEen. and received from him every nd.
vantage that wealth and affection could
procure.
'Ffteea years passed away; the daughters
saasvied, and BY their step father were
turnished with every comfort requisite in
their new avocalion Of housekeepers. Bat
they had scsscely Quilted bis rocs When
shcir inother was taken i'll. She died al
ter - few days sickness. and from thai
time until tho period ofwhich speak, ,the
vidowsr had resided with ths younges'
daneteg. ea
Nov comes the slransest part OF the
story. After an absence Of thicty years
during which time no tidings had bevu
received from him. the fret husband re-
tufncned as sud.leply ~ he hal departed
lie hadchaaged his p,adopted anothel
nsIus, aud spent the whole OF that long
period Of tine on the ocean, with only
trsnsieat waits on shore. while taking ia
OF discharging cargo; having been carcfn
alsa. never 70 Some nearer home thsu
New Orleans.
why he had acted in the unpardon.
able nsanner towards his family no one
coald ssll asd he obsiisately refused al
explanation. There were strange rumor,
Of slave trading and piracy afioat, bu
they wers only whispers Of conjectur,
rather than ruth.
-NVhstcyef snight have been his mo
tive for such conduct, be vas certaini,
anything but Indifferent 70 his fsasily con
essns when he returned. lie rayed liz,
snssdman when iafouned of his wife'
second marriage and Subsequent death
sowing vengsnce upon his ss,ccesecr, aus
tssfifyiag his daaghtes BY she most awfu
shseass ~ cxse they recessed to acknowi
eigs he claim.
1Hehad returned wealthy. and one Q
those p,san vepiiles of the law, who ar
always to bs found csAwling about th
balls AZ jessice, adyised him TO bring
epIt agsinst tho seeoad busbsad, sssurin,
him shat be could rseassr bsavy damages
Ehs a',sasdity cfins itntine 4 clairx for
.atFea ..f.a~.. l.a.L a.l 49,. -.