Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-09-27

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Informed of his wife's second ma
lriage and subsequent death, voKiu
h vengeance upon bis successor, an
! terrifying his daughters by the mos
! awful threats, in case they refused I
, acknowledge bis claims.
! Hs had returned wealthy, and on
, Of those mean reptiles of the as
; who are to be found crawling abou
the halls of justice, advised him t
bring suit against The second husband
assuring him that he could recove
heavy damages. The absurdity 0
instituting claim for q wife, whom
death had already released from tht
jurisdiction Of earthly laws was st
manifest that it was at length
agreed by all parties to leave the
matter to be adjudged by five re-
ferees.
1T was on a bright and beautiful
afternoon in spring, that we first met
to hear the singular case. The sun
Light streamed through the dusty
windows of the court room, and shed
a halo around the long grey locks
and broad forehead Of the defendant,
while the plaintiffs harsh features
were thrown into still bolder relief
by the same beam which softened
the placid countenance of bis adver-
sary. sre
The plaintiff S lawyer made a most
eloquent appeal for his client, and had
We not been better informed about the
matter, our hearts would have been
melted by bis touching description
Of the return of the desolate husband,
aud the agony with which be now
beheld bis household gods removed to
consecrate a strangers heart.
The celebrated Aaron Burr was
counsel for the defendant, and we
anticipated from him splendid dis
play of oratory. I had never before
seen him, and shall certainly never
forget my surprise at bis appearance.
Small in person but remarkably |
well formed, with an eye as quick and
brilliant as an eagles, and a brow
flrrowed by care far more than time,
be seemed q very different being |
from the arch-traitor and murderer
| had been occasio1ed to consider him.
His voice was one Of the finest /
ever heard, and the skill with which
be moduiated it, the variety Of its
tones, and the melody Of its cadenees,
we're inimitable. /
But there was one popularity about
him, that reminded me of the depth
IF darkness which lay beneath that
air surface. You Will smile when I
ell you that the only thing I disliked
~ bis step. He glided rather than
walked; his foot had that quiet, steal.
by movement, which involuntarily
makes one think of trsachery; and
q the course Of a long life, have
lever met with q frank and honorable
nan to whom such a step was habit
aal. sT 3g
Contrary to our expectations, how
,ver, Burr made no attempt to confute
lis opponents oratory.
He merely opened a book Of stat
ties, and pointing with his thin fingers
% one ef the pages desired the
:eferees to read it, while he retired
or moment to bling in the principal
Witness.
we had scarcely finished the sestion
which fully decided the matter in our
minds, when Burr re-entered with
all and. elegant female leaning on
his arm. She Was attired in a simple
white dress, with a wreath of ivy
caves encircling her large straw bon
net, and q lace veil completely con-
,ealing her countenancs. Burr
. few words, apparently
encouraging her advance; and then
gracefully raising her veil, disclosed
o US q face of proud, surprising beau
". ] Irecollect, as well as if it had
yesterday, how simulta-
1eously the murmur of admiration
ourst from the lips Of all present
Turning to the plaintiff BUR- asked
n a cold quiet tone
do you know this ladyF
lido
.Will you swear to that7'
4 will; to tho best Of my knowl-
edge and belief she is my daughter
Can you swear to her IDENTIFY i
lean +
what is her age.'
She was thirty years of age on the /
twentieth day of April 4
when did you see herr