Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-09-27
THE REFEREE CASE:
IN Cid Centleman'S Ntery.

Ine Out,lDe Oh the 1oloWlng Sxet
was related to me by an aged Al
n honored member Of q large fami
q connexion; a man who possesses ,
!. almost inexhaustable fund of lege
. dary lore, and whose most interestir
:. anecdotes, and most comic tales, a
but recolectioas of what he has see
: MANY years ago. said Mr.. E.
4 happened to be one of the rsferet
in a case, which excited unusual inte
est in our courts. from the singuls
nature of the claim, and the strang
|story which it disclosed.
The plaintiff; who was captain q
a merchant ship which traded princi
pally with England and the Wes
Indies, had married quite early in lif
with every prospect Of happiness
His wife was said to have been ex
tremely beautiful, and no less lovely
in character.
After living with her in the mos'
uninterrupted harmony for five years
during which time two daughters were
added to his family, he suddenly re.
solved to resume bis occupation, which
be had reinquished on his marriage,
and when his youngest child was
but three weeks cid sailed once more
for the West Indies.
.His wife was devotedly attached to
him, sorowed deeply at bis absence,
and found her only comfort in the
society Of her children and the hope
of his return. But month after month
passed away, and he came not, nor did
any letters. those insufficient but
welcome substitutes, arrive to cheer
her solitude.
Months lengsheued into years, yet
no tidings were received of the alb
sent husband; and after long hoping
against hope, the unhappy wife was
compelled to believe he had found a
grave beneath the weltering ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt
but. the evils Of poverty we're now
added to her afliction, and the widow
found herself obliged to resort to
some employment, in order to support
her helpless children. Her needle
vas her only source, and for ten years
she labored early and late for the
miserable pittance which is ever grud-
yingiy bestowed on the humble seam
stress.
"A merchant of New York, in
moderate but prospsring circumstan-
,es, accidentally became acquainted
With her, and pleased with her gentle
no less than her extreme
beauty, endesvored to improve their
acquaintance with friendship. |
After some months be offered her|
,is hand, and it was accepted. Asj
he wife of a successful merchant,
he soon found herself in the enjoy
nent of comforts and luxaries, such
Is she had never before possessed.
Her children became his children, and
from him every advantage
hat wealth and affection could pro-
cure. /
Fifteen years passed away; the
married, and by their step
satter were furnished with every COM
iort requisite in their new avocation
IF housekeepers. But they had
Quilted bis roof, when their
mother was taken Ill.
'She died after a few days sickness,
and from that time until tho period
which l speak, the widower had re-
sided with the youngest daughter.
Now comes the strangest part of
he story. After an absence Of thirty
years. during which time no tidings
nad been received from him, the first
husband returned as suddenly as be
departed. He had changed bis ship,
another name, and spent that
ong period of time on the ocean,
With only transient visits on shore,
While taking in or discharging cargo;
having been careful also never to-
,oma nearer home than New Orleans.
why he had acted in this unpar-|
1onabls maauer towards his family,
Dc one could tell, and he obstinately1
refused all explanation. There were
strange rumors Of slave-trading and
piracy aaoat, but they we're only whis-
oers Of conjectare rather than truth.
'Whatever might have been his
motive for such conduct, he was GER
bainly anything but Indifferent to his
family concerns when he returned.
xHa -avaa l;Aa n mailman when!