The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-07-26
Snbersoe yatslligerter. .
A !grRwE STORY.

story which 1t disclosed. iHo Pies'noi"'
who was captain of vessel which traded
principally with the West Indies, had
married quite early with every prospect
Of happiness. His wife was said to have
been extremely beautiful, and no less
lovely in her character.
After living with her in the most unin-
terrupted harmony for five years, during
which time two daughters were added to
the family, he suddenly resolved to re-
sumo his occupation, which he had relin-
quished on his marriage, and when his
youngest child was but three weeks old,
sailed once more to the West Indies.
His sorrowing wife, who was devotedly
attached to him, sorrowed deeply at his
absence, and found her only comfort in
the society of the children and the hope
of his return. But month after month
passed away, and he came not, nor did
any letters-those insufficient but well
come substitutes-arrive to cheer her
solitude. Months lengthened into years,
yet no tidings were received from the ab-
sent husband; and after hoping against
hope, the unhappy wife was compelled to
believe that he hadfound grave beneath
the weltering ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt
but the evils Of poverty were now added
to her Affections and the widow found
herself obliged to resort to some employ
ment in order to support her children.
Her needle was her only resource, and for
ten years she labored early and late for
the miserable pittance which is ever
grudgingly bestowed on humble seam
stress.
A merchant in New York, in moderate
but prosperous circumstances, accidentally
became acquainted with her, and pleased
with her gentle manners, no less than her
extreme beauty, he endeavored to i'm
prove their acquaintance with friendship.
After some months he offered his hand
and was accepted. AS the wife of sue
cessful merchant she soon found herself
in the enjoyment OF comforts and luxu-
ries such as she had never before possess
ed. Her children became his children,
and received from him every advantage
which wealth and affection could procure.
Fifteen years passed away; the daugh-
ters married, and by their step-father
were furnished with every comfort requi-
site to their new avocation as housekeep-
ers. But they had hardly quilted his
roof when their mother was taken ill.
She died after u few days, and from that
time until the period of which 1 speak,
the widower had lived with the younger
sister.
Now comes the strange part of the
story. After an absence of over thirty
years, during which time no tidings had
arrived from him, the first husband re-.
turned as suddenly as he had departed.
He had changed his ship, adopted an
other name, and spent the whole of that
long period on the ocean, with only tran
sient visits on shore, while taking or dis
charging cargoes, having been careful
never to come nearer home than New
Orleans. Why he had acted in thus un-
pardonable manner towards his family,
no one could tell, and he obstinately re-
fused an explanation.
There were strange rumors of slave-tra-
ding and piracy afoat, but they were only
whispers OF conjectures, rather than truth.
Whatever might have been his motives
tor his conduct, he was certainly nything
but Indifferent to his family concerns when
be returned. He raved like a madman
when informed of his wife's second mar
riage and subsequent death, vowing ven-
geance upon his successor, and terrifying
his daughters by the most awful threats
in case they should refuse to acknowl
edge his claims. He had returned wealthy
and one of the mean reptiles of the law,
who are always to be found crawling
about the halls Of justice, advised him to
bring suit against the second husband !;
assuring him that he could recover heavy
damages. The absurdity of instituting
a claim for q wife whom death had re-
leased from the jurisdiction of earthly
laws was so manifest, that at length it
was agreed to by all parties to leave the
matter to be adjudged by five referees.
It was ON bright and beautiful after
noon IN spring when we met to hear this
singular case. The sunlight streamed