New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-07-09
4 True story.

Many years ago I happened to be one of til
referees in a case that excited unusual interest
our courts, from the single nature of the CLAIM
aud the strange story which it disclosed. Til
plaintiff, who was captain of q vessel whie
traded principally with the West Indies, had MAJ
ried quite early with every prospect of Happiness,
BIS vile was said to have been extremely beaut
full, and no less lovely in her character.
After living with her in the most uninterrupte
harmony for five years, during which time tw
daughters were added to the family, he sudden
resolved to resume his occupation, which he hal
Telinqnished on his marriage, and when his young
est child was but three weeks old, sailed ono
more to the West Indies. His sorrowing wife, VIII
was devotedly attached to him, sorrowed deepl
at his absence, and found her only comfort in til
society of the children and the hope of his return
but month after month passed away, and he cam
not, nor did any letters-those Insufficient but we
come sabstitutes-ar to cheer her solitude
Months heightened into years. vet no tidings wer
received from the absent husband; and after hon
ing against hope, the unhappy wife was compelIe
to believe that he had found grave beneath tn
EelteriHg ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt, but til,
evils OF poverty were now added to her afillc
TONS ana the widow found herself obliged to re
sort to some employment in order to support her
children, Her needle was her only resource, ana
for ten years she labored early and late fer the
miserable pittance which is ever grudgingIy be.
slowed on humble seamstress.
a merchant in New York, in moderate but pros.
quainted with her, and pleased with her gentle
manners, no less than her extreme beauty, he en-
deayored TO improve their acquaintance with
friendship.
After some months he offered his hand and was
accepted. As the wife of successful merchant
she soon found herself in the enjoyment of com
torts and luxuries such as she had never before
possessed. Her children became his children, and
received from him every advantage which wealth
and affection could procure.
Fifteen years passed away the daughters mar.
ried and by their step-father were furnished with
every comfort requisite to their new aVocation as
housekeepers. But they had hardly quilted bis
roof when their mother was taken i'll. She died
after few days, and from that time until the be-
ROD Of which 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 hus
band returned as suddenly as he had departed
He mad changed his ship, adopted another name
and spent the whole Of that long period on the
ocean, with only transient visits on shore, while
taking or discharging cargoes having been careful
never to come nearer home than New Orleans
Why lie had acted in this unpardonable manner to-
wards his family, no one could tell and he obsti-
natey refused an explanation.
There were strange rumors of slave trading and
piracy ahoat but they were only whispers of con
lectures rather than truth. Whatever might have
been his motives for his conduct be was certainly
anything but Indifferent to his family concerns
when he returned. He raved like mailman when
Informed of his wife's second marriage and subse.
quent death, Vowing vengeance upon his success
SCR. and terrifying his daughters by the most
awful threats in case they should refuse a.
acknowledge 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 eenld re-
cover heavy damages. The absurdity of insttu-
ting claim for wife whom death had released
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 afternoon in
spring when we met 60 hear this singular case
The sunlight streamed through the dusty windows
OF the courtroom, andshed halo around the long
gIay looks and broad forehead of the defendant |
while the plaintiffs harsh features were thrown |
INTO still bolder relief by the same beam which /
solsenad tao placid countehanee of the adversary |
1As pialntn . laWye made a most eloquent APP |
psal ioI ms clent, and had we not been informed I
about the NATTER our hearts would have been
melted oy his touching description Of the return Of
the des0late husband, and the agony with which /
ne now heheld his household goods removed TO
conseerate strangers hearth. The celebrated
Aaron Burr was counsel for the defendant and We I
anticipated from him splendid display Of oratorv
contrary to our expectations, however Burr /
maze 20 attempt TO confnfe his opponent's ora |
tory. he merely opened book of statutes and |
pointing With his thin finger to one of the pages,
desired the referees to read it, while he retired
for the principal witness.
We had scarcely finished the section, which fully
decided the matter in our minds, when Burr re-
entered with tall and elegant female leaning on
bis arm. She was attired in a simple white dress
With wreath of ivy leaves encircling her large
straw bonnet, and lace veil completely concealed
her eonntenance. Burr whispered a few words,
apparently encouraging her to advance, and then
gracefully raising her veil, discovered to us face
81 proud, snrpassing beauty. TeeolIect as well |
as Il y happened yesterday. how simultaneous the
mlfmnf Of admiration burst from the lips of all |
Rsesens, Iarnlng 70 the plaintiff, Mr. Burr asked
20 you know this lady2''
VIII you swear to thatgp
lief Sd + r. me- best of my knowledge and
..f can ySu swear to the identity!n
What Is her agep,
shs was thirty years old on the Goth day of
!. When did you last nee her ~
"At her own house, about fortnight sinee,n
When did you see her previous to that meet. |
The plaintiff hesitated- long pause engued-fha
question was repeated, and Tie answer At length
Y on the Ieth day Of May, Up
'sWhen she was Just three weeks old o addaa
Burr. "Gentemen,l continued he, turning to ID, |
Z have brought this lady here as an important
witness, end such, think. she Is. The plaintiffs
counsel has pleaded eloquently In behalf Of the |
bereaged husband, who escaped the perils DR sea |
and returned only to find home desolate. But |
who viii picture tO you tile lonely wife; bending |
ever her daily f0i deFoting her best years to the
Y slioaeHH q s9tdia poverty, supported only by /
sAe hope 81 heF husbands tetnras Who will pio |
sure me slow process Of heart sekening, the an /
II hope deIerred and finally the oyerWhel- |
5.ling agony Which came upon her when her last |
sa9Re ~as eztlngaAAed, ana she was compelled /
81 sone n, hefset indeed widow Who can
geplot ah this without awakening in your hearts |
ne Warmest sympathy for the deserted wife, and I
the interest seorn for the mean, pitiful wretch
sho oonla tnas tEample on the heart Of her whom I
inquire INTO bis motives foF acting ID base NIT,
whether It was love Of gain Or lioendousness, or