The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1867-04-09
A TRUE STORY.

| of the referees in the case that excited un-
usual interest in our courts, from tie sin
gular nature of the claim, and the strange
story which it disclosed. The plaintiff,
who was captain of ship which traded
principally with the West Indies, had mar
ried quite early, with every prospect of
happiness His wife was said to have been
extremely beautiful, and no less loveable in
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 resume
his occupation, which he had reiinquished
on his marriage, and when his youngest
child was but three weeks old, he sailed
for the West Indies His wife, who was
devotedIy attached TO him, sorrowed deep
/ Iy in bis absence, and found her only COM
! fort 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 ever welcome
substitutes, arrive to cheer her bitter soil
tude. Months heightened into years, yet
no tidings were rec Ived from the absent
husband, and after hoping against hope,
the unhappy wife was compelled to believe
that he had found grave beneath the
weltering ocean:
Her sorrow WAS deep and heartfelt, but
the evils Ct poverty were now added to her
affections and the widow found herself
obliged to resort to some employment in
order to support her children. Her needle
was the only resource, and for ten years
she labored early and late for the miserable
pittance which is ever so grudgingIy be-
slowed on the humble seamstress.
A merchant in New York, in moderate
circumstances, accidentally became ac-
quainted with her, and pleased with her
gentle manners no less than her beauty,
he improved their acquaintance into
friendship.
After some months he offered her his
hand and was accepted. As the wife Of a
successful merchant she soon found herself
in the enjoyment of such comforts ana
Iuxuries as she had never possessed. Her
/ children became his children, and received
! from him every advantage which wealth
an affection could procure.
Fifteen years passed away: the daugh-
ters married, and by their step-father were
furnished with every comfort requisite to
their new avocation as ouse-keepers. But
they had hardly Quilted his roof when the
mother was taken i'll. She died after a
! few days, and from that time until this
period OF which speak, the widower had
resided with the younger daughter.
Now comes the strange part of the story
After an absence of thirty years during
which time no tidings had arrived from
him, the fist husband returned as sud
denly as he had departed.
/ He had changed his ship, adopting an
other name, and spent the whole Of that
long period, on the ocean, with only tran
silent visits on shore, while taking in or
discharging cargoes, having been careful
never to come nearer home than New Or
leans. Why he hal acted in this unpar.
! donabie manner towards the family no one
could tell, and he obstinately refused all
explanation,
There were strange rumors Of slave trad
ing and piracy ahoat, but they were only
whispered conjecture rather than truth.
Whatever might have been his motives for
this conduct, he was certainly anything but
Indifferent to his family concerns when be
returned. He raved like a mailman when
informed of his wife second marriage and
subsequent death, vowing vengeance on his
successob and terrifying his daughters with
the most awful threats in case they refused
to acknowledge his claim He had return
ed wealthy and one Of the reptiles Of the
/ law---who are always to be found crawling
about the halls of juStice-advised him to
bring a suit against the second husband
assuring him that he could recover heavy
damages. The absurdity of instituting a
clam for wife whom death had relieved
from the jurisdiction Of all 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,
1t was upon bright and beautiful after
noon in the spring when we met to hear
the singular case. The sunlight sLreamed
through the dusty windows of the court
room, and shed halo around the long,
grav locks aud broad forehead Of the de-
fendant-whie The plaintiffs harsh fea-
lures were thrown into still bolder relief by
the same beam which seemed to soften the
placid counter nee of his adversary,
:. Tie plaintiffs lawyer made most elo,
quent appeal for his client, and had we not
been informed about the matter, our hearts
would have been melted by his touching
description of the return of the desoIate
husband and the great agony with which
he beheld his household gods removed to
|oODCaorata q ctranpar'S haorfh Nh oal br.,