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

was attlred IN simple white dress with a
wreath of ivy leaves encircing her large
straw bonnet, and lace veil completely
concealing her countenance. Burr whis-
pered few words, apparently encouraging
her 10 advance, and then gracefully raised
her veil, discovering to US face Of proud
surprising beauty. | recolect as well as
if it happened yesterday, how simultaneous
the murmur of admiration burst from the
lips of all present Turning to the plaintiff,
Mr.. Burr asked in a cold, quiet tone;
"Do you know this Iadys"
81 do"
"WiIl you swear to that?"
81 will, to the best of my knowledge and
belief she is my daughter"
"Can You swear TO the identityw
Il can"
"Wbat is her age?"
"She is thirty years old on the goth day
of April"
"Wh-n did yon last see herr"
CAT her own house about fortnight
since"
"When did you see her previous to that
meeting?"
The plaintiff hesitated-a long pause
ensued-the question was repeated, and
the answer at length was
"When she was just a child"
"When she was st three weeks old,
added Burr. "Gentlemen," continued he
turning to us, 81 have brought this lady
here as an important Witness and such |
think she is The plaintiffs counsel has
pleaded eloquently in behalf Of the bereav
ed husband, who escaped the perils of the
sea and returned only to find home desc
late. But who will picture to YOU the
lonely wife, bending over the daily toll
devoting her best years to the drudgery OF
sordid poverty, supported only by the hope
of her husbands return? Who will picture
the slow process of heart sickening, the
wasting anguish of hope deferred, and fin
ally the overwhelming agony which came
upon her when her last hope was extin-
Luished, and she was compelled to believe
herself a widow? Who can depict all this
without awakening in your hearts the
warmest sympathy for the deserted wife
and the Interest scorn for the mean, vile
wretch, who could thus trample Oh the
heart of her whom he swore to love and
cherish! We need not inquire into his
motive for acting so base part. Whether
it was love of gain, or icentiousness, or sci
fish Indifference, it matters not; he is toe
vile a thing to be Judged 10y such laws as
govern men. Let us ask the witness
she who stands before us with the frank
fearless brow of true hearted woman-Iet
us ask which Of the two bas been 10 her
a father!
Turning to the lady, in a tone whose
sweetness was a strange contrast with the
Scornful accent which characterized his
words, he besought her to relate briefly
the recollections Of her early lite. A proud
flush passed over her beautiful face as she
repliedE
My first recollections arc Of small, ill.,
furnished apartment, which my sister and
mvsef shared with my mother She used
to carry out every Sunday the work which
had occupied her during the week, and
bring back employment tor the following.
Saving her wearsome visits to her employ
| erS and her regular attendance at church
she never left the house. She often spoke
of my father, and Of his anticipated return.
but at length she ceased TO mention him,
though | observed she used to weep more
frequently than ever I then thought she
wept because we were poor, for it some
times happened that our support was only
Il bit of dry bread; and she was accustom,
ed to see by the light of chips which she
kindled to warm her G.mishing children, be-
cause she could not purchase candle with
out dcpriving US OF our morning meal
Such was our poverty when my mother
contracted her second Marriage, and the
change to us was like a sudden entrance to
Paradise. We found a home and father
She paused
"Would you excite my own child against
me?" cried the plaintiff, as he impatiently
waved his hand for her to be silent.
The eyes of the witness flashed fire as
she spoke:
"You are not my father" exclaimed she
You who so baseiy left your wife to tol
for your Children in beggary! Never. Be
hold there my father" pointing to the ca n
5 defendant, "there is the man who watch
: ed over my infancy, who was the shsrer ot
. my childish sports and the guardian of my
| inexperienced youth. There is the man
} who claims my affection and shares my
home: there is my father. For yonder
: selfish wretch | know him not The best
, years of his life have been spent in IawIes:
freedom from socialities: let him seek else