The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-03-28
Il TRUE STORY.

of the referees in case that excited un-
usual interest in our courts, from the
singular 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 married quite early, with
every prospect of happiness. His wife
was said to have been extremely beau
tifui, and no less lovable in character.
| After living with her in the most I'M
interrupted harmony for five years, du-
added to the family, he suddenly resolv-
had relinquished on his marriage, and
when his youngest child was but three
weeks old, he sailed for the West Indies.
His wife, who was devotedly attached
to him, sorroWed deeply in his absence,
and found her only comfort in the So
clety 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 solitude. Months heightened in
to years, yet no tidings We're received
from the absent husband, and hope
ing against hope, the unhappy wife was
compelled to believe that he had found
a grave beneath the weltering ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt,
but + he evils of poverty were now adj
ded 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 re-
source, and for ten years she labored
early and late for the miserable pittance
which IS ever so grudgingly bestowed
on an humble seamstress.
A merchant in New York, in mode
rate but prosperous circumstances, ac-
cidentally became acquainted with her,
and, pleased with her gentle manners
no less than her beauty, he improved
their acquaintance into friendship.
After some months he offered his
hand and was accepted. AS the wife of
a successful merchant she soon found
herself in the enjoyment of such COM
forts and luXuries such as she never had
possessed. Her children became his
children, and received from him every
advantage which wealth and affection
could procure.
Fifteen years passed away; the daugh-
tiers married, and by their step-father
were furnished with every comfort re-
quisite to their new avoeation as house
keepers. But they had hardly quilted
his roof when the mother was taken ill.
She died after few days, and from that
time until the period of which l speak,
the WidoWer resided with the younger
daughter.
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, adopting
another name, and spent the whole Of
that long period on the ocean, with only
transient visits on shore, while taking
in or discharging cargoes, having been
careful never to come nearer home than
New Orleans. Why he had acted in
this objectionable manner towards the
family no one could tell, and he obsti-
nately refused all explanation.
There were strange rumors of slave
trading and piracy aAoat, but they were
only whispered conjecture rather than
truth. Whatever might have been his
motives for his condu1 heswas certain
Iy anything but indif1Relt to his fami-
ly concerns when {etnrned. He
raved like a madman When Informed of
his Wife's second marriage and subse-
successor, and terrifying his daughters
with the most awful threats in case
they refused to acknowledge his claim.
He had returned 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 suitagainst
the second husband, assuring him that
he could recover heavy damages. The
absurdity of instituting claim 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 on bright and beautiful after
noon in the spring when we met to hear
the singular case. The sunlight stream
ed through the dusty windows OF the
court room, and shed halo around the
long, gray locks and broad forehead of
the defendant-While the plaintiffs
harsh features We're thrown into still
boIder relief by the same beam which
seemed to soften the placid countenance
Of his adversary.
The PLAINTIFF lawyer made a most ell
oquent appeal fer his ellie Mt, and had we
not been informed about the matter, our
hearts would have been melted by the
touching description OF the return OF the
desolate husband, and the great agony
with which he behe,d his household