The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1867-07-19


ever, Burr made no attempt to confut,
bis opponents eloquent oratory. HI
merely opened book of statutes, ant
pointing, with his thin finger, to one o
the pages, desired the referees to reaC
lit while he retired a moment for th'
principal witness, Al, ssu s5;,s.;a.rs
We had scarcely finished the section
which fully decided the matter in on
minds, when Burr re-sntered with a tai
and elegant female on his arm. Sh,
was attired in simple white dress
with wreath Of ivy leaves encirclins
her large straw bonnet and lace vel
completely concealed her countenance
Burr whispered a few words, apparent
ly encouraging her to advance, anC
then gracefully rised her veil, discover
| ing to us face of proud, surpassin.
beauty. I recollect, as weil as if !
had happened yesterday, how stimuli
taneousiy the murnur of admiration
burst from the lips Of all present. Turn
ing to the plaintiff, Mr.. Burr asked in
cold, quite tone:
'Do you know this lady,"
al do"
"Will you swear to that"
81 will, to the best of my knowledg
and belief; she IS my daughter"
"Can you swear to the identityl 7"
81 can"
"What is her age"
"She is 80 years old on the goth day
Of April"
"When did you last see her9"
"At her own house, about fort
night since"
"When did you see her previous t.
that lneetiug9'
The plaintiff hesitated-a long paus,
ensued-the question was repeated, ,snC
the answer al length was
"When she was just three week.
DID," added Burr. "Gentlemen," con
tinued he, turning to US, 81 hsv.
brought this lady here as an importan
witness, and such l think she is. Tht
plaintiffs counsel has pleaded eloquent
|fy in behalf Of. the bereayed husband
who escaped the perils of sea and re
turned only to find home desolate. Blu
who will picture to you the lonely wife
bending over the daily toll, devotinl
her best years to the drudgery of sor
did proverty, supported only by th,
hope Of her husbands return l-Wht
viii pitcure the slow process Of heart
sickening, the wasting anguish of hop,
deferred, and finally the overwhelming
agony which came upon her when hel
last hope was extinguished, and she wa
compelled to believe herself awidow
Who can depict all this without awaken
ing in your hearts the warmest sympa
thy for the deserted wife, and the uttel
scorn for the mean, vile wretch, who
could thus trample on the heart of hel
who he had sworn to love and cherish
We need not inquire into his motives
for acting SO base a part. Whether i
was love of gain, or Righteousness, O.
selfish indifference, it matters not; he i
too vile thing to be judged by sucf
laws as govern men. Let US ask tn,
witness@she who stands before US will
the frank, fearless brow of true-heart
ed woman-let us ask which Of thes,
two has been to her father Z" sl4'1
Turning to the lady, in tone who's
sweetness was a strange contrast will
the scornful accent which characterized
his words, he besought her to relat'
briefly the recollection Of her early life
A proud flush passed over her beautiful
face as she replied;
s.My first recollections are of small
ill-furnished apartment which my sis
ter and myself Shared with my mother
She used to carry out every Saturda,
the work which had occupied her du
ring the week, and bring back employ
ment for the following. Saving he
wearisonie visits to her employers, anc
her regular attendance at church, sh
never left the house. She spoke oftel
Of my father, and of his anticipated re
turn, but at length she ceased to men
ton him, though l observed she use,
to weep more frequently than ever.
then thought she wept because We wer
poor, and it sometimes happened tha
our support was a BIT of dry bread ant
she was accustomed to see by the ligh
of chips, which she kindled to warn
her famishing children, because sh
could not purchase a candle withou
IdspriviBg us Of our morning meal
Such was our poverty when our mothe
contracted her second marriage, and th
change to us was like a sudden entranc
to Paradise. We found home and
father" She paused. 3
s.Would you excite my own chill,
against me" cried the plaintiff, as h
limpatiently waved his hand for her t
Ebe silent - ssa ss g
The eyes Of the witness flashed fir
as she spoke; =
"You are not my father, exclaims,
she, vehemently. ''What, call you m,
tfather-you who 50 basely left you
wife to toll for your Children to beg
gary ?-Neyer. Behold there, my faith
err" pointing to the calm defendant
''there is the man who watched over N,
Infancy, who was the sharer Of m,
childish sperts, and the guardian Of m.
inexperienced youth. There is tn
man who claims my affections, an'
shares my home there is my father. Fo
wonder selfish wretch I know him moi
The best years of his life have bee
spent in lawIess freedom from socialties
let him seek elsewhere for the cofnpan
ions OF his decrspitude nor dare insul
the ashes Of my aged mother by nov
claiming the duties of kindred from he
deserted children" s -E-0 1.i'z 2
She drew her veil hastily around he
as she spoke, and moved as if wishin.
to withdraw. sis s d, .lisi 80 7ols
@Gentlemen,p said Burr, "a have n
more to say; The words of the law ar
expressed in the book before you; th
wordsof truth you have hesrd'from wa
mans pure lips; it is for you TO decid
aceordingto the requisitions of natur
and the DEGREES of justice" asae
need not say that our decision wa