The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-03-21
"a True Story.

Many years ago happened to be one
of the referees in a case that excited uu-
usual interest IN our courts, from the sin
gular nature of the claim and the strange
story it disclosed. The plaintiff, who
was captain of ship which traded prin-
cipally 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
loveble III character.
After living with her in the most un-
interrupted harmony for five years, during
which time Two daughters were added to
the family, he suddenly resolved to re-
sumo his occupation, which he had relin-
quished 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, sor-
roWed deeply IN his absence, and found
her only comfort In the society of her
children, and hope of his return. Bat
month after month passed away, and he
came not, nor did any letters, those in
sufficient but ever welcome substitutes
arrive to cheer her bitter solitude
Mouths lengthened into years, yet no
husband, and after hoping against hope,
the unhappy wife was compelled to be-
lieve that he had found grave beneath
the rolling ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt, but
the evils Of poverty were now added to
her affections; and the widow found
herself obliged to resort to some employ
ment 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
grudgingly bestowed on an humble seam
stress.
a merchant in New York, in moderate
but prosperous circumstances, accidental
iy became acquainted with her, and pleas
ed with her gentle manners no less than
her beauty, he improved their acquain-
tance into friendship
After some months he offered his hand
and was accepted. As the wife of sue
cesstul merchant, she soon found herself
In the enjoyment of such comforts and
Injuries as she had never possessed. Her
children became his children, and receiv-
ed from him every advantage wealth and
affection could procure. r 81.
Fifteen years passed away the daugh-
ters married, and by their step-father
were furnished with every comfort requi-
site to their new ayocation as housekeep-
ers. But they had hardly quilted his root
when their mother was taken i'll. She
died after few days, and from that time
to the period of which l speak, the wid-
over had resided with the younger daugh-
ter. 1. Ha- -.
Now comes the stranger part of the
story. After an absence of over thirty
years, during which no tidings had arrived
from him, the first husband returned, as
suddenly as he had departed .-a
He had changed his ship, adopting an
other name, and spent the whole of that
long period on the ocean, with only, tran
sient visits on shore, while taking in or
discharging cargoes, having been, careful
never to come nearer home than New Or
leans. Why he acted in this unpardona-
bic manner toward the family, no one
could tell, and he o5stinately refused all
explanation. So 81.
There were strange rumors of slave
trading and piracy afoat, bu: they were
only whispered conjecture rather than
truth. Whatever might have been his
motives tor his conduct, he was certainly
anything but Indifferent to his family
concerns when he returned. He reved
IKE madman when informed of his
Wi1es second marriage and subsequent
death, VowIng vengeance upon his sue
cessor, and terrifying his daughters with
the most awful threats. in case they re-
fnHed "a Ackoa-Is,J. - ~. uLl