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

vised him to bring suit against bim-that
he could recover heavy damages. The
aosurdity of iustituting a claim for wife
whom death had relieved from the iuris-
dictiou of all earthly laws was SO mani
fest that at length it was agreed by all
parties to leave the matter to be adjudged
by five referees. -e aaa ...rs.
1t was upon bright and beautiful af-
ternoon in the spring when we met to
hear this singular case. The sunlight
streamed through the dusty windows of
the court-room, and shed halo around
the long, grey locks, and broad forehead
of the defendant-while the plaintiffs
harsh features were thrown into still!
bolder relief by the same beam which
seemed to soften the placid countenance
of his adversary.
The plaintiffs lawyer made most elo-
queut 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
desolate husband, and the great agony
with which he beheld his household gods
removed to concentrate at a strangers
hearth. The celebrated Aaron Burr was
the counsel for the defendant, and We
anticipated from him 1. splendid display
of oratory. .ts .... ~.
Contrary to expectations, however,
Burr made no attempt to oonfute his op-
ponents eloquent oratory. He merely
opened book of statutes, and pointing,
with his thin finger, to one of the pages,
desired the referees to read it, while he
retired moment for the principal wit
ness. -..., ...... .....
We had scarcely finished the section,
minds, when Burr re-entered with tall
an0 elegant female on his arm. She was
attired in a simple white dress, with
wreath of ivy leaves encircling her large
straw bonnet, and lace veil completely
concealed her countenance. Burr whis-
pered few words, apparently encourag-
ing her to advance, and then gracefully
raised her veil, discovering to US face of
proud, surprising beauty. I recollect, as
well as if it had happened yesterday, how
simultaneous by the murmur of admiration
burst from the lips of all present.. Tu-n-
log to the plaintiff, Mr.. Burr asked in
cold, quiet tone:
"Do you know this lady 2"
81 do"
"Will you swear to that 2"
"l will, to the best of my knowledge
and belief she is my daughter" ga
Can you swear to the identity ?'
81 can"
"Wbat is her age"
"She is 80 years old on the Goth day
of April" ., -....
"When did you last see her 2"
hor I
since.' ...
"When did You see her previous to
that meeting?" .
The plaintiff hesitated-a long pause
ensued-the question was repeated, and
the answer a. length was
"When she was just three weeks DID,"
added Burr. "Gentlemen," continued
he, turning to us, IL have brought this
lady here as an important witness, and
such think she is. The plaintiff S coun-
sci has pleaded eloquently 10 behalf of
the beIeaved husband, who escaped the
perils OF the sea and returned only to 6nd
home desolate. 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, aud finally the overwhelm-
ing agony which came upon her when her
last hope was extinguished, and she was
compelled to believe herself widow p
Who can Depict all this without ava
kening in your hearts the warmest SYM
pathy for the deserted wife, and the utter
scorn tor the mean, vile wretch, who could
thus trample on the heart of her whom he
swore to love and cherish We need not
inquire into his motives for acting so base
a part. Whether it was love of gain, or
hcentiousness, or selfish indifference, it
matters not he is tco vile thing to be
Judged by such laws as govern men. Let
US ask the witness-she who stands before
US with the frank, fearless brow of a true
hearted woman-let US ask which of these
two has been to her father 2"
Turning to the lady. in tone whose
sweetness was strange contrast with the
scornful accent which characterized his
words, he besought. her to relate briefly
the recollections of her early life A
proud flush passed over her beautiful face
as she replied:
"My first recollections are of small,
ill-furnished apartment which my sister
and myself shared with my mother. She
used to carry out every Saturday the
work which had occupied her during the
week, and bring back employment for the
following. Saving her wearisome visits to
her employers, and her regular attendance
at church, she never left the house. She