The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-04-25
A TRUE STORY.

Many years ago happened to be one of
the referees in case that excited unusual
interest in the courts, from the singular na
ture Of the claim, and the strange story
which il 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
beautiful, and No less lcgeable in her char
acter.
After living with her in the most uninter-
rupted harmony for five years, during which
time two daughters were added to the family,
be suddenly resolved to resume his occupa-
tion, which he had relinquished on his mar
riage, and when his youngest child was but
three weeks old, he sailed for the West In
dies. His wife, who was devotedly attached
to him, sorrowed deeply at his absence, and
found her only comfort in the society Of her
children, and the hope of his return. But
month after month passed away and be came
not, nor did any letters, those insufficient
substitutes, arrived to cheer her bitter soli-
tude. Months heightened into years, vet no
tidings were received from the absent hus-
band, and after hoping against hope, the un-
happy wife was compelled to believe that he
had found a grave beneath the Weltsring
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 employment in or
der to support her children. Her needle
was the only resource, and fourteen years
she labored early and late for the miserable
pittance which Is 50 grudgingly bestowed on
an humble seamstress.
A merchant in New York, in moderate but
prosperous circumstances, accidentally be-
came acquaint ted with Aer, and, pleased with
her gentle manners, no less than her beauty,
he improved their acquaintance into friend
ship.
After some months he offered his hand
and was accepted. As the wife Of success.
full merchant, she soon found herself In ths
, enjoyment Of comfort and luxnries such a
she never possessed. Her children became
hls children, and received from him every
advantage which wealth and affection couIt
procure.
Fifteen years passed away; the daughter
married, and by their step-father were fur.
nished with every comfort requisite to thei
new avocation as Eousekeepers. But they
hat hardly quilted his roof when then
mother was tzksA i'll. She died after q few
days, and from that time until the period O
which speak, the widower resided with th,
Younger daughter.
Now comes the stranger part OF the story
After an absence Of over thirty years, during
which time no tidings had arrived from him
the first husband returned a. suddenly a. b
had departed.
He had changed his ship, adopting anoth
or name, and spent the whole Of that lonl
period on the ocean, with only transient vis
in on shore, while taking in or discharginI
cargoes, having been careful never to com
nearer than New Orleans. Why he ha
acted In this uBpardonsbls manner toward
the family no one could tell, and he obsti
nately refused al explanation.
There were strange runors of slave trad
ing and piracy afoat, but they were onl
conjecture rather than truth. Whsteve
might have been his motives for his conduct
be was certainly anything but indifferent 3
his family eoncerns when he returned. III
raved like madman when informed Of hi
wife's second marriage and subsequent death
vowing vengeance ag ainst mis- successor, m
terrifying his daughters with the most awft
thfeats in case they refused to scknowIeds
his claims. He had returned wealthy, IN
: one Of the reptiles Of the lsw, who are u
ways 20 be found crawling about the ha;
Of js..ice, advised him 10 bringa su
against the second husband, assuring hil
| shas be could recover heavy damages. n
tabsaroity Of institutina claim for VII
Whom death had removed from The jurisdii
| ton Of all sskshly lawsWas 70 manifest III
) at length 10 was agreed b BY alI parties
llsass the mattsr % Do sdiadesd by i've rs
Ieree1. gs IS
i II vas upon bright and beautiful attn
noo1 in the spring when we met 10 hear Obi
singular case; The sunhgns szsems
room, and shed = halo around the long ~
. locks and broad forehead of the dsfondAnt'
while ths plaintifss hzfsha fsateEs ~
thrown Into ptll boldw Sslisf b The -