Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-08-26
ArnuE sronY.

WHY ytdis uSo nHppeueu 10 pe
one OF the referees in case that
excited unusual interest in Our
courts, from the singular nature of
the claim, and the strange story 1t
disclosed. The plaintiff, who was
captain of a ship which traded princi-
pally 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 lovable' in character.
After living with her In the most
uninterrupted harmony for five years,
during which time two daughters
were added to the family, he sudden
~ resolved to resume his occupation,
which he had relinquished on his
marriage, and when his youngest
child was but three weeks old, he
sailed for the West Indies. His vie,
who was devotetliy attached to him,
sorrowed deeply in his absence, and
found her only comfort in the society
Of her children, and the hope Of his
return. Butmonth after month pass
cd away, and he came not, nor did
any letters-those insufficient but
ever welcome arrive to
cheer her bitter solitude. Months
heightened into years, vet no tiding
from the absent husband; aud after
hoping against hope, the unhappy
wife was compelled to believe that he
had found grave beneath the well
,ering ocean.
Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt,
but the evils of poverty were now adj
ded to her aifiiction, and the widow
found herself obliged to resort to some
employment in order to support her
children. Her needle was the only
ed early and late for the miserable
pittance, which is ever so grudgingly
bestowed on an humble seamstress.
A merchant, i'm New York, In mod
crate but prosperous circumstances,
accidently become acquainted with
her gentle manners, no less than her
beauty, he improved their acquain-
lance into friendship.
After some months he offered his
hand and was accepted. AS the wife
of successful merchant she soon
found herself in the enjoyment of
comfort and luXuries such as she had
never possessed. Her children be-
came his children, and received every
advantage which wealth and affec-
ton could procure
Fifteen years passed away. The
daughters married, and by their step
father were furnished with every
comfort requisite to their new avoca-
ton ms housekeepers. But they had
hardly quilted his roof when the
"A lNn II 4 In, tnI N
q few days, and from that time until
the period of which l speak, the
widower had resided with the young
er daughter.
Now comes the strange part Of the
story. After an absence of thirty
years, during which time no tiding
had arrived from him, the first hus-
band returned 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,
while taking In or discharging cargoes,
having been careful never Ia come
nearer home than New Orleans. -
Why he had acted i'm this unpardon-
able manner toward the family no
one could tell, and he obstinately re-
fused all explanation.
There We're strange rumors of slave
trading and piracy afioat, but they
were only whispered conjecture rath-
er than truth. Whatever might
have been his motives fnr his con
duet, he was certainly anything but
indifferent to his family concerns
when he returned. He raved like u
mad man when informed of his wife's
second marriage and subsequent
death, vowing vengence on his sue
cessor, and terrifying his daughters
with the most awful threats in case
they refused to acknowledge Eis
claim. He had returned wealthy,
and one of the reptiles of the
law-who are always to be found
about the halls of JUS
tice - advised him to bring suit
against the second husband, assuring
him that he could recover heavy dam
ages. The absurdity OF instituting a
claim for wife whom death had re-
leved nom the jurisdiction of all
earthly laws, WAS 50 manifest, that at
length II was agreed by all parties to
leave the matter TO be adludged by
five referees.
ltwss upon bright and beautiful
afternoon in the Spring, when we
met To hear thesingulal case. The sun
light streamed through the dusty win
dOws ofthe court room, and shed halo
arounI thp lnnp yrav lock = aud broad