Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1873-05-24
THE UNNATURAL FATHER.
A TRUE STORY.

Many years ago L happened to be one
of the referees III case that excited un-
usual interest in our courts, from the
singular nature of the claim, and the
strange story which it disclosed The
plaintiff, who was captain of a ship
which traded principally with the West
Indies, had married quite early, with
eve. prospect oi happiness. his wife
wa, said to have been extremely beau
tifll, and no less lovely in character.
After living with her in the most I'M
interrupted harmony for five years, du-
riu@ which time two daughters were
added to the family, he suddenly re-
solved to resume his occupation, which
he had relihquishcd on his marriage,
and when his youngest child was but
three weeks old sailed once more for the
West Indies. His wife, who was devoted
" attached to him, sOrrowed deeply ut
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 he came not,
nor did any letters, those insufficient but
welcome substitutes, arrive to cheer her
solitude. Months heightened into years,
yet no tidings were received from the
absent husband; and after hoping
against hope, the unhappy wife was
compelled to believe that he had found
grave beneath the weltering 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 EN-
ployment i'll order to support her chill
dren. Her needle was the only resource,
and for ten years she labored early and
late for the miserable pittance which is
ever grudgingly bestowed on an humble
seamstreSs.
A merchant in New York, in moder
ate but prosperous circumstances, acci
dentally became acquainted with her
and pleased with her gentle manners nc
less than her extreme beauty, he endeav'
ored to improve their acquaintance tC
friendship.
After some months, he offered her hi'
hand and was accepted AS the wife O
successful merchant she soon fount
herself in the enjoyment of comforts
and luxuries such as she had never be
fore possessed. Her children became
his children, and received from him ev
cry advantage which wealth and affec
ton could procure.
Fifteen years passed away; the daugh
ters were married, and by their step
father were furnished with every com
fort requisite to their new avocation a
9 housekeepers. But they had hardl,
' quilted his roof when their mother wa
taken i'll. She died after few days
and from that time until the period O
which speak the widower had reside
with the youngest sister.
: Now comes the strange part of tn
|. story. After an absence of over thirt
3 years, during which time no tidings ha
d arrived from him, the first husban
= returned as suddenly as he had depar
ed.
:, He had changed his ship, adopte
another name, and spent the whole {
that long period on the ocean, with onl
transient visits on shore, while taking l
-, or discharging cargoes, having bee
N ccreful never to come nearer home tha
, New Orleans. Why he had acted
- this objectionable manner towards h
:, family no one could tell, and he obst
-. | nulclN lSlustu an NA pi"iih'iOh
:. There were strange rumors of slav
!" trading piracy aiioat, but they we
N whispers of conjecture rather thi
/. truth. Whatever might have been h
F" motives for his conduct, he was certai
f" ly anything but indifferent to his fami
= concerns when he returned. lie raw
= like a madman when informed of i
m wife's second marriage and subseque
IN death, vowing vengeance upon his ST
y cessor, and terrifying his daughte
!" by the most awful threats in case tn
!" refused to acknowledge his claims
:, had returned wealthy, and one of t
" mean reptiles of the law, who are
~ ways to be found crawling about t
d halls of justice, advised him to brinj
ifs. suit against the second husband, ass
en- ing him that he could recover hea
10" damages. The absurdity of institute
ion a claim for wife whom death releas
70 from the Jurisdiction of earthly la,
lion was so manifest, that it was at LEM
ma agreed by all parties to leave the mat
to be adjudged by five referees.
1t was upon bright and beautiful
mt. ternoon in spring, when We met to h