The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-03-07
THE UNNATURAL FATHER
A TRUE STORY.

Many years ago / happened to be
one of the referees in a case that excl
ted unusual 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
every prospect Of happiness. His wife
was said to have been extremely beau
tiful, and no less lovely in her charac-
ter
After living with her in the most I'M
interrupted harmony for five years,
during which time two daughters were
added to the family, he suddenly re-
solved to resume his occupation, which
he had relinquished on his marriage
and when his youngest child was but
three weeks old sailed once more for
the West Indies. His wife, who was
devOtedly attached to him, sOrrOwed
deeply at his absence, and found her
only comfort in the society OF her chill
dren 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, ar
rive to cheer her solitude.
Months heightened into years, vet no
tidings were received from the absent
husband and, after hoping against
hope, the unhappy wife was compelled
to believe that he had found a grave
/ beneath the weltering ocean.
/ Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt,
but the evils of poverty were now add
ed to her Affections, and the widow
11,l 70 70
! employment in order to support herself
and children. Her needle was the only
resource, and for ten years she labored
early and late for tile miserable pit
tance which is ever grudgingly be-
slowed on an humble seamstresS.
/ A merchant in New Y YorL, in mod
crate but prosperous circumstances,
accidentally became acquainted with
her, and, pleased with her gentle man.
ners no less than her extreme Leauty,
he endeavored to improve their ac-
quaintance into friendship
After some months, he offered his
hand, and was accepted. As the wife
OF a successful merchant she soon found
herself in the enjoyment Of comforts
and luXuries such as she had never be-
his children, and received from him
/ every advantage which wealth and at
I fecticn could procure
Fifteen years passed away; the
daughters were married, and by their
/ step-father were furnished with every
comfort requisite to their new avoca-
ton as housekeepers. But they had
hardly quilted his roof when their
mother was taken i'll She died after
a few days, and from that time Untii
the period Of which | speak the wild
over had resided with the younger sis
ter
Now comes the strange part Of the
story. After an absence OF over thirty
years, during which time no tidings
had arrived from him, the first hus-
/ band returned as suddenly as he had
/ departed.
lie had changed his ship, adopted an
/ other name, and spent the whole Of that
( long period on the ocean, with only
| transient visits on shore, while taking
III or diSch"rSiAS e""Gnes- having been
careful never to come nearer home than
New Orleans. Why he had acted in
this objectionable manner towards his
family no one could tell, and he obsti-
nately refused an explanation.
There were strange rumOrs Of slave
trading and piracy atioat, but they were
whispers Of conjecture rather than
truth. Whatever might have been his
motives for his conduct, he was GER
tainIy anything but indifferent to his
family concerns when he returned
! He raved like a madman when inform
ed of his wife's second marriage and
subsequent death, vOwing vengeance
Q upon his successor, and terrifying his
daughters by the most awful threats
in case they refused to acknowledge
his claims. He had returned wealthy,
and one of the mean reptiles of the
law, who are always to be found crawl
ing about the halls of justice, advised
him to bring a suit against the second
husband, assuring him that he could
recover heavy damages. The absurdi-
ty of instituting a claim for a wife
whom death had released from the iu-
risdiction of earthly laws, was so man.
ifest, that it was at length agreed by
all parties to leave the matter to be
adjudged by five referees.
1t was upon bright and beautiful
afternoon in spring, when we met to
hear this singular case. The sunlight
| streamed through the dusty windows of
the courtroom, and shed halo around
the long gray locks and broad forehead
of the detendant-whilet the plaintiffs
harsh features were thrown into still
bolder relief by the same beam which
softened the placid countenance Of his
adversary.
The plaintiffs lawyer made a most
eloquent appeal for his client, and had
we not been informed about the mat
ter. our hearts would have been melt
ed bv the touching description Of the