Year: 1867

Many years ago,I happened to be one of
the referees IN case that excited unusual in
terest in our courts, from the singular nature
Of the claim, and the strange story which it
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 handsome, and
no less loveable in character


After living with her in the most uninter-
rupted harmony for five years, during which
time two daughters were added to tie fam
y, he suddenly resolved to resume his oc-
cupation, which he had reinouished on his
marriage; and when his youngest child was
but three weeks old, he sailed for the West
Indies. His wife, who was devotedly at
saehed 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 he came not. nor did any letters,
those insufficient but ever welcome substi-
t1tes, arrive to cheer her bitter solitude.
p Aynths lengthened into years yet no tidings
were received from the absent husband, and
alter 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
evils OF poverty We're now added to her af-
aIetIons, and the widow found herself obliged
10 resort to some employment in order TO
support her children Her needle was the
only resource, and for ten years she labored
early and late for the miserable pittance
which is ever so grudgingly bestowed on an
humble seamstress


A merchant in New York, in moderate
but prosperous circumstances, accidentally
became acquainted with her, and, pleased
With her gentle manners, no less than her
beauty, he improved their acquaintance in
TO fremshis


After some months he offered her his
hand and was accepted. As the wife of
successful merchant she soon found herself
IN the enjoyment of comforts and Injuries
such as she had never possessed. Her chill
dren became his children, and received from
him every advantage which wealth and af-
lection could procure.


Fifteen years passed away; the daughters
married, and by their step-fatber were fur
nished with every comfort requisite to their
new avoeation as housekeepers. But they
aad hardly quilted hisroof when their moth
er was taken i'll. She died after few days,
and from that time until the period of which
Ispeak, the widower had resided with the
younger daughter


Now comes the strangest part of the story.
After an absence of over thirty years, during
which time no tidings had arrived from him,
the frst husband returned as suddenly as he
lad departed


lie had changed his ship, adopting an
other name, and spent the whole of that
iong period on the ocean, with only transient
visits on shore, while taking in or diScharg
tnS cargues, having been careful never to
come nearer home than New Orleans. Why
he had acted in this unpardonable manner
towards the family no one could tell, and he
eoSaaately refused all explanation.


There were strange rumors OF slaye-tra-
ding and piracy afloat, but they were only
TR,thispered conjectures rather than truth
Whatever might have been the motives for
MS conduct, he was certainly anything but
indifferent to his family concerns when he
returned. He raved IKE madman when in
formed of his wifes second marriage and
subsequent death, vowing vengeance upon
his successor and terrifying his daughters
with the most awful threats in case they re-
fused to acknowledge his claims. He had
returned wealthy, and one of the reptiles oi
the law, who are always to be found crawling
about the halls of justice, advised Kim to
bring suit against the second husband. as
suring him that he could recover heavy