Year: 1866

| nAouy J0dIo dS9O Hdpp0ncu W OO OHo vi
the referees in case that excited unusual
interest in our courts, from the singular ma
ture 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
beautiful, and no less lovely in character.


After living with her in the most unin-
terrupted harmony for five years, during
which time two daughters were added to
the family, he suddenly resolved to resume
his occupation, which he had relinquished
on his marriage, and when his youngest
child was but three weeks old sailed for
the West Indies. His wife, who was de-
votedly attached to him, sorrowed deeply
at his absence, and found her only com
fort in the society of the children and the
hope of his return. But month after
month passed away, and he came not nor
did any letters, those insufficient but well
come substitutes, arrive to cheer her soli-
tude. 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 well
tering ocean.


| Her sorrow was deep and heartfelt but
the evils of poverty were now added to
her Affections, and the widow found her
self obliged to 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 grudg-
ingly bestowed on a 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
extreme beauty, he endeavored to improve
their acquaintance with friendship.


After some months he offered his hand
and was accepted. As the wife of sue
cessful merchant she soon found herself in
the enjoyment of comforts and luxuries
such as she had never possessed. Her
children became his children, and received
from him every advantage which wealth
and affection could procure.


Fifteen years passed away; the daugh-
ters married, and by their step-father were
furnished with every comfort requisite to
their new avocation as housekeepers. But
they had hardly quilted his roof when
their mother was taken i'll. She died af-
ter few days, and from that time until
the period of which l speak, the widower
had resided with the 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 re-
turned as suddenly as he had departed.


He had changed his ship adopting an
other name, and spent the whole of that
long period on the ocean, with only tran
sient visits on shore, while taking in or
dischargiDg cargoes, having been careful
never to come nearer home than New Or
leans. Why he had acted in this unpar-
donable manner towards the family, no
one could tell, and he obstinately refused
all explanation.


There were strange rumors of slave
trading and piracy afoat, but they were
only whispered conjecture rather than
truth. Whatever might have been his
motives for his conduct, he was certainly
anything but Indifferent to his family con-
Germs when he returned. He raved like a
mailman when informed of his wife's sec
ond marriage, and subsequent death, VOW
ing vengeance upon his successor, and ter
rifying his daughters with the most awful
threats, in case they refused to acknowl-
edge his claims. He had returned veal
thy, and one of the mean reptiles of the
law, who are always to be found crawling
about the halls of justice, advised him to
bring a suit against the second husband,
assuring him that he could recover heavy
damages. The absurdity of instituting
claim for wife whom death had released
from the jurisdiction of earthly laws was
so manifest, that it was at length agreed
to by all parties to leave the matter to be
adjudged by five referees.


1t was upon bright and beautiful af-
terHoon in spring, when we met to hear
this singular case. The sunlight streamed
through the dusty windows of the court
room, and shed halo around the long,
grey locks and broad forehead of the de-
fendant-while the plaintiffs harsh feat
ures were thrown into still bolder relief by
the same beam which softened the placid
countenance of the adversary.


The plaintiffs lawyer made most elo-
quent appeal for his client, and had we not
been informed about the matter, our hearts
would have been melted by his touching
description of the return of the desolate
husband, and the agony with which he
beheld his household gods removed to
consecrate strangers hearth. The ce1e-
brated Aaron Burr was counsel for the de-
fendant, and we anticipated from him a
splendid display of oratory.


Contrary to our expectations, however,
Burr made no attempt to confute his op-
ponent's oratory. He merely opened a
book of statutes, and pointing with his
thin finger to one of the pages, desired
the referees to read it, while he retired
moment, for the principal VitneSS.


We had scarcely finished the section,
which fully decided the matter in our
minds, when Burr re-entered with tall
and elegant female leaning on his arm
She was attired in simple white dress,
with a wreath of ivy leaves encircEng her
large straw bonnet, and lace veil COM
pletely concealing her countenance. Burr
whispered few words, apparently encour-
aging her to advance, and then gracefully
raised her veil, discovered to us face of
proud surprising beauty. l recollect as
well as if it happened yesterday, how sim
ultaneons the murmer of admiration burst
from the lips of all present Turning to
the plaintiff, Mr.. Burr asked, in cold,
quiet tone


"Do you know this lady 2"


81 do"


"Will you swear to that q