Year: 1867

Many years ago / happened to be
one of the referees in case that eX-
cited uiiusual interest in our courts
from the singular nature ofthe claim
and the strange story which it dis
closed. The plaintiff, who was cap
tain of ship which traded princi-
pallv with the West Indies jhad 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 sud
denly resolved to resume his occu-
patton, which he had relinquished
on his marriage, and when his young
est child was but three weeks old,
he sailed for tho West Indies. His
wife, who was dovotedly at
tacbed to him, sorrowed deeply at
his absence, and found her 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
tutes, arrive to cheer her bitter 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 a grave beneath the weltering
ocean.


Her sorrow was deep and heart
felt, but the evils Of poverty were
now added to her attilictions, and
the widow found herself obliged to
resort to some employment in order
to support her children. Her
needle was the only source, and for
ten years she labored early and late
for the desirable pittance which is
ever SO grudgingly bestowed on an
humble seamstress.


A merchant in new York, in mod
est but prosperous circumstances,
accidentally became acquainted with
her, and, pleased with her gentle
manner, no less than her beauty, he
improved the acquaintance with
friendship.


After some mouths he offered his
hand and was accepted. AS the
wife Of a successful merchant, she
soon found herself in the enjoyment
of comforts and luxurier such as
she had never possessed. Her chill
dren became his children, and re-
ceived from every advantage which
wealth and affection could procure.


Fifteen years passed away; the
daughters married, and by their step
father were furnished with every
comfort rexuisite to their new avo-
cation as house-keepers. But they
had hardly quilted his roof when
their mother was taken I'LL. She died
after few days, and from that time
until the period of which | speak, the
widower had resided with the young
est daughter.


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 husband returned as suddenly
as he had departed.


He had changed his ship, adopt
ing another name, and spent the
whole Of that long period on the
ocean, with only transient visits on
shore, while taking in or discharg-
ing eargoes, having been careful new
er to come nearer home than New
Orleans Why he acted in this un
pardonable manner towards the fam
lily on one could tell, and he obstin
ately refused all explanation.


There were strange rumors o.
slave trading and piracy afoat, bu
they were only whispered conjecture
rather than truth. Whatever nigh
have been his motives for his con
duct, he was certainly anything bu
Indifferent to his family concern:
when he returned. He raved like +;
madman when informed of his wife:
second marriage and subsequen
death, vowing vengeance upon hi
successor, and terrified his daugh
ters with the most awful threats il
case they refused to acknowledg'
his claim. He had returned wealth,
and one of the mean reptiles of tn
| law, who are always to be founc
crawling about the halls of justice
advised him to bring suit agains
the second husband, assuring hin
that he could recover heavy damag
es. The absurdity of instituting
claim for wife whom death had re
leased from the jurisdiction of al
earthly laws was SO manifest, tina
at length it was agreed to by all par
ties to leave the matter to be adjudg
ed by five referees,


1t was on bright and beautifu
afternoon in spring when we wen