Year: 1875

DIohJ yCdAc oSo = h0PPChCu W pO taiO
of the referees in case that excited un-
usual interest in our courts, from the
singular nature Of the claim, and the
strange story it disclosed. The plaintiff,
who was the captain of q merchant ship
trading principally with the West In
dies, had married quite early with every
prospect Of happiness. His wife was
said to have been extremely beautiful,
and no less lovely in character.


Afte" living with her in the most un-
interrupted harmony for five years, dur
ing which time two daughters were ad-
ded to the family, he suddenly resolved
to resume his occupation, which he had
relinq dished on his marriage, and when
his youngest child was but three weeks
old. sailed once more for the West In
dies. His wife, who was devotedly at
tached to him, sorrowed deeply at his
absence, and found the 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, the insufficient but well
come substitutes, arrive to cheer her
solitude. Months lengthened into years
and yet no tidings were received from
the absent husband; and after hoping
against hope the unhappy wife was COM
PEELED to believe that he had found q



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 in order to support her chi.-
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 moderate
| but pr rosperous circumstances, accident
ally became acquainted with her. and
| pleased with her gentle manners no less
than her extreme beauty, endeavored to
| improve their acquaintance with friend.
ship.


After some months he offered his hand
and was accepted. As the wife of O sue
cessful merchant she soon found herself
, in the enjoyment of comforts and luxu-
! ries such ms she never had possessed.
Her children became his children and
| received from him every advantage that
wealth and affection could procure.
| Fifteen years passed away; the daugh-
ters were married and by their step-fa-
ther were furnished with every comfort
requisite in their new avocation Of keep
ing house. But they had hardly quilted
his roof when their mother was taken
i'll. She died in a few days, and from
that time until the period of which I
speak, the widowers resided with the
youngest daughter.


Now comes the strangest part Of the
story.


After an absence Of thirty years, DUR
ing which time no tidings had been re-
ceived from him, the first husband re
turned just as suddenly as he had de-
parted.


He had changed his ship, adopted
another name and spent the whole OF
that long period on the ocean, with
only transient visits on shore, while
taking in or discharging cargoes; hav-
ing been careful never to come nearer
home than New Orleans. Why he had
acted in this objectionable manner to-
wards the family no one could tell,
and he obstinately refused all explaua-
tion. There were strange rumors OF
slave trading and piracy afloat, but
they were only whispers of conjecture
have been his motives for his conduc
he was certainly anything but indif'
ferent to his family when he returned.
He raved like o madmanwhen informed
of his wife's second marriage and sub
sequent death, vowing vengeance upon
| his successor, and terrifying his daugh
ters by the most awful threats, in case
they refused to acknowledge his claim
He had returned wealthy, and one Of
the mean reptiles of law, who are al
ways to be found crawling about the
halls of justice, advised him to bring
suit against the husband, assuring him
that he could recover heavy damages
The absurdity of instituting claim
for wife whose death had already
released from the jurisdiction of earth.
ly laws was so manifest that 1t was al
length agreed by all to leave the matter
| to five referees.


1t was on bright and beautiful af.
ternoon in spring when we met to hear
the singular case. Thesunlight stream
ed through the dusty window of the
]court room, and shed halo round the
long gray locks and broad forehead OF
the defendant; while the plaintiffs
harsh features were still thrown into
bolder relief, by the same beam thai
softened the placid countenance ofhif
adversary.


The plaintiffs counsel made a mos
eloquent appeal for his client, and hat
we not been informed about the matte
our hearts would have been melted by
the touching description of the return
of the desolate husband, and the agon,
with which he now beheld his house
hold goods removed to consecate
Strangers heart. The celebrated Aa
ron Burr was counsel for defence, anC
we anticipated from him splendit
display of oratory.


Contrary to expectations. however
Burr made no attempt to confute hi
opponents oratory. He merely opene,
book of statutes, and pointing wit


his thin finger to one of tho pages, de
sired the referees to read it, while b


retired for moment to bring in til
"principal witness" We had scarcel


finished thissection (which fully decic


ed the matter in our minds) when Bun
re.entered with tall and elegant fl


male leaning on his arm. She was al


tired in simple white dress, with
wreath of ivy leaves encircling he
| lo,oa rtro ur houpat and n face yelled