Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-02-07

Ii is now time for the reader To become
more fully acquainted with The history Of the
young stranger.
Ills father, Charles Wilson, Senior, was
merchant OF Boston who had acquired an i'm
mense fortune. At the closo of the late war
when the soldiers received from the govern
mcnt their bounty of lC0 acres Of land, many
OF them offered their patents to Mr. Wilson
for sale. Finding that they were resolved to
sell them, he concluded 10 save them from
sacrifice of their hard earnings and purchase
at fair price all that WAS offered. In three
years no small portion of the Military Tract
came into his possession. On the day Charles
became of age he gave him deed OF prin
cipal part of his land in Illinois, and insisted
that he should 90 out to see TO il, and IT he
| liked The country, settle there. Wishing hlm
to become identified with the people, he re-
commended his son OH his arrival in the State
to lay aside his broad cloth and dress like O
back woodsman.
On the morning Of his sons departure, Mr.
Wilson received letter from man in H.
linois, who lad frequently written. lie wish
ed to purchase q certain quarter section at
government price, which Mr.. Wilson promls-
cd he should have on these terms, provided
he forwarded a certificate from the Judge OF
/ the Circuit Court that the land was worth no
more. The letter Just received enclosed the
| certificate in question. Mr.. Wilson had gi-
ven this tract to Charles and putting the let
ter nnd certificate into his hand enjoined up
on him to deed il to the writer agreeable IL
promise, on his arrival at Illinois.
/ The remarks OF Mr.. Davis forclbly remind
ed young Wilson Of this incident, and on the
next morning after lie became acquainted
with the design of Crosby, with trembling
hand examined the certificate. 1t was writ
ten by Crosby, and the land he wished tc
purchase, tho identical farm of Davis.
\ Astonished that his friend the judge should
certify that the land was worth no more, Mr.
| Davis asked to see the certificate, and after
a moments examination unhesitatingly pro-
nounced The signature o. forgery.
II An explanation from the young man now
became necessary. and calling Lucy into the
room told them his history and laid before
them a pile of patents, and bank notes one
| after another till the amount reached thou
| sands.
Il 1t was day of thankful happiness to old
| Simon Davis and his daughter, and not less
to young Wilson.
/ Not long after this scene Crosby entered.
| His air was that Of man who has an enemy
in his power and intends to trample on him.
| lie scarcely noticed Wilson except with a
look of contempt. After pouring out all his
maedic,ions upon the family, he advised
them to leave Immediately. The old man
cnqnircd if he would give him nothing for the
improvements hc had made? The answer
was "not cent" You certainly would not,
said Wilson, drive this old man and daughter
pennyicss into the world?
What is that to you, replied Crosby, with
look of malice and contempt. | will ans
wer you that question, said Wilson, and nc.
quainted him with that the reader already
has learnt. Crosby, at first was stupfed
with astonishment, but when he saw that all
his schemes OF villainy were defeated, and
proof of his having committed forgery could
be established, his assurance forsook him.,
and he threw himself upon his knees and
begged, first the old man, then Lucy and
Wilson, to spare him.
Affected with his appeals, the latter
agreed to purchase the farm upon which
Crosby lived upon condition of his instantly
leaving the country. He accepted the terms
and with his family fed to Texas.
Why should | spin out the narrative
Lucy and Charles were married, and tho a
/ splendid mansion soon rose up on the farm OF
L Mr.. Davis, both loved far better the little
room where she had so long and anxiouSly
watched over the sick bed of the homeless
stranger. Mr.. Wilson was rich, but never
forgot those who were in want
Cheered by the kind and affectionate at
tention of his children, Old Simon- Davis
almost seemed to have renewed his existence.
lie lived many years, and long enough to tell
the bright eyed son of Charles aud Lucy the
story Of The FORGED DEED. And when
he told the listening boy how his father, when
poor and friendless, was taken home and
kindly treated and in turn became their bene-
factor, he impressed upon the mind of his
grand child, that " even cup of cold water
given from pure motive shall not lose its
reward"