The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-16
ger. His name was Charles Wilson and his pa

ternal home, Boston.
few days afterwards when Mr.. Davis was
absent from home, and Lucy engaged about her
household affairs, Wilson saw at the head of the
bed, his pack, and recollecting something that he
wanted, opened it. The first thing he saw was
the identical pocket book whose loss had excited
so many bitter regrets. He recolected having
placed it there the morning before he reached
Brents Prairie, but in the confusion of the moment
that circumstance was forgotten. He examined
and found every thing as he left it.
This discovery nearly restored him to health,
but he resolved at present to confne that secret
to his own bosom. 1t was gratifying to him to wit
ness the entire confidence they reposed in the honor
and integrity of stranger and the pleasure
with which they bestowed iavors upon one whom
they supposed could make no return but thanks.
Night came and Mr.. Davis did not return
Lucy passed sleepess night In the morning
he watched hour after hour for his coming, and
when sunset approached and he was still absent,
terrified at his long and unusual stay she set
ting out to procure neighbor to go in search of
him, when her parent appeared in sight. She ran
to meet him, and was bestowing upon him
thousand embracing expressions OF affection, when
his haggard woebegone countenance startled her.
He uttered not t; word, and went into his
house and seated himself in silence. 1t was in
vain that Lucy attempted TO. cheer him. After
long pause, during which a powerful struggle
was going on in his feelings, he arose took his
daughter by the hand and led her into the room
where Wilson was seated. You shall know ALL
said he. 4 am ruined-I am beggar. In few
days | must quit this :house-this farm which
have so highly improved and thought my own.-
He proceeded to state that few days before, Cros-
by in moment of un governable malice tainted
him with being beggar, and told him that he
was now in his power, and he would crush him
under his feet When Mr.. Davis smiled at what
he regarded only as an impotent threat, Crosby,
TO convince him, told him that the patent of his
farm was forged one, and that he, Crosby,
knew the real owner of the land-had written
to purchase it-and expected a deed in a few
days. Davis Immediately went home for his pa
tent, and during his long absence had visited
beyond all dispute was a forged one, and the
claim of Davis to the farm, not worth farthing,
1t may be proper to observe that counterfeiting
soldiers patents was regular business in some
of the eastern cities, and hundreds had been du-
ped.
1t is not for myself, said the old man, that
grieve at this misfortune. | am advanced in life
and it matters not how or a0bere | pass the few
remaining days of my existence. | have a.
home beyond the stars where your mother has
gone before me, and where | would have long
since joined her, had not lived to protect her
child, my own my afectionate Lucy. The weeping
girl flung her arms around the neck of her ia
Their, and poured her tears upon his BOSOM We
can be happy still, said she, for | am young and
can easily support us both.
A new scene followed in which another indi-
vdual was principal actor. shall leave the read
er to form his own opinion of it and barely re-
mark THAT at the close, the old man took the
hand of Lucy and young Wilson, and joining
them, said, my children | cheerlully consent to
your union. Though poor, with good conscience
you can be happy, know Charles that you will
be kind to my daughter, for few nights ago, when
you thought no3 human ear could hear you,
heaven upon my grey hairs, and that God would
reward my child for all her kindness to you.-
Taking down his family bible the venerable old
man added, 'it is a season of affection but we are
not forsaken, let US look for support to Him who
has promised to sustain us He opened the book
and read, Although the fig tree shall not BIOS
som, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labors
of the olive shall fail and the fields shall yield
no meat the hocks shall be cut off from the fold
and there shall be no herd in the stall, yet will
| rejoice in the Lord will joy in the God off
my salvation
Charles and Lucy linet beside the venerable
old man and while he prayed they wept tears of
grateful emotion.
1t was sleepless, but not an unhappy night
to the three inhabitants of the neat and cheerful
dwelling they were about to leave and go they
knew not where. twas then that young Wilson
learnt the real value of money. By means of it /
he could give a shelter to those who had kindly
received him when every other door was closed
upon him.
All night long he thought of the forged patent
There were a few words dropped by Mr., Davis
which he could not dismiss from his mind-that
Crosby had written to the real owner of the land
md obtained the promise of deed.
1t is now time for the reader to become more
ulIy acquainted with the history of the young
stranger. &
His father, Charles Wilson, Senior, was a mer- &
liant Of Boston, who had acquired an immense
ortune. At the close of the late war when the t
oldiers received from the government their boun- S
y of lGO acres of land, many of them offered
heir patents to Mr.. Wilson for sale. Finding t
hat they were resolved to sell them, he conclu- v
led to save them from sacrificing their hard t
arnings and purchased al fair price all that t
we're offered In three years no small portion r
E al