Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-05-07
From he Illinois BdckcOodsman.
THE FORGED PATENT.


vades every corner Of the State, had not
been awakened. The bluff Of our own
beautiful river had never sent back the |
echo Of the steam engine. Without
market for their produce, the farmers con.
fined their labors to the wants of their FAM
lies. Corn was nearly the only crops
raised, and from the time it was laid by |
at the end of July, till pulling time, in No
vember, was holiday, and the interven.
ing period was passed in idleness, except
on Saturdays. On that day, duly as it ar
rived, the settlers far and near, collected
at the distillery, and amused themselves
with shooting at mark, trading nags,"
and too often, when the tin cup had passed
freely around, in fighting.
This sir, is by no means picture Of all
the settlements of that early period, but
that it IS graphically true of i any, none
Of our oldest settlers deny. But to my
narrative.
On Saturday afternoon in the year 1919,
a young man was seen approaching with
slow and weary steps, the house, or rather
distillery, of Squire Crosby, Of Brent's
Prairie, an obscure settlement on the Mill
tary Tract. As usual on that day, a large
collection of people were amusing them
selves at Crosby's, who owned the only
distllery in that region-who was ma
gistrate, and regarded by the settlers as
rich and great man.
The youth who now came up to the
group was apparently about twenty one
years of age, of slender form, fair and
delicate complexion, with the air of one
accustomed to good society. 1t was evil
dent at a glance that he was not Injured to
the hardships of frontier life, or labor Of
any kind. But his dress bore q strange
contrast with his appearance and manners.
He wore hunting shirt of the coarsest
linsey wolsev, q common straw hat and a
pair of deerskin moccasins. A large pack
completed his equipment.
Every one gaxed with curiosity upon
the new conner. In their eagerness to
learn who he was, and whence he came,
and what was his business, the horse-swap
was left unfnished,-the rifle was laid
aside, and even the busy tin cup had
temporary respite.
The young man approached Squire
; Crosby, whom even stranger could dis
!. zitInguIsEI as TIRE principal personage among
them, and anxiously inquired for house
where he might be accommodated; say
ing that he was extremelyill, and felt the
symptoms of an approaching fever.
Crosby eyed him keenly and suspicious.
ly for a moment without uttering Word.
Knaves and swindlers had been recently
abroad, and the language of the youth be.
trayed that he was ''a yankee" name al
that time associated in the minds of the
ignorant with every thing that is base
Mistaking the silence and hesitation Of
Crosby for fear of mis- inability to pay, the
stranger smiled and said, 81 am not with.
out money!" and putting his hand into his
pocket, TO give occular proof of the as.
{ sertion, he was horror struck to find thai
: his pocket book was gone. 1t contained
d every cent of his money, besides papers
of great value to him.
Without farthing-Wthout even 9
single letter or paper to attest that his char.
acter was honorable-in a strange land
and sickness rapidly coming upon him
: these feelings nearly drove him to despair
The Squire VINO prided himself on his sa
IF lsgacity in detecting villains, now found tht
IS use of his tongue. With loud anC
sneering laugh ne said. STRANGER, you arr
= barking up the wrong tree if you think K
Il cotch me with that arr Yankee trick 0
:. yourn." He proceeded in that inhumat
strain, seconded by nearly every one pres
ent, for the Squire was powerful, and few
dared to displease him. The youth iel
: keenly his desoate situation, and castin!
his eve around over the group, in tone Q
, deep and desparing anxiety, inquired, +" !
e there none who viii receive me q " Yes
Will, cried a man among the crowd; ''yes
poor sick stranger, / will shelter you ~
Then in u lower tone he added, 81 know
not whether you are deserving, but ! know
you are fellow being, and in sicknes
and in want, and for the sake of Hlmw
died for the guilty, if not for your ow
sake, win | Be kind to you, poor younI
= stranger
The man who stepped forth and proffeI
ed a home to the youth in the hour Of SUI
: fering, was Simeon Davis, an elderly mar
d who resided near Crosby, and TO whor
a the latter was deadly enemy. Uncl
b Simeon, as he was called, never retaliateC
e and bore the many prosecutions of his Yln
g dictive neighbor, without complaint. III
family consisted Of himself and daugfitel
bis only child, an afcctionate girl Of seN
cnieen.
p The youth heard the offer Of Nh. Davf
but heard no more, for overcome b. b
feelings and extreme illness, be tell lneeT
80 slble to the earth. He was conveyed
1y the house.of his beneinctor, and q phys
clan called. Long was the struggle B,
II tween life and death. Though nncol
81 scious, lie called upon his mother and sists
o. to aid him. When he youth was lai
upon her bed, and she heard him callin
= for bis sister, Lucy Davis Went and said
= him, poor sick young man, your sister
III far distant, and cannot hear YOU. val
BY 10 Won sister. Wei did thia dark aYe
u maiden keep her promise
AT length the crisis d hIs disorder
n rived the day which vas 70 decide 9
be question Of life 81 death. Lucy 81
he over him with intense anxiety, Wasc1lE
every expression Of bis features. bard
~ daring to breathe, 30 fsarlul was sl'e
waking BIN from The only sound .e'
which Sc had enjoyed for nine long aa'
% and aiuhis length he aWoke ano s.
~ tte ffrn ~ .ffrT DAVIS. a.