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

The changes which the last twenty years
have wrought in Illinois, would be Incredible
10 one who has not witnessed them. At that
period our settlements were few, and the
spirit Of enterprise that now pervade every
corner Of the State, had not been awakened.
The bluff of our own beautiful river had ncv.
or sent back the echo of the steam engine
Without market for their produce, the farm
crs confined their labors 10 the wants of their
own families. Corn was nearly the only crop
raised and from the time it was laid Jy,' the
end Of jane, till pulling time in November
was holiday, aud the intervening periot
was passed in idleness, except on Satur
days: On that day dny as it arrived, the
settlers. far and near. collected at the distil
Iery, and amused themselves with shooting
ut 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
IL is graphically true Of many, none Of our
oldest settlers need deny. But to my nara
tive.
One Saturday afternoon in the year 1919,
young man was seen approaching with
slow and weary steps, the house, or rather
dlstillery, Of squire Crosby, of Brent's Prai-
rie, an obscure settlement on the Military
Tract. As usual on that day, a large col.
lection Of people were amusing themselves
ut Crosby's, who owned the only disillery
IN that region,-was q magistrate and re-
garded by the settlers as a rich, and great
man.
The youth who came mp to the groupo was
apparently about twenty one years ofage, Of
slender form, fair and dclcate complexion,
with the air Of one accustomed to good So
ciety. 1t was evident ot a glance that he
was not Injured to the hardships Of frontier
life, or labor Of any kind. But his dress bore
strange contrast with his appearance and
manners. lie wore o hunting shirt, Of the
cosrscst linsey woolsey. common straw
hat, and q pair of deerskn moccasins. A
large pack completed his equipment.
Every one gozed with curiosity upon tho
new conner. In their eagerness 10 lcarr
who he was, whence he came, and wha
was his business, the horse swap was lef
unfinished, the rifle was laid aside, ont
even the busy tin cup had temporary res
pitc.
The young man approached Squire Cros
by. whom even stranger could distinguish
rs The principal parsonage arong them, ant
anxiou~ly enqurcd for house where he
extremely i'll and felt all the symptoms Of ar
approaching fever.
Crosby eyed him kcenly and suspiciously
Tor moment without uttering u word
knaves and swindcrs had been recently
abroad, and the language Of the youth be-
ulIayed that he was a'Ysnkce,'a name nt
'hn, ''nc associated in the minds of the igno.
,uH WIN every thing that il base. Mista-
KING inc silence and hesitation Of Crosby. for
Yea, OF inability to pay, the stranrer smiled
anu ,a,o' am NOT without money and put
unp W. n""u 10 hls pocket 10 give occular
proof of the assertion, he was horror s,rncL ,oI
find that his pocket book was gone. I, con.
tanned every cent Of his money, besides po.
pcrs IF great value to him.
Without faribing-wibou, ev6n single
letter or paper d. attest that be- was honorn
bIs-in strange laod and frvcr raridy
,oining upon hini- these feelings nearly drove