Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-04-09

ness rapidly coming upon him-thcse feel
ngs nearly drove him 10 despair. The
Squire, who prldcd himself on his sagacity
in detecting villains, now found the use of
his tongue. With a loud and snecring
laugh he said Stranger, you are barking
up the wrong tree if you think for TO eofeh
me with that are Yankee trick Of yourn.'
He proceeded with that inhuman strain.
seconded by nearly every one present, for
the Squire was powerful and few dared
displease him. The youth felt keenly his
desolate situation, and casting his eye over
the group, in tone of deep and despairing
anxiety, inquired, lis there no one who will
receive me ? yes, | will cried man A.
mong the crowd; yes, poor sick stranger,
will shelter you Then in lower tone he
added, Il know not whether you are dcscrv-
ing, but know that you are a fellow being,
and in sickness and want, and for the sake
of him who died for the guilty, if not for
your own sake, will be kind to you, poor
young stranger
The man who stepped forth and proflor-
ed home to the youth in the hour of suf-
ferlng, was Simon Davis, an elderly man
who resided near Crosby, and TO whom the
latter was deadly enemy. Uncle Simon.
as he was called, never retalated, and bore
the many prosecutions of his vindictivc
neighbcr, without complaint. His family
consisted Of himself and daughter, his only
child, an afiectionatc girl of seventeen.
Ehe youth heard the offer Of Mr. Davis,
but heard no more, for overcome by his
feelings and extreme illness, he fell nsen-
sible to the earth He was conveyed TO
oc 10 &C, IL,
called. Long was the struggle between
life and death. Though unconscious, he
called necessarily on his mother and sister
to aid him. When the youth was laid upon
the bed and she heard him calling for his
sister, Lucy Davis wept and said to him,
poor sick young man your sister is far dis
tant and cannot hear you, but | will be to
you sister, Well did this dark-eyed
maiden keep her promise. Day and night
she watched over him except the short in
tervals when she yielded her post at his
bed side to her father.
AT length the crisis of his disorder ar
rived-the day that was to decide upon the
question of life or death. Lucy bent over
him with intense anxiety, watching every
expression of his features, hardly daring to
breathe, so fearful was she of waking him
from the only sound sleep he had enjoyed
for nine long days and nights. At length
he awoke and gazed up in the face Of Lucy
Davis, and family inquired, where am .
There was intelligence in that look
Youth and good constitution had obtain
ed the mastery. Lucy felt that he was
spared, and bursting into flood of ire
presslble tears, rushed out of the room.
ii was two weeks more before he could
sit up even for a short time. He had al
ready acquainted them with his name and
residence, but they had no curiosity to
know further, and forbid his giving his
story until he became stronger. His name
was Charles Wilson and his paternal 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 recolec-
ting something that he wanted, opened IT.
The first thing that he saw was the identi-
cal pocket book whose loss had excited so
many bitter regrets. He recolected hay-
ing placed ii there the morning before he
reached Brent's Prairie, but in the corfu-
sion Of the moment that circumstance was
forgotten. He examined and found every
thing as he left il.
This discovery nearly restored him to
health, but he resolved at present to con
fine that secret to his own bosom. 1t was
gratifying to him TO witness the entire conf
dence they reposed in the honor and integ-
rity Of a stranger, and the pleasure with
which they bestowed lavors upon one whom
they supposed could make no return but
, thanks.
Night came and Mr. Davis did not return
Lucy passed sleepless night In the
morning she watched hour after hour for
. his coming, and when sunset approached
and he was still absent, terrified al his long
! and unusual stay she was setting out to pro-
cure neighbor to go in search Of him
when her parent appeared in sight. She
ran 10 meet him, and was bestowlng upon
him thousand embracing expressions o.
affection, when his haggard woebegone
couutenance startled her.
lie uttered not word, and went into BIZ
. house and seated himself in silence. Il
"A. 4