Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1845-08-14

I beard you fervently inplore the bless
ings.of heaven upon my grey hairs, an,
| thsKGod would reward my child for al
| Der kindness TO you. Taking down BIZ
family bible. The venerable old man adj
ed. "it is season OF affection, btt We o.,
not forsaken. let us look for support 10 Hin
who has promised 10 sustain u.s." He o
pened the book and read Although
the fg tree shall not blossom. neither shall
iruitbe 10 the. vines; the labors Of the 0.
live shall fsil and the fields shall yield nc
meet the Aocks shall be cut off from The
fold and there shall be no hero 10 The stall
YET will rejoice in The Lord; will JOY
in the, God Of nv salvation .
Charles and Lucy knelt beside The yene.
ra5le old man. and while be prayed, they
wepl Tears Of grateful emotion.
Twas a sleepless but not an unhappy
night 10 the three inhabitants Of tle1tea,
and cheerful dwelling they were about to
fleave and go they knew not where. II
was then that young Wilson slearnt the
real value Of money. By means Of il be
could give shelter TO those who had kind
ly received him when every other door
was CLOSED upon him. .
All night long be thought Of The Forged
Patent. There were a few words drop.
ped by Mr.. Davis which he could not dis
miss from bis mind-that Crosby had writ
ten 10 the real owner of the land, and o5.
tanned the promise Of deed.
II is,now time for the reader 10 become
more fully acquainted with The history Of
the young stranger.
His father Charles Wilson. Sr., was a
merchant Of Boston, who had acquired an
immense fortune. AT the close OF the
late war, when the soldiers received from
the Goyernmenttheir bounty Of 100 acres
Of land, many Of then offered their patents
to Mr.. Wilson for sale. Finding that
they were resolved to sell them, he con.
cluded TO save them from sacrifice of their
hard earnings and purchased at fair Price
all that were offered, In three wears no
small portion Of the Military Tract came
into bis possession. q.
On the day that Charles became Of age
be gave him deed of the principal parl
OIL. this land In Illinois, and insisted tha,
be. shoul l. go out TO see il, and if he lik ed
The country, settle there. Wishing him
70 become identified, with the people he,
recommended his son on his arrival in
he State, 10 lay aside his brosaldcIoth, and
dress like a backwoodsman.
ln compliance with this suggestion the
young nan had assiimed rude and rus
tic dress so inappropriate to his appear,
ance and manners, as 10 excite some sus
picion that be bad ss,.... -
Z On the morning OF his sons departure,
Mr.. Wilson received letter from m an
in Illinois who had frequently written
He wished to purchase certain, quarter
section at Government price, which MIR
Wilson promised be should have on those
terms, provided be forwarded certificate
from tbe Judge Of the Circuit Court that
the land was worth DO more, The letter
iust received enclosed the certificate in
question: Mr.. Wilson, had given this
tract to Charles, and putting the letter and
certificate into his hand, enjoined upon
him TO deed il 10 the writer. agreeable 10
promise, on his arrival in Illinois.
Theremarks Of Mr.. Davis fofcibIyre
minded young Wilson ofihis incident, and
on the next morning after be became ac-
qusinted with the design Of Crosby, with
a trembling band examined the letter and
certificate. II was written by Crosby. and
the land be wished 10 purchase, The iden-
teal farm OF Davis -,
Astonished that his friend, the Judge,
should certify that the land was worth no
more, Mr.. Davis asked 10 see the 1certifi
cate; and after a moments examination,
unhesi,a,ingly pronounced the signature
a FORGERY.
An explanation from the young man
now became necessary! and calling Lucy
into the room, told Them his story. and
laid before The m a Pile ofpatenis and bank
notes one after another, till the amount
reached thousands.
Ii was day Of thankful happiness 10
Simon Davis and bis daughter, and mol
less SO 10 young Wilson.
Notlong afterthis scene. Crosby enter.
ed. His air was that OF a man who has
an enemy in his power and intends ID
lrample upon him. He scarcely noticed
Wilson. except with look o. contempt
Alter pouring out all bis maledictions up.
on The family, be advised them to leave
ion mediaiely. The old man inquired i
| be would give him nothing Tor the i'm.
pTovements be bad made The answer
was mot cent" You certainly Iou.t
not, said Wilson, drive out this old mar
and his daughter peunilesss into The
world ~
What is that TO you. replied Crosby
with look of malice and contempt.
will answer you that question, said Will
son. and acquainted him with what ths
re adler already has learnt. Crosby at FRS
was Supplied with establishment, but wbeI
be saw that all his schemes Of yillainy
were defeated. and proof Of bis havinI
committed forgery could be established
bis assurance forscok hin. and he threw
himself upon bis knees aad begged, hrs
the old man. then Lucy and Wilson, 4
Ispare him.
| Much as they pitied, il was impossible
for them not 10 despise The meanness Q
bis supplicatious..
Il Wilson told him that be deserved o
mercy. That . moment since be voul
have driven The family Of Davis from thsi
home, Without even the means Of ten
pora.J support. He would pay Crosby
fair price fof bis property. and forbes
prosecuting him on condition Of his il
!. stanly quitting The country: