Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-05-19
DRIFTWOOD JOHNSON.

very strange occurrence look place some
years since in the Furnishing city OF Cincinnati,
and is yet fresh in the minds of many residents
there, not by any means as old as the Oldest
nhabitant," who knows all things. 1t is still
told, of a cold winters night around a cheerful
firesde, to many wondering youngster, and
the moral instilled into their young minds with
greater force from the circumstance Of its be-
ing as true as gospel"
The hero Of the tale was an old man named
Johnson, who had lived from boy in the place.
and followed curious trade for livelihood
Early and late he was seen down by the rivers
side collecting driftwood, and he toiled at it SO
necessarily, day after day and year after year,
that it at last became whispered about that old
Driitwood Johnson was making money; that he
had invested his little earnings well, and had re-
allied large sums by fortunate specnlations; but
still he chung to his old business He was mean
in dress and saving-all the money he ever
spent, except for the merest necessaries Of life,
being for the education Of most lovely daugh-
er, for the old man had a wife and child. At
last Dritwood bought very large brick house,
or built one and, much to the surprise of every
body, furnished it elegantly, and brought his
daughter home from school to be tie belle of his
mansion. 1t was good way out Of town, but
he said the city would grow 10 it. and so it has
There was always something mysterious about
the old mans family; and his wife, who was
very amiable woman, had careworn, anxious
look, that no one could account for. The beauty
and accomplishments of the daughter soon
brought her plenty Of lovers, who sighed and
pinned for her hand but the favored Of all was a
young mercantile clerk, connected with one of
the most fourishing establishments in Cncin-
natl, and soon became partner. His suit pros.
pered, and he hoped to make the daughter Of old
Driifwood his wife. lie used to think it a very
odd circumstance that during all his evening
visits, which were far from being few and far
between" he never could meet the man, and all
his inquiries after him failed to elicit satisfactory
replies but, knowing that the old man was
what is generally termed" an odd fish, he new
er troubled himself much about the matter.
On returning to his store late one night, after
a visit to his lady love, he was Mortified upon
opening the door at finding the mangled and
bleeding corpse Of a man, stranger. He had
apparently fallen from the second or third story
through the hatchway. and been killed almost
instantly. The watch were called in, and the
poor wretch was taken to the watch.house and
a physician sent for to see the body. lie hat
been dead for hours, and there was nothing lef
but to enteavor to find out who the man WAS
and hold an inquest over his body. There was
no trace or sign abont him that could possibl.
lead to recogntion-no paper, no mark on hi
clothes, and bunch Of skeleton keys, a box O
matches and small dark lantern were all tina
he had about him so the inquest was held the
next morning, a verdict in accordance with TIT
facts rendered, and the body buried.
The next evening. upon visiting his INTENDED
the lover found the family uneasy at the contin
ued absence of old Driftwood, but he persuaded
them that he had suddenly been called away OF
business, and would soon return. Advertise
ments were put in the papers, but no clue to hin
could be obtained, and the people at last believed
that he had either been murdered or carried dowr
the Mississippi, while gathering drlltwood, ant
drowned. in his house there were number o.
, rooms which had always been locked, and The
KEYS of which old Driftwood had always kept
and when it became necessary 10 settle his al
, fairs these rooms were forced open, and found
; to contain goods to large amount, of all kinds
and descriptions; silks, satins, broadcloths. I'm
ems, sl,awls, watches, jewelry, and in short, al
sorts of goods and valuables of every description
The secret was out Old Drittwood had 70
: years employed pedlars to sell goods through tn
. western country, and sent them down in fla
boats to points on the Mississippi below Cincin
natl and all of them he had himself, unaide
by any accomplice, stolen. The man who wa
: found by the clerk bleeding corpse was Oh
! Dritwood Johnson. The clerk, however, con
' WINGED that the daughter Of the old man was in
D nocent and unaware that her father had pursue
for years a system of burglary and thievins
q married her, and she is now mother, surround
ed BY numerous family. Truth is strange
$ than fction.-N. o. Picdyune'