Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-06-27
SELECT TALE.
From the Flag Of Our Union
PIE NYSTERY OF LAGRANGE;
OR,
THE HIDDEN TREASURE.
~ J. ". ROBINSON.

there !. 4 small town called Lagrange
II Il far back in the interior. and situa'
ted near where q broad rivulet takes its
rise. whose waters gliding smoothly on
make themselves useful by driving a mul-
t;tude Of mills Of various kinds. The
population Of the settlement at present
numbers some hundreds, and although
there is little beauty in its dwellings and
surrounding scenery, yet there is a sort
of rude romance about it far from unat.
Inactive.
Lagrange has its dense forests, compo.
sed Of sturdy beech, the stately elm. the
Iordly maple, the birch and the willow;
and il has its rugged hills, its rocky val
leys, its green meadows, and its mean
dering streams: but more than all, it is
celebrated for its mysteries. one or two Of
which are Of a very romantic and thrilling
character, and it is Of these we are abou,
90 write.
In the summer Of 183-, upon a fail
morning in the sunny month of June, a
young man was vending his way towards
. small tract Of land lying upon the out
skirts Of Lagrange. lie was about TWEEN
~ years Of age. His features were rough
ened and Drowned by constant exposure
to the sun. He wore with an easy. inde-
pendent air. the garb Of back woods
man. A loose jacket Of dark gray stuff
Of home manufacture covered pair of
broad shoulders and an expansive chest.
while checked pants Of make and text
ure far from fashionable. and far too short
to be in keeping with the present style.
hung, rather than fitted, about his neither
limbs. Brogans. clumsy and inelegant in
the extreme. with stockings Of a nameless
hue. finished out the toilet Of that portion
Of the body where such articles should be
worn. His hat could by no means be
called good one. a part of the brm-
which was very wide-had entirely dis
appeared, either through the natural cf-
fects Of age, or by some sudden disaster,
while the morning wind had free access
to his head through the crown which
seemed on the eve Of dissolving all co.
partnership that had hitherto existed be-
tween the same and the surrounding
structure. Il was a bad hat. A faded
Deckclo,h, which in happier days might
have been used for a pocket handker-
chief. was tied loosely about the neck
A sharp. heavy axe cleaned in the newly
risen sun. he bore upon his shoulder
This last fact gives the reader clue to
his calling. which was no mean one The
young man was a farmer, and there can
be no nobler occupation than tlling the
ground. Notwithstanding the shabbincss
Of the dress and his rustic appearance,
there was pride and frmness in his step
becoming alike, whether exhibited by the
prince or the peasant. Yet, though his
step was firm and his bearing proud and
manly. there was certain dropping Of
the eye. and thoughtful aRd even sad
expression about the mouth .9that indica-
ted a mind i'll at ease. Suddenly he
paused in his walk and passed his Draw
nv hand over his broad brow. whcreon
the sun had worked so rudclv. For a
moment he stood as if bcwllered with
the multiplicity of his own fast coming
thoughts. lie gave voice to his medita-
tons at length; but it was with an effort.
and his tones were sad and low. His
words proved that he was not the rustic at
heart which his cxternals seemed to de-
note.
1T shall be so;' he said. zone more trial
one last effort. and if | am unsuccess-
full, farewell to Lagrange. cannot stay
to see her won by another cannot re-
main to look upon the triumph and hap
YIueSS VI u tUOVe SuCCcSSIui ubuu. NO!
no! that would drive me mad ] will see
her once more-otfer her yet again the
the love Ct an honest heart. and the pro-
lection of a strong hand. II she scorns
me with her eyes. if she taun,s me with
her tongue. then | will away. and the
proud maiden shall be troubled with my
opportunities no more
As the Young man spoke. he threw his
axe from his shoulder and sat down upon
the root Of a tree that grew near his path.
George Daniforth-he was called thus
was the son Of poor farmer. and his
greatest sin was poverty. Naturally gift
ed with intellectual powers Of high or
der, he was not long in discovering that
his education had been sadly neglected,
and that there was a more enviable posi-.
ton aitainablc by him, could he overcome
the difficulties which circumstances had
thrown in his way. He longed to place
his name beside the names Of others who
had been fighting the battle OF life.' and
won renown. Dreams Of the future were
continually in his thoughts. He never
could divest himself Of the darling idea
that nature had in her munficence de-
signed him for a different sphere than
that which he had hitherto occupied
While his mind was thus engaged, he
formed an acquaintance with Ellen Sum-
ner. young lady Of considerable person.
al beauty. with pride to match.
George Dantforth fell in love with FL.
len at first sight. But he was no, a per.
son to win proud maiden easily. She
would not listen to his suit. She believed
herself far too good for a man who wore
homespun pants and round jacket. no,
to mention the brogans. Still George was
not wholly discouraged. He availed
himself Of every opportunity to prevail
on the obstinate fair one to crown his wish
cs; but hitherto he had most signally fail.
ed. tie now resolved, as we have stated.
to see her once more ard make final at
tempt.
Young Danttorsh knew his RI site habits
wore i'll calculated to secure the love of
maiden fair. and he felt bitterly the lead.
en- weight Of his poverty