Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-07-26
The Kentucky Forger in Texas.

tits related of an unfortunate man, Martin
Brown-whc was once prominent member Of
the Kentucky Legislature, but was confined in
the Penitenliary for forgery--that when he first
settled in Texas, the inhabitants were detelmin-
cd to drive him out of Austin's settlement of San
Felpe, because he had been convict. Austin
himself had forbidden such persons to settle on
his ground, aud the colonial law passed by him
was most strict, prohibiting an asylum to refu.
| gees, anu all peIsulIs IUHuorOa A.-------.
MES, of whatever description they might be-a
law which the father of Texas always enforced
with the utmost rigor. Hence, as soon as the
settlers informed the general of this new case,
he Immediately sent an order warning Brown to
decamp within three days on pain Of summary
punishment. The messenger was s., Aus
tins private Secretary, young man of cuItva-
ted intellect, noble heart, and generous to fault
He arrived at Green Heart Glove, the residence
of Brown anG his family, one Summers noon
and found the family circle formed around theil
frugal table. 1t was their dinner hour S.
forthwith delivered Austn's written order, which
Brown glanced over, and then said, mournfully
"Tcll General Austin that never shall move
from this spot till move into my grave. 1t j
r true, | committed great crime in my nallv
State; but also suffered the penalty of the Of
, Tended law and then, with my dear wife an
Children who still love me, stole away iror
! the eyes of society, which no longer wish
serve or nure, to live in quiet and die in peace
Q | am ready and willing 10 die, but on my FAM
. y's account, cannot and will not leave thi
v spot"
J.. His wife and daughters impored him to chang
# his resolution. They avowed their willingness
o. again to undergo the tolls and privatlons of m
l. grafton, and, if necessary, to prepare new HON
IS in the wilderness. But prayers, and tears, ar
entreoties were alike in vain. To every argl
J. ment, Martin Brown gave the same answer, in
- calm, sad voice, 81 chose my place Of burr
l. the first day set my eyes on my little grow
or and shall not change my mind now"
i s. returned, deeply touched with VIII
y. he had witnessed, related to General Austin {
q. singular state of facts and irterceded urgent
Va for relaxation of the law, which rested in /
h discretion of the colonial chief
=, "You have suffered yourself to be smitten
/. the charms of the beautiful Emma SAID Zen
-, ~, nj A uz,in, with n smile.
C. s. trIed TO look Indignant, which ef
- merely resulted in a burning blush.
a 81 will go and see Martin myself" added
n. General; "but he will have to make out strt
ID. case to alter my determination"
al When Austin arrived in the evening at
:. destination, the family Of the grove were ain
~ distracted with g-ief--Browa's countenanc'
lone wore its old mask Of marble tranquility
- His story told to General Austin was sin pie
y it was brief.
~ at is true" he said :" was in the Peni,
~ tiary Of Kentucky but was in the Legisat
before was in the State Prison, and viii
-" member of the Senate, opposed with ell
90 might the manufacture Of many Banks. II
GO Banks soon afterwards beggared thousands,
- among the rest NC and my children. |
then tempted, in order to save my family, TO
"o petrate forgery, or to do that on small 81
ny which the State and its Banks had been so !
no doing on large me paid the forfeit of
'n' crime. While the grand swindlers rolled
VI splendid oflincnce, pined alone In fcon's d
ne geon. Having served out my time, resol
nc never aguin to commit a wrong have
my vow, and have now but one sole desire, L
let alone or de-"
General Austin did let the old man ale
Cancelled the order for his Punishment, and
ever afterwards MS steadlast TREND
oSt s., the private secretary, made Of
an visits to the Green Heart Grove, and, the bt
I'D tltul Miss Emma is now the wife Of an emI
'gS Lawyer, and bright particular star" of fl
oi IONS sphere at Galveston
en- Martin Brown died at last in peace, aud
Pn' buried in his beloved grove, lat his special
en, Qucst.) in most fantastic manner, standing e
AXIS III full hunters costume, with his right hand
YES ed toward heaven, and his loaded rifle on
TO left shoulder. Ills biography proves a G
mes tuh-one which all tones of human his
nus proclaim, as with the warning cry of miIliC
en- trumpets,-" That the crimes of Govcnn
line never fail to produce their counter-parts il
Is vices of their individual subjects.--.S L
lie ReueiHe.
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