Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1849-03-01

and read these words:
aAh graceless wretch and Kanton fool
you are ruined forever This is the only r,
lief for those who waste their patrimony q
you have done. Behold, then-put the rop
around your neck, jump from the stool, an
save your family the disgrace of ending in
beggar.n ~ .-ea -
Very excellent counsel" said the Heir Q
Linn, sand must either hang or starye
think I'll take my fathers advice aud hang
1t is the shortest death Of the two.n So &
mounted, fastened the halter round his neck
and kicked the stool from under him.
But the Heir of Linn was not to die so.-
The board in which the hook was driven
gave away with his weight, and he fell /.
the floor with q shower of gold coin rattlin,
about his ears. / will not say that he fell
no pain in bis neck the next day, but at the
moment he certainly felt none Joy rusheC
into his heart like torrent, at seeing him
self rescued from beggary The space be
tween the ceiling and the roof contained an
enormous treasne. On the upper side Of the
board from which he had thought to hang
himself, was fastened letter addressed t.
himself lie hastily tore it open, and read
as follows:
@My Dear Son III know your character
and that no expostulation or advice can turn
you from the desperate courses you are now
pursuing. Nothing but misery sharper than
death can cure yout II, therefore, your mis-.
fortunes and suffering should be so grieyous
that yog prefer death to enduring them, |
have some hope that you will not rashly en-.
counter them again. You have made the
trial-take my gold, redeem your land, and
become wiser and better man"
The Heir of Linn did not leave the SPOT
without putting up prayer to heaven for
the soul OF that parent, whose admirable
VISION had discovered means of RAISING
him from beggary and despair to all
and Of weaving him from the follies and vices
which had disgraced his character. To g.
vince his gratitude, he resolved to mend his
HE from that day forward, and become all a
fathers heart could wish.
But first he thought he would make ono
more strial of hisnfalse friends ON whom he
had wasted his time, his substance. and his
character. lie therefore kept his newly dis
covered wealth a secret till he heard that
John OF the Scales intended to give great
entertainment, and that all the lords and Ia
dies of Galway would be there.
When the Heir of Linn entered his a.
theirs hall, it was crowded with richly dress.
ed gentlemen; but he was in begpar,s rays
de appealed to the charity of thnra -s..-slsy,
said-aYou have Toasted at my board q
thousand times-will you now deny Inc the
crumbs that fall from your own 7" To an
other-"I gave you fair steed and trap
pings" to the third--s.I lent .Yon a thou
iHe = and SO on to all the rest of the COM
pany. But, instead Of remembering his "a
rors, they reyiled him, and called him SPEND
thrift, beggar, and all manner Of vile names,
Some said it was shame that such wretch
ed object should be suffered to come among
them; and one, to whom, more. than all the
rest, his purse had always been open, called on
the servants to thrust him out Of doors.
But one took his part 1t was Mr.. Rich
ard LaRkland. n poor younger son of veal
thy gentleman He stood up and said 81
never ate at the board of the Heir of Linn
1 never rode his horses, or shared his purse.
or received fayors of him to the value Of 4
farthing. d But what then2 Hewas worthy
gentlemanswhcn he had the means. / have
twelve gold mobiles and that is all I own in
the world and here are six Of them at the
service Of the man whose hand was never
shut to the poor And as I am gentle
Man. no one shall lay hand on him while / /
wear sword" A glad man was the Heir of
Linn to find one man worthy to be his friend.
lie took the six mobiles aud advanced to-
wards John of the Scales, who was standing
at the end of The hall, attired in gorgeous
apparel
aYou at least,n said the Heir Of Linn,
sought to relieve my necessities, for you are
grown rich upon my ruins, and gave you
good bargain of my lands"
Then John of the Scales began to revile
him, aud to declare that he had given much
more for the lands than they were worth,
and rcprimanded him in severe terms for his
extortion before 50 much goodly company.
Nay said he to the Heir of Linn, aif you
will but return me the half of what paid
you for your fathers estate, you shall have it
back again" e
perhaps I may find friends who wiIllend
ne the sum- said the Heir Of Linn; sstherc-
fore give me promise under your hand and
seal, and / viii see what can Be done.n
John of the Scales knew that few people |
IN the country had SO much money, even If it
vas common thing to lend money 70 beg
CARS, and he had seen what reliance was to Be |
placed on friends in such case He had
not the least idea that the Heir Of Linn
would ever be the owner Of hnndredth part
IF the sum- He therefore called for pen
md ink, and paper, and sat down before the
and wrote the promise, and SCOT
ingly gave il to- his fopmer master.
Then the Heir Of Linn strobe to the win
low and opened il and took bugle from
under his tattered garberdine, and blew till |
he joists and rafters shook the din. Pre- |
;entiy fair troop of servants rode up, well |
armed and mounted, leading mule With |
hem laden with treasure. They dismount-
ID and brought the gold into the hall
aMy father,s land is my own again r. |
,ried the Heir Of Linn joyouslg, and before
he company had recovered from their a. |
he counted out to John Of the |
Scales the sum he had just agreed 70 taks.- |
Then turning to his servants he sid
-Scourge this viper out Of the house Of Linn
With dog uhipsn And il was done.
The company thea crowded around him.
him on fecorering his patri.
mony, and excusing their own neglect and
ingratitude- BE. said 10 them, ~Caififs,
slaves, dogs begoleI Pollute the door Of /
nv house no longer. If eenter my grounds
,eain, i viii have the servants loose tie
hounds upon yop- $500
70 master Iankland be said, aComs .
my arms-come 70 my heart ny friend, NJ
brother Live IN my house, and share with
TIE Heir ct Linn IN all things