The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-11-29
The kentuckY Forger.


It is related of that unfortunate man,
I.siartln brown who was once prom
Nnent member Of the Kentucky Legisla.
tire, but was confined in the Penltentiary
for forgery-that when he first settled in
Fexas, the inhabitants were determined
30 drive him out of Austin's Settlement of
ISSan Felipe, because he had been a con-
svict. Austin had forbidden such persons
20 settle on his ground, and the colonial
laiy passed by him was strict in prohibI-
tiag an asylum for refugees and all per-
sons rendered infamous by feonies, of
whatever description they may be-a law
which the father of Texas always enforc-
ed with the utmost of 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 punish
mept.
The messengefwas William S.
Austln's private Secretary, young man
of cultivated intellect, noble heart, and
generous to a fault. He arrived at the
Green Heart Grove, the residence of
Brown and his family, one summers noon
and found the family circle formed around
their frugal table. 1t was the dinner
hour.
s. forthwith delivered Austin's S
written order, which Brown glanced over
and then said mournfully.
Tell General Austin that | shall never
move from this spot until | move into my
grave. 1t is true that [ committed a great
crime in my native state; but also suffer
ed the severe penalty of the law: and then
with my dear wife and children, who still
love me, stole away from the eyes of
society, which | no longer wish to serve
or injure, to live in quiet and die IN peace.
| am ready and willing to die but on my
family's account [ cannot and will not
leave this spot.
His wife and daughter implored him to
change his resolution. They avowed
their willingness again to undergo the
tolls and privations of emigration, and if
necessary prepare for new home in the
wilderness. But prayers, tears and en-
treaties were alike in vain. To every
argument Martin Brown gave the same
answer in calm and sad voice.
'l chose my place of burial the first day
set my eyes on my little grove, and |
shall not change my mind now"
s. returned deeply smitten with the
scene he had witnessed, related to Gen.
Austin the singular state Of facts and in
terceded urgently for relaxation of the
law, which rested in the discretion Of the
colonial chief.
You have suffered yourself to be smit-
ten by the charms ofthe beautiful Emma
said Austin with a smile
$ tried to look indignant, which
l. IL
blush.
Il will go and see Martin myself ad-
ded the General, but he will have to make
out strong case to alter my determine
ton
When Austin arrived in the evening at
his destination, the family of the grove
were almost distracted with grief
Browns countenace alone wore its usu-
al mask of tranquility. His story told
to General Austin was simple as it was
brief
'It is true he said, Il was in the Pen
itentiary of Kentucky; but L was in the
Legislature before was in the State Pris-
on; and while member of the Sanate,
opposed with all my might the manufac-
ture of so many Banks. Those Banks
soon afterwards beggared thousands, a.
mong them me and my children. l was
then tempted, in order to save my family
to perpetFate forgery, or to do that on a
small scale, which the State and Banks
bad so long been doing on large one.
paid the forfeit of my crime. While
the grand swindlers rolled in affiuence, |
pined alone in felon's dungeon. Hav-
ing served out my time, resolved never
again to commit another wrong. | have
kept my word, and have but one desire.
to be let alone to die
General Austin did let the old man
alone, and cancelled the order for his BAN
ishment, and was ever after his steadfast
friend.
$, the private secretary, made an
other visit to the Green Heart Grove, and
the beautiful Emma is now the wife of an
eminent lawyer and a bright particular
star of fashions sphere at Galveston.
Martin died at last in peace, and was
buried in his beloved grove, (at his special
request,) in a most fantastic manner
standing erect, in full hunters costume,
with his hand raised towards heaven and
his loaded rifle on his left shoulder-N
o. Pieaytaae.
.fcco"naodating.-A physician adver
I lSed that, at the reouet of his friends he