Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-26

1.-The affair is settled, then. I know
you'll like it, so I shall pack up, and
start for Texas tomorrow. only want
ed to find stranger who would buv.
I've found one, and Job Potts is g. T. To
| "What does that mean 2" asked Ed
ward, laughing.
"Why, when man can't pay his debts,
he sticks that On his door and elopes. 1t
says, Gone TO Texas. Thank God Job
Potts amt in debt, but he is too confined
in these diggins." :"
Next day Edward went over the ground.
He found one hundred acres, of which
five were under cultivation. The house
was subtantial, the farm-yard well SUP
piled, the river handy to 60 down to the
neighborlng villages, or even to New
Orleans, if necessary, and Job Potts was
about to start On that stupenduous Jour-
ney in a skiff. In fact, it was quite clear
that the enterprising American sold his
property for one-fifth it's real value but
then he was one of those restless spirits
that can never rest in one place, and to
get rid of his property, at however great
a loss, was delightful.
His title deeds were good, the transfer
was effected, and that same night the
brother and sister slept in their new
home. They had with them an Irish
man, his wife, and two children, immi-
grants of the poorer class, whom the
young man engaged for three years to
work on the farm.
Edward devoted himself for some time
exclusivel Y to his new property, improved
the house, enlarged the fields, laid out
plans for cornfields, meadows, and other
necessary works, and thus year sped
rapidly. That time sufficed to prove to
Edward that he need have no doubt about
the future; and then after writing to Mrs.
Enderby and Emily to come out as soon
as they pleased, he added to his resources
by hiring a boy, and then procured some
sheep. During the twelve months, nearly
a dozen houses arose in the immediate
neighborhood, and the country became
peopled with that wondrouS rapidity
which is the greatest characteristic of
America. 1t was soon found that more
than hundred families were congregated
within a distance of ten miles, taking
Edwards house as the centre. A meet
ing was accordingly held, and it was
after some discussion determined that
church, chapel, and school-room should
be built about half mile from Edwards
residence, he being the person charged
with the management of the affair, the
drawings which ornamented his house
having betrayed his profession. The
young man was quite elated, and set to
work with enthusiasm. After months
labor and study he had completed his
plans, his duty demanding much of his
time, and they were submitted to COM
mittee. Unanimously they were approved,
and Mr.. Sergeant was elected architect
and surveyor for the district of White
county. From this hour his prosperity
was insured. He soon found enough en-
ployment out of doors to need further
assistance on his farm: he had rich set
tiers houses to erect, ground to survey,
and soon rumor spoke of his laying out a
town, one of the first inhabitants of which
was to be young doctor, who towards
the end Of the second year proposed for
Sophia, and was accepted with the hearty
consent of her brother. 1t was agreed
that the marriage should take place the
same day as that of Edward and Emily.
In the meantime the Doctor, who was
already pretty well off, had house built
at point where the future town was to
be, the land being his own, and laid out
in tempting lots for all who choose to
settle in Grahamyille.
Whilst Edward was rapidly advancing
towards bright and happy future, events
went on in the old country. Alfred had
taken possession of the farm house, hired
additional land, bought horse and cart,
and employed two laborers. His efforts
were at first praiseworthy in the extreme,
and there was no reason why, with indus
try and patience, he should not have sue
ceeded as well as Edward, even under
the disadvantage which poor man finds
in England as compared with new, fer
tile, rising, untaxed land. At the end of
the year he found himself a father, the
greater part of his money spent, and his
farm not over productive. He read with
secret envy his brothers letters and sighed
as he reflected how he had hopelessly
thrown away the chance of such rapid
success as he clearly saw would be his
brothers. His capital was spent, and
he had wife and child. A Journey to
America was, therefore, now impossible.