Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-03-23
DAILY EVENING STAR.
rFoR THE STAR.
CONSCIENCE ". MONEY.


MEssRs. EpIroKs: The facts presented
in the following sketch may be interest
ing to your readers; and, as real names
are not employed, it is hoped the publi-
cation OF the incidents related will not he
deemed exceptionable, especially as the
example presented in the sequel is 50
worthy of imitation and respect: s.l- s.
Isaac Greenwood was a merchant in
one of our Northern cities. He died at
the age of forty, leaving a widow and one
chlld-a daughter, in comfortable circum-
stances. AS he left no will, his estate
was committed to j. W., friend of the
family, who assumed its management.
Mrs. Greenwood finding it desirable to
retire to the country, requested that a
suitable home might be secured for her
near the city. Her wishes being known.
she had the offer of small farm then
owned by wealthy merchant of the
same place, who, beieg on intimate terms
with the administrator. Mr.. j. W., was
soon able to effect the sale. The deed
was passed as usual, and Mrs. Greenwood
was soon quietly settled in her new home.
Here she remained during life, which was
long enough to witness the growth and
marriage Of her daughter, who, several
years after the death of her mother, with
her own child and husband, Mr.. F., con-
tinued to occupy the place.
1t happened that among other property
owned by Mr.. B. were twenty shares O,
stock in the Bank Of the United States
IN which he had also been director. He
had for some time had the money of the
Greenwoods on loan, secured by a pledge
Of this stock, which no finally prevailed
on his friend, their agent, to purchase for
them. Whether the condition of the
bank was really known to Mr.. B. at the
date of this sale is question. But so il
happened that the bank failed, and the
widow was left. in lieu of her money, the
sympathies Of friends !,
The trouble did not end here. It was
discovered that the attorney who pre-
pared the deed had only inserted what is
called in law phrase a special ararra,ty."
Scarcely y was Mrs. G. cold in her grave,
before suit was entered by third
party for the land. It remained in court
a number of years, but was eventually
decided in favor of the claimant and
nothing was left the unfortunate occu-
pants but to seek another home. .
Meanwhile our rich merchant had been
the fruits of his fortunate spec
ulati0n. At length age and disease began
to assert their authority over him, and as
he looked forward to death he looked
back on his life. One morning he sent
fo- his attorney, and addressed him sub
as fellows: "Mr. j, I am
about to die; wish first to do an act
of justice. | can hardly die in peace
without" He here related the circum-
of his sale of the bank stock to
Mrs. G. or her agent, remarking that
though he thought little of the matter at
the time, subsequent reflection had taught
him better, and concluded by directing a
codicil to his will to the following effect |
'' | bequeath to -, wife of -, and |
daughter of my deceased friend, j. G.,
the sum of $4,000. to be paid by nv |
executors, and deducted proportionately
from the legacies to my several children.
How beautiful and honorable an ex-
ample. Should the incident reach the
eye of any who, like Mr.. B., may have
been tempted to any concealment or other
act which has resulted injuriously to
another, and the opportunity of repara
ton is ever presented, to such we say.
SO 60 aud do likewise" The world must
admire, the poor will bless, your own
conscience will approve, and heaven re-
ward your action. S**~*R.