The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-01-19
Story of a Land Warrant.

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| IN all our great cities in the article of
r Land Warrants, and in many of the Wes-
tern towns the trade in them is quite as
active. Forgeries without number have
been practised in relation to them, until
now register 'detector' is almost as neces-
sary for the transient dealer in them as
for storekeeper who handles country
money. Many, too, are the curious incl
dents connected with the history and To-
cation of Land Warrants. Let us repeat
a single instance as it was related to us.
Near the battle field of Monmouth re-
sided revolutionary veteran, and his
little family, a wife and only son. A
scanty lot of grouud, too sandy to be ever
made but indiIerently productive, was
nevertheless suficiency for family
whose wants had always been extremely
moderate. Sheltered by one of the prin-
tive cabins of the country, over which
the storms Of winter howled without start
ing stone from the chimney, or shingle
from the roof, and fed by healthful in
dustry, they passed along the vale of life
in simple, sweet contentment. Here with
an honest, grateful pride, did the old
man behold his country rising in national
prosperity and grandeur, to a peerless
rank among the nations of the earth
Here, too, he could have spent the few
remaining days left for him, had not the
death Of his wife, aud the future welfare
of his son, opened a new and wide field
for exertion. He knew this son might
shortly be left alone in the world, without
earthly guardian or support, and he felt
the imperious call Of duty to see him set
tied permanently and prosperously in life,
before he should be gathered to his faith
( ers.
No plan seemed open to him, as likely
to succeed, but to avail himself of hith-
erto neglected military Land Warrant
This title covered an ample tract some
where in the Eastern part of Kentucky;
but from the changes of names and
boundaries consequent upon the laying
off of new connties, he was unable to l.
IDENTIFY the precise location. But at all
hazards, he resolved to search for it in
person. He sold off bis trihing property,
discharged his little debts, and set for
ward on foot-it was long before the age
of railroads-with the frmness Of one
Injured to long continued marches under
musket and knap-sack, followed by his
son and dog. No matter what emotions
thrilled his bosom at abandoning the
home of his childhood, the grave of his
! departed wife, and the thousand little as
sociations which make up the sum of
HOME, his features wore the aspect of
determined resolution. Not so the SON.
In that grove, and by the babbling brook,
he and his dog had gambolled through
many verdant holiday. In that dear
old cabin, often had he beguiled the win
ter evening by listening to bis fathers
legends of the war, or put up his prayers
at his departed mothers knee. To all
these affecting "reminiscences he was now
bidding an everlasting farewell. Beyond
THEM, everything was blank. Tears
flowed from his young eyes as he turned
away forever from the cottage of his ma
tivity on the battle ground of Monmouth.
Painfully they travelled Westward, un-
til they reached the nearest branch of
the Allegheny, on which they embarked.
but poorly supplied with provisions for
the voyage, for long travel on the road
had made him almost pennyless. After
days of hardship and exposure on the
river, they made their little boat fast to
tree that overhung the river side. The
mansion of a thriving plantor lay in full
view before them, and thitherward they
directed their steps. Evening had al
ready cast its heightened shadows over
the landscape, and cold and comfort
less November night was fast settling
down upon them. Avoiding the main
entrance to the building, which was tight
ly closed, both door and window, the old
veteran knocked timidly at the kitchen,
and asked the privilege of shelter for
himself and child until morning. The
owner turned q deaf ear to the humble
application, and bid the travelling vaga
bond begone Ingratitude overcame the
heart which stood undismayed in many a
hurricane of balls, and he crawled into
an ut-housc of the boorish planter, where,
hungry, wet and cold, he slumbered
soundly on bed of straw.
Daybreak saw the travellers on their
way to an adjacent town, where warmth
and refreshments terminated their spirits.
They found themselves on one of the
great alluyial bottoms Of Kentucky. The
veteran sought lawyer, exhibited his
warrant, and found, to his astonishment,
that it made him master of wealthy
plantation. Closer examination identi-
fed it as the very ground from which
they had been 50 unfeelingly repulsed the
night before! The brutal occupant was
forced, in his turn, to beg;-yet his prayer
was more availing, for the humane veteran
permitted him to spend the remainder of
his days on a remote corner of the plan
tation-the fitting termination of what
had been long career of knavery anu
cruclty.-Htl. Reg
} BgFAn innocent young sportman, In
n central on the ton OF n