Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-09-18

her of MS proceeding was manifestly wrong
and illegal. He dwelt at some length up
on the injustice of bis conduct, and closed
by stating boldly that in his opinion, Tom
claim was not a good one, but he was care
ful not to hint upon what grounds he ba
sed this belief. Toms reply was brief
lie solemnly declared that the digging
were his, and he should hold them unit
elected BY the law, or a superior physica
force; that he had consultedthe major par
OF the miners in that region, and they ha(
advised him TO the course. Attheconclusion
several volunteered to speak in his behalf
asserting in substance that Tom had shown
proof enough to convince them of his own
ership Of Dummy's lead; and as the Law
was very doubtful or slippery thing, the,
had advised him to do as be had doAe, as
surfing him that they would stand BY him
which they intended to do Rosenburgl
knew 1t was not prudent to attempt to re
gain them by mere force, after he fount
how matters stood, nor did he deem i
safe to proceed at law, on account Of til,
effectiveness Of the proof. No other cours,
opened itself for action at present, and h,
to wait some time, hoping tina
something would turn up in Dumlny's ia
yor that would put different aspect upol
affairs.
He Immediately notified the differen
and other purchasers of mineral tx
keep strict account Of all brought then
by Tom, and to refuse for some days t,
pay him the money
Dummy's condition soon changed, int,
one of a raging, burning fever which LASTED
four or five days, and then subsidized, in
measure, leaving the poor idiot more I'm
fortunate being than before. Paralysis
had seized his lower limbs and rendered i
impossible for him to stand upon his feet
and his sadly demented condition had beer
materially changed for the worse. Nov
he was by turns a senseless, chattering i'm
beetle and then the raving maniac It wa
a mournful sight to behold; enough to a
rouse the sympathetic feelings of the mos
stoical.
At one stroke, as it were, he had beer
robbed of his lead, and become a poor, mi
SCRABBLE invalid, an object of charity for til,
more humane. His hitherto unhapp,
mental condition, joined to his harmless
blameless life, the real JOY which pervade(
the breasts of a large portion of the com
munity at his good fortune in discovering
SO fiattering diggings, the loss Of tn,
same, together with his now wretched state
served to create a profound sensation a
mong nearly all classes.
In his helpless condition he required
constant and unremitting care, and was ii
consequence great burthen. Rosenburgl
deemed it his duty to acquaint his rela
tives Of his unhappy state, and suggest tn
necessity Of the presence Of some one t,
take charge Of him. He, therefore, wrot'
them the particulars of Dummy's histor,
for the last few months to put them int,
complete possession of the causes thst Lex
to his present misfortunes.
Meanwhile Rosenburgh had not ceaset
to make all inquiries in his power to fnt
out the whereabouts of Dick Sanders, an(
learned to his great disappointment thai
he had enlisted in the Florida War, anc
was either dead OF still in that distant re
gion.
Thus matters remained during the mex
three weeks, and during this time Ton
and Jenny had frequent interviews, knit
ting closer and closer their hearts; thei
affections expanding, and the beautiful vi
sions Of a life of great domestic felicity
were constantly opening up before them
He had grown considerably more gentl'
III his manner more subdued in the tone
Of his voice, and reserved in his demeano
in her presence, SO that she, with 8 wo
mans quick perception, could easily detec
the impression she was making upon him
and hence she argued her little mind int,
most decided belief, that were she his wife
her constant presence and supervision woe
mould him into quite respec
table man, Notwithstanding his many Sc
rious defects.
From time to time strange runors O
Toms injustice would reach her ears anc
give her great pain and anxiety that there
might be truth in them. She concluded
that there must be some little truth il
the numerous stories afloat; but Tom, at
their interviews, would contradict them all
with so much earnestness, and call on hea-
ven to witness the sincerity of his asser
tons, that while with him all doubts and
would vanish. He gave her toe
some specious excuse for not permitting
Dummy TO share the range with him, which
was to last but brief time.
Two weeks more wore away, and Dunn
my remained much the same, if anything
a little more imbecile, a great tax upon
Rosenburgh, which, however, he bore with
cheerfulness, for in his soul swelled the
great feelings Of humanity which make
men truly great. Tom continued to work
the range undisturbed, and the longer il
was worked the greater its wealth appear
ed.
At the Light House, often did this mat
ter come up in conversation among the mi
ners, and be discussed with great warmth
and animation; producing oftentirnes quite
different result upon the minds Of the lis
teners, always favoring Dummy's right,
from that expected.
Vague rumors and indistinct hints be-
rem to oeat aioat. that Tom had resortetl