American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-08-25

not mortally offend bin. He had SO Of
Tended him, and tho offence was neither
forgotten nor forgiven. In more than
one instance his enemy had sought to
do him injury, but the poisoned arrows
flung from his bow, had flown harm
iessly by him.
Que day while in conversation with.
one Of those idle gossipping individuals
who give more attention to other peo.
pies business than they do to their own
tho latter said, i'll responding to some
i'll natured remark uttered against Mr..
Lee: 81 learned a fact yesterday that,
may be. you would like to hear
About that Lee2' eagerly inquired
Elder
Yes, OF might better say, about the
ground on which he has built that snug
little house,
Indeed' Our gentleman was all a..
live now, and com menced rubbing his
hands in delighted expectation. sWhat
about the groundP
Title defective,' was the laconic an
swer. .. .
No
Fact. Had it from old Larkin; and
| rather think he ought to know some
thing about it, -,
We'll, that is news. Got bad title
eh? | wonder who's on the hip now,
Mr.. Martin Lee| ....
But surely, Mr.. Elder said his in
formant, you will not take advantage
of this information to injure our friend
Leel' .. .t
Won't I. indeed! Wait and SEQ. III
don't deal him a staggering blow, my
name is not Jason Elder-lhat's ALL
| always said I'd bde my time. Ha !!
Ha! A flaw in his title. But that's just
his way of doing business. I'd like to
see any one pick flaw in mine.'
True to the evil purpose declared,
Elder took the first opportunity to
search out the party to whom the pro-
perty owned by Lee would revert, in
case defe ct really did exist in his title,
and communicated the fact alleged -
This individual, whose name was Earl,
seemed at first incredulous, but when
Larkin was mentioned as authority,
seemed to feel quite an interest in the
matter.
Il am really indebted to YOU he said
with a bland smile, should it prove
true that there is defect, shall have
quite wind fall; and it could not have
reached me in a better time. will
have the matter investigated at once.
That blow will tell hard surely. I
have planted it below the fifth rib said
Elder to himself, in tone Of cruel en-
ultation, as he left the presence Of Mr..
Earle.
Through much self-denial and hard
labor, continued through many years,
had Mr.. Lee been able to provide mo-
dest homestead for his family. He had
been the more anxious to accomplish
this, from the fact, that declining health
warned him of the approach ola day
how speedily it might arrive he knew
Dot--when the beloved ones who lean
ed on him so confdingly, would have
none to care for them. IF he could Sc
cure a home, into which they might
cluster together, he felt that much would
be gained. And this he had accom-
plished; but the effort cost too dearly.
! He had taxed his physical system to an
extent that produced serious reaction;
and, though he secured dwelling for
his family, he permanently weakened
his constitution. .
One day. in making sudden effort.
he ruptured blood vessel, and was ta-
ken homo in a dangerous condition.
! This was on the very day that Jason
Elder made tho unfortunate discovery
of defect in the title Of his property.
! Little dreamed he, as with death knock
| ing at bis door, ho found consolation in
the thought that his family, even if he
were taken from them, would not be
left without home; that, at tho very
time, there was a movement on foot to
! deprive them of their little patrimony.
Aud we'll for him was it that the veil of
| ignorance was before his eyes for had
| he known of the Threatened danger, tho
knowledge would surely have cost him
| his life.
On the day following. gentleman
called at the house Of Mr.. Lee, To noti.
| fy him that proceedings were about be-
ing instituted for tho purpose of testing
the validity of his title; but learning
that lie was dangerously i'll, he went a.
way without leaving any word as to the
purport Of his bnsines.
In the meantime Elder, who had not
heard Of Mr.. Lees illness, was awaiting
| with some interest to see tho ultimate
effect Of the blow he had struck
There were times, when, in a measure
he repented of what bo had done. But
the repentance was not very deep and
his ill-will towards Mr. Lee soon oblit.
Grated all traces thereof