The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-02-04
oTTUMWA, IOWA. THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 1853.

such sweet music was discoursed, and that
family Of such pleasant manners. To be de-
lprived Of such home and forced into the vale
Of poverty, would render most families and in
| dividuals miserable In the extreme. But not
so with the Legrands. Their philosophy told
them they could be happy ss they chose in
any other place, and having led life Of indus
TRY, they knew they could procure all they
really wanted. During the progress Of the
case that involved their right to their home,
they manifested no disquietude, or intimated
any painful forebodings as to the fsture. 1t
was pleasant conversation they held q few
days before the determination Of the suit, Mr..
Legrand came in and seating himself with his
family. remarked:
ssI suppose we shall lose oul good farm and
this delightful residence.''
81 Has your lawyer given up the case ?" ask
ed Mrs. Legrand
| He says there is no hope: and supposes q
scheme of bribery has been so ingeniauslv con-
Quoted as to defy all attempts to break it up
and bring the guilty to punishment
"How pitiable are those who are engaged in
so dishonorable business. When defrauded
Of every cent, we shsll be infinitely happier
than those made rich in this unholy enterprise.
do pity them,' said Emma.
"Beloved csughter," returned her father,
"yoIr sentiments are noble"
What have we ever done to move others
against us ir this matter ?o enquired Mrs. Le-
grand. do fear we have wronged some
one. would not have it so for thrice the VAL
ne Of our estate.'
"It is all a mystery to me-" answered her
husband. s'I was Not aware that we had an
enemy in the world. 1t has been my whole
aim in my intercourse with others to give no
possible cause Of offence; and You, my ear
wife, have more than sustained me in this -
and our daughter and son here have gained us
and themselves much esteem by their amiabil-
ity."
| Ifear," said Emma, shat have caused
this whole, proceeding against u.s."
6 No my daughter" !" replied her mother, sit
cannot be-"
Did not father say that the case was sus-
tanned by bribery? and who would venture on
such course of crime against the eagle eye
ofthe court and lawyers, if some inducement
beyond wealth did not prompt? and who that
is able to buy the honor of others would risk so
much, unless to crafty violent revenge, or
under the hope that it would accomplish some
favorite object ?''
"Emma, you surprise me-, said her moth
er. " How could this be ?''
"Do not love Arthur Harold? Does not
James Salter love me? Have not given my
hear. to the poor Harold, and have not re-
iected the rich Salter?o
| Her father and mothei manifested much
surprise at this, and seemed to penetrate the
secret. Emma saw that they under stood the
cause and remarked sorrowfully:-
gives me much unhappiness, that I am
the means Of bringing my kindest of parents
to poverty. Iwould had not loved.,
"Say not so my daughter" returned the
father, /" nor be troubledin the least for your
parents will not feel a single disagreeable
emotion. il they are deprived of every farthing.
1t willnot occasion them any unhappine.s,
for they have no fears OF the future. More
than this. your parents are proud of the object
Of yonr love, as If he were their own son.''
Have we lived in vain.o responded her
mother, 6 that such trifing matter should
trouble us! No, Emma, thought you knew
your parents better"
Emma reproached herself for her remark and
asked them to pardon her.
"Can they take all from us ?'' enquired Mrs
Legrand.
Have we not claims for the improvements
we have made ?''
eve have." replied her husband, but i,
will not benefit us. Bills have been forged so
ingeniously upon me, that it is impossible to
bear the recovery Of their amount. It will re-
quire everything can raise to pay them"
"Well, let it go," said Mrs. Legrand- we
have health, economy, ard willingness to live
by our daily toll"
A short time after the above conversation
the verdict Of the jury made the Legrand fami-
They had only few days in which
to leave the premises. The value Of the i'm.
provements hal been paid over, and Mr.. lie.
grand had paid it all upon the forged bills-
an still there was balance due. It was on
q. pleasant evening that the family walked for
the last time, before their departure, liz the
! garden.
"Well, Emma, - said her father, eve mus,
leave this beautiful spot, and all the swee,
flowers that have almost become part OF our
! selves"
sNo NATTER" replied she, sswhat mnst be
cannot besavoided. We can soon replace
them aa him."
Butwe have 70 land on which to cultiva.e
them, or even to raise our own food,n inter-
| posed her mother.
"We can hire small farm" replied the
father.
"And father and can till Il, y said the son.
eve can raise wheat, corn and flax and we
can have few Sheep
And mother and can spin the wool and
fax, and weave the cloth. and make all our
clothing. Why shall we not be as happy az
ever ?" said Emma.
"We shall, my noble danghter," replied
her father, a. he imprinted on her cheek kiss
- .Ho.xs.r & AfI,. .nv A. .-;,l..A