Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-01

regarded as only an impotent threat, Crosby
to convince him, told him that the patent o.
his farm was forged one, and that he, Crosby
knew the real owne. of the land had written
10 purchase it, and expected a deed in a few
days. Davis Immediately went home for bis
patent, and during his long absence had visited
tne isnd Othce. Crosby was right. The pat.
ent, beyond all dispute, was a forged one and
the claim OF Davis to the farm was not worth a
farthing.
Ii may be proper to observe that counter
letting soldiers patents was a regular business
In some OF the eastern cities, and hundreds had
been duped.
1t is not for myself" said the old man,
" that grieye at this misfortune. am ad.
Vanced In life, and it matters not where or
now pass the remainder of my existence. |
have little home beyond the stars, where
your mother has gone before me, and where I
would have loved to protect her child, my own
atectionate Lucy" The weeping girl threw
her arms around the neck of her father, and
poured her tears upon his bosom, ''We can be
happy still, said she, "for am young and
can easily support us both"
A new scene followed, in which another in
dIViduai was the principal actor l shall leave
the reader to form his own opinion of il. and
barely remark that at its close, the old man
TOOK the hands of Lucy and young Wilson, and
tnen joining them, said: my children, |
cneeriuily consent to your union. Though
poor, with good conscience you can be happy
kLow, Charles, you will be kind to my daugb-
ter, tor few nights ago, when you thought
that no human ear could hear you, heard
you iervently implOre the blessings of heaven
upon my gray hairs, and that God would re-
ward my child for al her kindness to you "
king down his family Bible, the venerable
o'd man added-"It is a season of aflction.
but we are not fOrsaken. Let us look for sup
port 10 HIM who has promised to sustain us
lie then opened the book and read:
Although the fig tree shall not blossom.
neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labors
OF the olive shall fail, and the fields yield no
meat the focks shall be cut off from the fold.
and there shall be no herb in the stall vet will
yoy In the God of my salvation"
Charles and Lucy knelt beside the yener-
able old man, and while he prayed. thew went
tears OF grateful emotion. 1t was a sleeples.
pat not unhappy night 10 three inhabitants of
leave, and go they knew not where.
1t was then that young Wilson learned the
real value OF money. BY means of it he could
give shelter to those who had kindly received
him when every other door was closed upop him
All night long he thought of the forged pat
ent. Inere were few words dropped by Mr..
paws which he could not dismiss from his mind:
nj
the land, and had now obtained the promise of
the deed "a
IL Is now time for the reader to become fully
acqualDted with the history of the young man.
Ills father, Charles Wilson, senior, was n rner.
ehant IN Boston, who bad acquired an immense
fortune. At the close Of the war, when the
soldiers received from the government their
bounty of one hundred and sixty acres of land,
many oil them offered their patents to Mr.. Viii
"a q ind IL IL
to sell them, he resolved to save them from the
sacrifice of their hard earnings, and he bought.
at n falr price, all that was offered In three
years no small portion cf the Military Tract
came into his possession.
On the day that Charles became of age. he
gave him deed Of the principal part Of this
land In Illinois, and insisted that be should 90
out and see it, and if he liked the country.
settle there. Wishing him to become identi
fed with the people, he recommended his son
TO lay aside his brOadcloth, and dress like n
Dlckwoodsman. In compliance with this sug
SeStlon, tho young man had assumed a rude
and rustic dress 80 inappropriate to his an
pearance and manners as TO excite some sus
picion that he had motives for concealing his
real character.
On the morning Of his sons departure. Mr..
W iison received letter from a man in Illi-
nois, who had frequently written. He wished
to purchase certain section at government
price, which Mr.. Wilson promised he should
have on these terms, provided he forwarded a
certificate from the Judge of the Circuit Court
that the land was worth no more. The letter
Just received inclosed the certificate in aues-
ton. Mr.. Wilson had gwen this tract 10
Charles, and putting the letter and certificate
into his hand, enjOined upon him to deed it to
the writer, according to promise, upon his ar
rival in Illinois
The remarks Of Mr.. Davis forcibly reminded
young Wilson of this Incident, and on the next
morning after he had become acquainted with
the plan OF Crosby, with trembling hand be
the letter and certificate. 1t was
written by Crosby, and the land he wished to
purchase was the identical farm of Davis
Astonished that his friend the Judge. sbould
certify that the land was worth no more, Mr..
Davis asked TO see the certificate; and after a
examination, unhesitatipgly pro-
nOunced its signature forgery
An explanation from the young man now
became necessary, and calling Lucy into the
room, he 'Old them his story, and laid before
them pile of patents and bank notes, one af-
ter another until the sum reached thousands.
l was day of thankful happiness to Simon
Davis and his daughter, and not less SO to
young Wilson.
Not long after this scene, Crosby entered.
His cir was that man who has an enemy in
his power, and Intends to trample upon him.
lie scarce noticed young Wilson except with a
look of contempt. After pouring out all his
naledictions upon the family, the old man in
luired if he would give nothing f,r improve.
ments made. The answer was, mot cent. -
" You certainly would not,'' said Wilson.
drive out this man and his daughter penniless
into the world"
-" What's that to you ?'' replied Crosby, with
look OF malice and contempt.
Will answer that question, said Wilson.
and he acquainted him with what the reader
has already learned
Crosby was ut first petrifed with astonisb-
ment, bat when he saw that all his schemes of
yillany were defeated, and proof of his having
committed forgery could be established, his
assurance forsoOk him, and he threw himself
upon his knees, and begged first the old man,
then Lucy and Wilson, to spare him
Much as they pitied, it was impos, bic fo, { .em
not to de'pise the meanness Of the application
Wilson told him that be deserved no merov
That a mOuont since he would have driven the
family of Davis from their home, without even
meIns Of temporary support. lie would pay
Crosby fair price for his property, and for
bear prosecuting him on condition of his in
stantly quitting the country.
Crosby accepted the offer. The writings was
A