Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-06-26
THE FORGED PATEN r.
BY JOHN RUSSEL.

to any one who had not witnessed them. A
that time the settlements were lew, ana IN
spirit Of enterprise which now prevades ever
corner of the state, had not awakened. Th
bluffs of the beautiful Illinois River had neN
er sent back the echo of their steam engine
Without n market for their produce, the fal
mers confined their labOrs to the wants {
their own families Corn was nearly the or
lv crop raised. and from the time it was ''lai
by." near tine end OF June, till ,,"puling time,
in November was holiday and the inter
vening period was passed in idleness, excep
Saturdays. On that day, duly as it arrived
the settlers, far and near, collected at the dis
tillery. and amused themselves with Sbooth
ing at mark trading nag and too often whel
the tin cup passed Fl eely around, in fighting
This is by no means Of picture of all tn
settlements of that early period, but that
is graphically true of many, none of the old
est settlers will deny.
On Saturday afternoon in the year 1918,
young man was seen approaching, with slov
and weary steps, the house, or rather distil
Iery OF Squire Crosby, of Brents Prairie, al
obscure settlement on the Military Tract. A
usual on that day, large collection of peo
pie were amusing themselves at Crosby's Wit
owned the dstillery in that region, was
magistrate. and regarded by the settlers al
rich, and consequently great man.
The youth who now came up to the group
was apparently about twentyone years o
age and of slender form, fair and delicate
complexion, with the air of one accustomed
to good sOciety,an it was evident at a glance
that he was not Injured to the hardshlps o
frontier lie, or labor ofany kind. But his dres
bore strange contrast with his appearance
and manners. lie wore hunting coat of the
cOarsest linsey wools,y, common straw hal
and pair Of doeskn moccasins. A large
pack completed his equipment.
Every one gazed with cusiosity urOn the
new conner. In their cagerness to learn who
he was whence he came and what was his
business, the horse swap was left unfinished
the rifle laid aside, and even the busy tin CUP
had temporary respite.
| The young man approached, Squire Crosby
whom even stranger could distinguish as
the principal person amongst them, and anx-
iously inquired for house where he could be
accommodated, saying that he was extremely
ill and felt all the symptoms of an approach
ing fever.
Crosby eyed him closely and suspiciously
for moment without uttering word
Knaves and sNindlers had been recently a.
broad, and the language of the youth betray-
ed that he was Yankee name at that
time associated in the minds of the ignorant
with everything that is base. MistakiEg the
silence of Crosby for fear of his inhability
to Fay, the stranger smiled and said, 81 am
not without money" and putting his hand to
his pocket to give occular proof of his asser-
| ton, he was horror struck to find that his
pocket-bOok was gone. 1t contained every
cent of lis money, besides papers of great
value to him.
Without farthing even paper
or letter t. attest that his character was hon,
able-in a strange land, and sickness rapidly
coming upon him. thcsrfcelings nearly drove
him to despair. TIE squire, who prided HIM
self on his sagacitv in detecting villains, now
found the use Of his tongue. With loud
and sneering voice he said:
"Straneer, you are barking up the wrong
tree il you think to catch me with that are
Yankee trick o yourn."
lie proceeded in that inhuman strain. sec
onded by nearly every one present, for the
'Squar' was powerful ard few dared to dis
please him. The youth felt keenly bis des-
olate situation, and casting his eyes around
the group, and in tone of deep anxiety, in
quired
Is there any one here who will receive
me-"
Yes, l will" cried man among the
crowd "ves, poor, sick stranger, 1 will shell
ter you" Then in lower tone he added, 81
know not whether you are deserving, bnt
do know that you are fellow being, and in
sickness and in want ; and tor the sake Of
HIM who died for the guIty,if not for your
own sake, will be kind to you, poor young
stranger"
The man who stepped forth and rrof rrcd
home to the youth in the hour of suffering
was Simon Davis, IN elderly man who resid
ed near CrOSbv,and the latter was deadly
enemy Uncle Simon. as he was called, never
retaliated, and bore many prosecutions of his
viudictive neighbor without complaint. His
family consisted If himself and daughter his
only child, an aifec;ionate girl seventeen years
cd.
The youth heard the offer of Mr.. Davis,
and heard no more, for, overcome by his feel
ings and extreme illness, he sank nsensible.
He was conveyed to the house of his benefac-
tor and a physician called Long was the strug-
gle between llle and death. Though uncon-
ciOus he called upon hls mother and sister,
almost constantly to aid him. When the
youth was laid upon her bed, and she heard
him calling for his sister, Lucy Davis wept,
and said to him, "Poor young man, your
sister is far distant, but will be to you sis
ter Well did this dark eyed maiden keep
her promise. Day ond night did she watch
over him, except during the short interval
when she yielded her post at his side to her
father.
At length the crisis of the disorder arrived
the day that was to decide the question of
Lille or death. Lucy bent over him with in
tense anxiety, watching every expression of
his features, hardly daring to breathe, so fear
full was she of wakening him from the only
sound sleep he had enjoyed for nine long
days and nights. At length he awoke and
gazed up i. to the face Of Lucy Davis, and
family inquired, "Where am l ?" There was
intelligence in that look Youth and good
constitution had obtained mastery. Lucy
felt that he was spared, and bursting into a
food of tears, rushed out of the room.
1t was two weeks more before he could sit
up even for short time. He had already
acquainted them with his name and residence
but they had no curiosity to learn anything
further, and forbid him giving his story until
be became stronger. His name was Charles
Wilson, and his parental home Boston.
A few days afterwards, when Mr.. Davis
was absent from home, and Lucy engaged
about her household affairs, Wilson saw close
beside his head his pack, and recollec-
ting something that he wanted, opened it,
The first thing he saw was the idertics
pocket book whose loss had excited so ma :
regrets. He recollected having placed it the
the morning before he reached Drent's PraIr !
but in the confusion of the moment the cir.
! cunH,anee- forgotten. He examined it.
and found everything as he left it.
The discovery nearly restored him to health
but he resolved at present to confine the Sc.
cret to his own bosom. 1t was gratifying to
him to witness the entire confidence they
reposed in the honor and integrity of stran.
A.