Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-09-17
VOLUME 25, NO. 43

July acqualhted VIZ" ~
young stranger.
III, father, Charles Wilson, senior, wasa
merchant 4. Boston who had acqnir'd an
immense fortune. AZ the close Of the var,
when the soldiers received from the govern.
mcnt their bounty Of l6O acres Of land, ma
ny Of them offered their patents to NJ. WI.
SON for sale. Finding that they were re-
solved 10 ell them, he resolved to save them
from the sacrifice OF their hard earnings. and
he purchased at fair price all that was
Offered. In three years no su,all portion oil
tho Military Trae, came into his posses
sion.
On tho day that Charles became Of ago,
ho gave him decd Of the principal part OF
,bi, land in Illinois, and insisted that ho
should 20 out and see it, and II he liked
tho country settle there. Wishing him to
become identified with the people, ho rc-
commended hi. son to lay aside his broad
cloth. and dress like backwood.man.
In compliance with this suggestion the
young man had assumed rude and rustic
dro.-. - inappropriate u his appearance
aud manners a. 10 excite some suspicion
,ha, he had motives for concealing his real
character.
On the morning Of his sons Departure
Mr.. Wilson received letter from man In
Illinois who had frequently written. lilo
wished TO purchase a certain quarter sec.
ton at government price, which Mr.. VII.
son promised he should have on these terms,
provided he forwarded certificate from the
Judge Of the circui, eour. that the land was
wort, no more. The letter just received
inclo.cd the certificate IN question. Mr..
Wilson had given this tract 10 Charles, and
putting the letter and certificate into his
hand, cnioinci upon him TO deed 1t to tho
writer, according to promise, upon his ar
rival in Illinois.
Tho remarks Of Mr.. Davis iorcibly re-
minded yeang Wilson Of this incident and
on the nr.' morning after he became ac-
quaintci with tho plan Of Crosby, with a
,remblin, hand he examined tho letter and
certificate. |, was written by Crosby, and
the land be wished TO purchase, the idcnii-
cal farm Of Davis.
A,,oni.hcd that h. friend the judge should
certify that the land was worth no more,
Mr. Dayi, asked TO scc the certificate; anil
after moments examination, unhesitIting.
/, pronounced is signature a forgery,
An explanation from the young man now
became necessary. and calling Lucy into .ho
room, hc told hi, story and laid before
them pile Of patents and bank notes ono
otter another, tall the sum reached thou
sands. 1, wa. day Of thankful happiness
to Simon Dayi, and his daughter, and no.
Ices - to young Wilson.
Not lons afslr this scene, Crosby enter
ed.
lli- air was that OF u nan who has an
enemy in hi- power, and intends .a 'rample
upon hun. llcscarc- ul...i y9lns viii
-on except with % ..5. .i ..a.nl. After
pouring oat ... a.- m4..I.,..O.a upon tho
/ family. tho old u.u inquired il he would
siy, nothing Tor improvements made. The
answer wa,, " Not cent"
"You certainly would not, !" said Wilson.
"driye ou; this man and hiB daughter pen-
nll,.s into the world9"
what't tha. to you p replied Crosby,
with F., look OF malice and contempt.
~ will answer that question" said Will
sen, and he acquainted him with what the
reader has already learned.
Crosby was at first PetriGod with aston
i.hmcut, but when he saw that all his
schemes OF villainy were defeated, and proof
Of his having committed forgery could bs
established, lis assurance iorsook him, and
be threw him.elt upon hi. knees, and bcs-
ged irst the old man. then Lucy and Will
son. to spare him.
Much as they piticd, i, was impossible
for them not 10 despiso thc meannoss of this
application.
Wilson told him tina, hs deserved no mer-
cy. Thata moment sincc he would have
driven the family OF Davis FROM their homo
without eyeu the means Of u temporary sup
port. lie would pay Crosby fair prico
for lis property and forbar prosecuting
him on condition of hi, instantly quitting
the country.
Crosby accepted the offer. The writings
were made out that day, and before morn
ing he aud his family were or their way to
Texas.
Why should spin out the narratiye4
Lucy and Charles were married, and though
a splendid mansion soon rose upon the farm
Of Mr.. DAVIS, both love far better the little
room where she had 30 anIiously watched
over the sick bed Of the houseless stranger.
SIR. Wilson was rich, but never forgot those
who wero in want.
Cheered by the kind and aGectiOnats at
tcntions Of his chid'en, old Simon Davis
almost seemed to have renewed his exist
cnce.
lie lived many years, and long enough to
tell the bright.eyel son of Charles and Lo-
cy the story Of the forged deed. And when
he told the listening boy how his father,
when poor aud iriendless, was taken homo
and kindly treated. and in turn became
their benefacior, he impressed upon tue
mind of his grandehild that even cup OF
cold water given from a good motive. shall