Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-04-20
THE FORGED PATENT.

THE FORGED PATENT.
The changes which the last twenty years
have wrought in Illinois, would be incredible
TO any one who had not witnessed them. At
that time the settlements were few, and the
spirit of enterprise which now prevades every
corner of the State had not awakened. The
bluffs OF the beautiful Illinois river had never
sent back the echo of the steam engine
Without market for their own produce, the
farmers confined their labors to the wants of
their own families. Corn nearly the only
crop raised and from the time it was Eslaid by,
near the end OF June, till s'pulling time,'' in
November, was holiday, and the intervening
period was passed in idieness. except Satur-
days. On that day, duly as it arrived, the
settlers at the Gistillery amused themselves
with shooting at mark, trading nags, and,
tco often when the tin cuppassed freely round,
in fighting. This is by no means picture OF
all the settlements OF that early period, but
that it is graphically true of many, none OF
the oldest settlers will deny.
One Saturday afternoon, in the year 1919,
young man was seen approaching, with slow
and weary steps, the house, or rather distillery,
of Squire Crosby, of Brent's Prairie, an OBJ
scure settlement on the Military Tract. As
usual on that day, large collection Of peo-
pie were amusing themselves at Crosby's who
owned the distillery in that region, and, being
magistrate, was regarded by the settlers as
rich, and consequently great man. The
youth who now came up to the group was ap-
parently about twenty-one years OF age, and
Of slender form, fair and delicate complexion,
with the air of one accustomed to good socIe-
~ and it was evident at glance that he was
nos Injured to the hardships of frontier life,
labor of any kind. But his dress was in
E-range contrast with his appearance and man.
Ters. He wore hunting coat OF the coarsest
iEssv WoolSey, common straw hat, ana a
psir OF doeskin mOccaSins. large pack
completed his equipments. Every one gazed
with curiosity upon the new conner In their
cageruess to learn no he was, whence he came.
and what was his business, the horse swap was
left unfinished, and the rifle laid aside, and
even the busy tin cup had temporary respite.
The young man approached Squire Crosby
whom even a stranger could distinguish as the
principal person among them, and anxiously
inquired for house where he could be ac-
commodated, saying that he was extremely
ili,and felt all the symptoms of an approaching
fever. Crosby eyed him closely and Suspi-
ciousiy for a moment without uttering word.
knaves and swindcrs had been recently a.
broad, and the language of the yonth betray-
ed that lie was a s'Yankee," name at that
time associated in the minds of the Ignorant
vita everything that is base. Mistaking the
silence of Crosby for fear of his inability to
pay, the stranger smiled and said, 'El am not
without money!" and putting his hand to his
pocket TO give occular proof of his assertion,
he was hcrror-struck to find that his pocket
book was gone. 1t contained every cent oil
his money, besides papers of great value to
him. Without farthIng, without even pa
per or letter TO attest that his character was
honorable, in strange land, and sickness rap
idly coming upon him, these feelings nearly
drove him to despair. The Squire, who had
prided himself on his sagacity in detecting
villains, now found the use of his tongue
a InuH md SnaprjnU voice. he said
s-Stranger, you arc barking mp the wrong
tree, if you think to catch me with that ere
Yankee trick o. yourn."
He proceeded in that inhuman strain, Sec
onded by nearly every one present, Tor the
esquire was powerful. and few dared TO ais
please him. The youth felt keenly his desc
late situation, and casting his eyes around the
group and in a tone of deep anxiety inquired
"Is there none who will receive me ~
eyes l will" cried q man among the
crowd ayes, poor, sick stranger, VIII snei
tor YOU" Then, in lower tone, ne addeo
.sI know not whether you are deserving, Du'
do know that you are fellow being, ana IL
sickness and in want and for the sake OF HIN
who died for the guilty, if not for your OWL
sake, will be kind to you, poor stranger.
The man who stepped forth and proiiered
home to the youth in the hour oil suffering
was Simon Davis, an elderly man, VINO resIu
ed near Crosby, and the latter was his deadly
er retaliated, and bore many prosecutions o.
his vindictive neighbor without complaint
His family consisted of himself and daughter
his only child, an affectionate girl of seven
teen. The youth heard the offer OF Mr.. Davis
and heard no more, for, overcome by his ieei
fnrs aud extreme illness, he sank insenslpie
He was conveyed to the house OF his Deneiac
tor, and physician called. Long was tn'
struggle between life and death. Though un
conscious, he called upon his mother and SIS
ter, almost constantly, to aid him. men lnt
youth was laid upon her bed, ana sne nealI
him calling for his sister, Lucy Davis Mep
and said TO him, "Poor young man. your 81,
ter is far distant, but will be to you sls'et. H.
Well did this dark-eyed maiden Keep ne
promise. Day and night she watcneu w ufe
him, except during the short Intervals whei
she yielded her post at bis side TO her 1alner'
At length the crisis of the disorder arriVe'
the day that was to] decide the question
life or death. Lncy bent over him with In
tense anxiety, watching every expression o
his features, hardly daring to breathe, so fear
ful was she of awakening him from the oni.
sound sleep he had enjoyed for nine long day
and nights. At length he awoke and gazet