The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-03-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
The FORCED Patent.

years have wrought 10 Illinois, would be
incredible to any one who had not wit
messed them. At that time the settle.
ments we're few, and the spirit OF enter
prise 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 fcr their produce, the
farmers confined their labors 10 the wants
Of their own families. Corn was nearly
the only crop raised, and from the time il
YVES " laid by" near the end Of June, till
"pulling time" in November, was holi-
day, and the intervening period was passed
in idleness, except Saturdays. On that
| day. duly rs il arrived, the settlers, at the
distillery, amused themselves with shoot.
ing At a mark 'Tsding nags, and too often
when the tin cup passed 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, nm obscure settlement on
the Military Tract. As usual on that day
a large collection of people were amusing
themselves at Crosby's who owned the
distilsry in that region, and. being magis.
trate. WAS regarded by the settlers as rich.
and consequently great man.
The youth who now came up to the
group was apparently about twenty-one
years of age, and Of slender form, fair and
delicate complexion. with the air Of one
accustomed to good society, and II was
evident at glance that he was not Injured
to the hardships of frontier life, or labor
of any kind. But his dress was in strange
contrast with his appearance and manners.
He wore hunting coat of the coarssst
linsey woolsey, common straw hat, and
@ pair Of doeskin moccasins. A large
pack completed his equipments.
Every one gazed with curiosity upon
the now conner In their eagerness to
learn who he was, when he como and
what was his business, tho horse swap was
left unfinished, the rife laid aside and
even the busy tin cup had a temporary
respite.
| The young man approached Squire
Crosby, whom even stranger could dis.
tinguish as tho principal person among
them, and anxiously inquired for house
where he could be accommodated, saying
that he was extremely i'll. and felt all the
symptoms Of an approaching fever.
Crosby eyed him closely and suspicious.
ly for moment without uttering word.
Knaves and swiudlers had recently been
abroad and the, language Of the youth be.
trayed that he was Yankee name at
that time associated in the minds of the
ignorant. with everything that is base.
Mistakine the silence Of Crosby for fear
Of his inability to pay, the stranger smiled
and said II am not without money" and
putting his hand to his pocket to give
ocular proof Of his assertion, he was hor.
ror.struck to hnd that his pocket.book wal
gone. It contained every cent Of hi.
money. besides papers Of great value tc
him.
Without farthing, without even q
J paper or letter to attest that his character
was honorable. in strange land, and sick
moss rapidly coming upon him. these feel
ings nearly drove him to despair. Th'
Squire who prided himself on his sagacit,
in detecting villains now found the use o
his tongue. With a loud and sneerinI
voice he said;
Stranger. you are barking up tn
wrong tree if you think to catch me witt
! that ere Yankee trick O. yourn."
: He proceeded in that inhuman strai
t; seconded by nearly every one present, 70
!. the Squire" was powerful. and few dare
to displease him. The youth felt keenl
his desolate situation, and casting his eye
around the group, and in tone Of dee
( anxiety, inquired
rs there none who will receive me
"Yes, l will" cried man among u
crowd yes, poor, sick stranger, I wi
shelter ou."-Then in a lower tone
Il added al know not whether you a
deserving. but do know that you are
fcllow-being, and in sickness and in wan
and for the sake Of Him who died for 4
guilty. if not for your own sake, ] will
kind TO you, poor stranger
Tnc man ~hO stepped forth and PR
fered home to the youth in the hour
n -. olar1y m