The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-10

and, ignorantof what had occurred, walked
down to the river to meet his friends and
hear the news. was talking with
neighbor when Rowen hailed us. "Whats
the news Ny companion was river
pilot, in those days rough class and by
no means mindful of social amenities. -
.'News, d-n your red head, I'll tell
you the news-John Masons widow was
sot out in the rood with her sick babies by
that id blockhead, Nick Longwortb,
and he says you told him to do it, and
I'm mind to pitch you neck and heels
into the drink" q -','ai
Rowan stood for moment and every
red hair on his head seemed to stiffen
with indignation. .'." $4,000 .,@
"Look ye, Tom jerks, your id
liar, and any one says SIGH Of mes another,
and Ill whale the hide off him." @.
y In two seconds they we're at it it like
thorough bred bull dogs, and after the
usual gouging and biting, they mutually
agreed to quit. One of Rowan's ears
was gone, and jerks after several attempts
succeeded in getting his eye back into its
place. }.. ...
I In few words, explained the matter
to Rowan. He was furious, and after
vain attempt to conceal the remains of
his shirt in the remnant of his pants,
(albiet stout buckskin) he started off to
see the lawyer. Much mirth was ex-
cited by Ben's appearance, and one staid
matron, elevating her noise in the air, ex-
pressed a hope that Tom jerks had
thrashed some of the meanness oat of the
ugly red-head. Ben groaned, but bolted
on, getting more furious every step, till he
reached the Office. He rushed in, and, in
a voice that might have been heard mile,
roared out: "Nick Longworth, who told
you to put the Widow Mason out of doors?
Longworth edged the table around, and
in as soothing tone as he could assume,
he began, "Indeed, my dear Benjamin."
"D-n yer Benjamin tell me, or I'll put
my fist through your ugly carcass"
"Take care, sir; if you touch me, you'll
be made to pay for it. I'm in my own
house, and that is an aggravation of IN
assault"
Rowan made thwack at him that, had
it taken effect, would have saved Mr.. Long
worth's biographer much trouble; but he
lodged the blow, and Ben's ponderous fist
made sad havoc in a bookcase oppo
site. Half mad with rage, he jerked the
lawyer off his legs, and sent him sprawling
out of the door, and after much entreaty
he persuaded Ben to let him escape.
He went direct to the widows house and
ordered Longworth's tenant IAN Irshman)
to leave, and on his refusal gave him such
thrashing as left him no alternative. By
nightfall the Widow Mason was in her old
home and made comfortable, and Rowans
character was restored. Longworth was
warned that if he prosecuted Rowan he
would assuredly get a "ducking III the
river, and he never took any further notice
of the matter.
Eighteen years after this occurrence,
ROwan's son was q candidate ~ an ap-
pointment in a certain institution, but
failed to be nominated owing to Long
worth's influence, and the lawyer made no
secret of the motive of his opposition.
Cold and impressible as he seemed, he was
a good hater and never forgot an injury.
BY picking up property at an early day,
he laid the foundation of his large fortune,
and he also made large gains by loaning
money at a rate of interest that soon
doubled the principal. Wo to the debtor
who failed to comply with the letter of the
bond!-the deadly machinery of the law
was put in force against him, and he was
ruined without remorse.
Although he may have committed
thousand acts that entitle him to first
place in the private memoranda of Lucifer,
yet was he most respectable man, one of
do good or evil. One thing in his favor l
will say, he was no hypocrite, and made
the high priests of mammon, and potent to
no p-etence of goodness; and his manner
to clerical mendicants was such that he
was seldom troubled by their solicitations.
l have asked several of those who knew
him from manhood up, and they all agree
that they never saw him do charitable
action. 1t may be possible that he gave
surreptitiOusly and concealed his benef-
cence from the world, but his character
for consistent meanness, and his known
and expressed opinions, afford no grounds
for such hypothesis.
Those who have profited by his decease
may well be solicitous to place him before
the world in light different from that in
which he has stood from his boyhood up,
and may endeavor to throw the lustre of
single good deed over the fame of one who
lived but for himself alone: it is wisdom !;
although the world is very lenient to the
failingS of men of millions. vet there will