The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-01-28
Story of a Farmer and His Mysterious
Farm Hand.
From the Xenia tohio) Gazette, Dee. 30.

From the Xenia Ohio Gazette, Dee. 30.
Not many miles from Nenia resides a
wealthy landholder, OF rather model farm
er. His prosperity during the past twelve
years has often been the comment of his
neighbors, and observing ones have Won
dered from whence he has obtained the
farm and acre to acre, until he holds up
ward Of two thousand acres Of the best
land in the whole State Of Ohio.
Some ten years since, we have lately
been informed, there appeared at the farm
er's door a young and stalwart youth who
asked, and readily obtained, employment.
Although ignorant at first of the duties on
farm, he applied himself, and in short
time became an adept farmer. He took as
much interest in the affairs Of the farmer
who engaged him as did the farmer himself.
When the month Of December came,
the first one after his advent on the farm,
he informed the family that he would alb
sent himself during the winter, but would
return in early spring and work another
year. He brought two trunks when he
came there the preceding spring, the con-
tents of which had never been displayed.
These he left with the farmer with the sim
pie precautionary remark, never ALLOW
them to be disturbed, or at least, unless
should be absent two years" If gone
longer they We're at liberty to open and ap-
propriate their contents. He carried moth
ing away with him except the suit he had
on, nor did he accept his summers wages
when rendered by the farmer. He took
his note payable in five years, and left.
April of the following year came, and
the wonder of the family over the youths
strange proceedings was still fresh, when
one pleasant morning they were all gladly
surprised TO see their help again, He
brought a large trunk, similar to one of
the two he had left there during the win
ter. The ensuing year the young man and
the farmer became greatly attached. In
August the farmer purchased an adjoining
farm and paid for it in cash.
When the years work was completed,
again were the incidents OF the preceding
year repeated. The young man took anoth-
er note, left his trunk and went away. He
only cautioned the farmers family as be-
fore, regarding his three trunks
When April came round again our hero
returned. In the May following the farmer
purchase another adjoining farm of one
hundred acres, and paid for it in cash
This going away and returning continued
tor the last ten years, up to the present De-
cember. Each year the farmer purchased
more land. Every year in December, the
farmers help left him, taking the farmers
note, and every following April he returned.
He never took trunk nor baggage away,
but always brought more when he returned.
Last week the help, now grown to man
hood, strong and sturdy in mind and frame,
left the farmer, took away all his accumu-
lated baggage, and returned the several
notes the farmer gave him-made pres
ent Of them to child of the farmer The
evening before his departure he informed
his friends, who had all learned to love
liEl, OF the secret which he had so long
kept TO himself. He was u wealthy orphan
Doctors had told him at the age of fifteen,
that he could lot live to become of age. He
at once left an Eastern boarding school and
came out here to the farmers home. He
returned and studied during the winter, be-
came interested in seeing the farmer in
crease his domains, and donated the money
with which the additions were made. The
trunks contained the fashionable clothing
he wore during the winter months. Secrecy
regarding the money received by him had
been enJoined npon the farmer during the
ten years now he is released to tell, all or
little, as he pleased.
The nromisad consumntiya ,.,,, a,l
the aggravations of disease dispelled; and
having grown to be healthy and robust, was
satisfied with the ten years effort to pre-
vent his becoming an invalid for life 1t |
was almost useless for the farmer to attempt
to express his gratitude. unbounded as it
was, to our hero. He thinks of him now
as benefactor and sou, and looks on his
broad acres and can hardly realize that they
are his. Were we to give the name of the
young man, many of our readers would at
once become convinced of the truth OF the
above. This we are forbidden to do for
I a nrosopt