The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-04-02
cHANcEl.LoR BOWER.

/
forward in the road to a lofty standing
in society. The boy, whose name
heads this article, was born Of poor,
but worthy Dutch parents, in Green
briar County, w. " He had five broth
ers and two ksters, all Of them on an
average with the masses around. John,
how ever, from his boyhood, showed
marked lines Of character. He was of
noble and commanding appearance,
handsome in person, had a strong will,
and was firm in everything right and
proper. His parents could give him
only limited education. AT the age
of Is, he was elected Lieutenant of the
Militia, and at 20 was elected Captain
Of the same company. 1t was about
this time that his lofty mind aspired to
o higher position in life, than that Of
most of his associates around him.
The bent of his lofty genius was to-
wards the study Of law. He applied
all bis means to the acquisition Of legal
knowledge. He made wonderful prof
cheney in his studies. He soon attract
ed general attention, and was admitted
into the very hest society in the town
where he attended college. But the
great trouble with him was how to
pursue his studies without accepting
loans of money which he was 10th to
do "But where there's will there's
a way
From the age Of 10 years, he had be-
come acquainted with a charming and
worthy young lady, who, like himself
was born of poor parents. Their love
grew with their years, and became in
tensitied. Neither one had confessed
to the other the state of his or her
heart in the case. Yet all discerning
persons knew how matters were be-
tween them. The young lady taught
school for a livelihood, and was highly
esteemed by her patrons. Captain
Bowyer could not think for d moment
to break off his studies and take charge
of family. AT this time Scotch
man some twenty miles distant, paid o
visit to Miss Julia Porter-the school
mistress Of whom / am writing-and
stated to her that his age was 70 years
lie had no relatives in the United
States, and was laboring under the
| gravel, gout, and diseased liver. He
had been money lender in the Unitet
States for forty years past, and being
strict in business, he had but few
friends. He was worth ten Thousand
pounds sterling money-mostly ther
in cash, and the remainder in well Sc
cured bonds. He had often seen Mis-
Porter, and always heard favorable re
ports Of her goodness of heart. If sh'
would marry him and be to him
friend-a lover he did not expect o
her-he would make over to her in ab
solute right, one-half of his forum
on the day of their marriage, and tn
remainder to her at his death. Sh
listened to his manly proposal, AM
told him to return in one month, an,
she would give him decisive answer
She wrote to Captain Bowyer full &C
count of the proposal of Mr. McDon
ald-the Scotchman-and requeste
his friendly advice His answer was
, that in all circumstances of the case
, she would do well to marry the oil
gentleman, and if so, to treat hin
with all Imaginable kindness and du
respect. At the same time the CAP
tain assured her that his own weddin
day was far in the future. At the en-
of three months, after Mr.. McDonal
; had tastefully fitted up his neaC HON
and its surroundings, he and Miss POI
: ter were married. The Captain dre'
up all the writings in the case, and
: may be supposed they were all 0. 4
! Never was any old man better treate
than Mcdonald was by his heautifu
warm hearted and true wife. In or
year more, he ceased to be able to q,
company her in their family carriaG
to the houses of their friends. F'
? two years he kept his bed, but all thi
: medical skill could do was done f
him. He always stated that he belle
ed his wife was the best woman 9
! earth, and that he fully appreciated b
: course in making her his sole heir. i
!, closed his eyes in death in just thr'
n years from the time of his marriage.
z 1t was said that Captain Bowy'
I. lacked no money during those thrt
i, years, with which to defray his expeI
T ses at College. Well SO it only prove
= the saying true, that "a friend in nee
r is a friend indeed" For six mont
b after, did there any letters pass b
d tween Mr.. Bowyer and Mrs Nc Donalt
d Whose business was it ii there dit
n Mr.. Bowyef had completed his coll
giate course, and received his diplom
He was one of the best lawyers in VI
J gtfia. He established himself in
= flourishing city in the old Dominic
? and rose to be Chancellor. The mo
? important land cases in Va. were /
. trusted to his care. He frequently I
y ceiyed five hundred dollars for wrl
= ten opinion on contested land cases
ie the Court Of Chancery.
Y But did he forget the widow McDo
n aid in his daysof fame and prosperit,
That would haye been very cru
+ But would not wife clog his busint
i. pufsuits2 He did not see 1t in tn
q light. In about seven months aft
"a Mrs. McDonaldfs widowhood beg
Is she became IN due form, Mrs. Bowy'
4. saw my esteemed friend-the Cha
u eelIor-soon after his marriage, a
,r congratulated him on his bright
IL ture OF life. Wealth, love and fan
were the boon and blessing OF this ha