Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-25
Gales ano Sketfbes.
From the Springfield Union.
4 QUEER DEED.
AND THE QUEER DISCOVERY THAT CANE
OF 1T.

CnarleS WlisOn was very O1u speci-
men of young man. He was good look
ing, well educated, but not at all fond of
society,-at least ladies' society. He
owned nice little place in Cantonvile,
and some city property that brought him
good living. He was a civil engineer
by profession, but never practiced except
for his own amusement or for the benefit
Of his few friends.
In CantOnville harbor was a large is
land, Aurora island it was called. some
halt mile long by a quarter wide. This
was favorite resort of his, and many
days he spent On it. A small grove of
trees on one end made a very good picnic
ground, but the passage to and from the
island was rather dangerous owing to the
swift tides, and the place was not very
much used.
Wilson finally conceived the idea that
he wanted to buy the island and set about
irving to find the owner No one in town
knew anything about it, but the town clerk
sent him on the right track By sending
him to the registry Of deeds. Here he
found the island was owned by Miss Nell
lie Armstrong.
"An old maid he said to himself a.
he found the last transfer dated back 20
years ''now where am to look for Miss
Armstrong ?''
Back 10 CantOnvlle he went and set
about to find the lady bearing the name
of Miss Nellie Armstrong. The post
master knew no such party, the town
clerk ditto. Every one who was likely to
know was hunted up, but with no success.
Then back to the registry office again
he went and found out who transferred
the island TO Miss Armstrong, Il thing he
should have done in the first place. but
failed to. This party was Ebenezer Bud
get. Now then TO find out who Mr.
Budget was, and where he lived. claimed
his attention. The first person he met on
his arrival home could tell him all he
wanted to know. Mr. Budget was an old
miser, who died in the town about 70
years ago. lie left one son. who was
alive and probably in New York. His
name was Jonathan.
Next morning Mr.. Wilson left for New
York. He found Mr.. Budget without
mich trouble. and from him learned that
Miss Nellie Armstrong was neicc of
Ebcnezer Budget, and that when he died
she was one year old. consequently she
was now ~. Her parents lived in Bos-
lDu tnt last 1outitiH hitN tiiN
thing about them. He could not tell
whether they were there now or
not, but he gave Wilson their
former address. telling him he could
probably find out there where they were
ii he could not find them.
The next morning found Mr. Wilson in
Boston, and he was soon in the counting
room of Mr.. Armstrong. the father of
Nellie. He was a fine looking man of
some - years. and Wilson soon found
himself wondering if his daughter was
rs nice in looks and manner rs her father.
Mr.. Armstrong did not know whether
Nellie would want to sell the island or
not. but if Mr. Wilson would call ut the
house in the evening he might talk with
her about it. Would it be convenient for
him 10 do SOP
II certainly would. and Mr. Wilson left
the Office with feeling that he was in
luck. though he could not exactly tell why
tor he had not yet purchased the island.
and did not know whether he could or
not. Still it was with 4 very pleasant
feeling that he prepared. for he took more
pains with his toilet than he had ever
taken before. even to call on his most in
Innate friends. And. finally. several new
things had to he purchased before he was
entirely satisfied with his appearance
A servant ushered him into the library
where he met Mr.. Armstrong. That gen
tleman at once sent tor his daughter.
After the introduction. Mr.. Wilson, of
course stated his business, although he
would rather have talked on some inter-
esting subject. for he had lost much of
his enthusiasm in regard to the island
Miss Armstrong was his ideal of Il woman
in looks. and he had no doubt but what
she was intellectually also.
II have never thought much about the
island" said Miss Nellie. tor did not
suppose it was of any money value what
ever"
'In that YOU are mistaken, said Mr.
Wilson. The island is quite valuable,
II has fine grove upon it, and consider
able timber. besides the land. is good
place for picnics. or for summer resi-
dence. In fact was thinking of build
ing a house upon the island myself if |
succeeded in buying it,
"lou are certainly very frank in your
statement of its value" said Mr.. Arm
strong. "tor we know nothing of it all.
only from the description in n letter from
Mr.. Budget which came with the deed
whereby we knew its location. will get
this deed and letter and see how it reads.
So saying he arose and took from his
desk the papers. The letter was queerlv
written thing. and. as Mr.. Armstrong
said. very fair sample of his wife 5
brothers letters. Ii was written thus:
"ro Miss Armstrong;
Find Aurora
island just
north OF Cantonyie Mills
down the coast.
Minute description If calm
ydn can approach il anywhere.
Mind the mud it
only lies north. I
go from
east because of rocks. The
yearly tides strong, and many
inexperienced boaimen go
never to come back Ifyou
thus profit by nv advice. tor,
hear me. IL is good, the beach
easily is reached and YOU
pass
a very pleasant day. Superb
views 10 be had. which
European country
scarcely be found TO exceed.
EBENEzER BUDGET"
The deed was very strong. making it
clearly understood that the island and
everything contained thereon was made
over to Miss Nellie Armstrong. and also
stating that the letter describing the prop
erty must be given if it was sold or trans
ferred.
Mr.. Armstrong asked Wilson what he