The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-02-03
A QUEER DEED,

And the Qussr Discovery That Came OF It.
Charles Wilson was very odd speci-
men Of young man. He was good
looking, well educated, but not at all
fond Of society-at least ladies' society.
He owned nice little place in Canton
vile, and some city property that
brought him q 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
island. Aurora Island it was called, some
half q mile long by a quarter wide. This
was favorite resort of his, and many
days he spent alone ON it. A small grove
of trees on one end made q 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 trying 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 Nellie Armstrong.
can old maid, he said TO himself, as
he found the last transfer dated back
twenty years. "Now, where am l to
look for Miss Armstrong;"
Back to CantonviIle 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. Everyone who was likely to
know was hunted up, but with no sue
cess.
Then back to the registry Office again
he went, and found out who transferred
the island TO Miss Armstrong, thing he
should have done in the first place, but
failed to. This party was Ebenezer
Budget. 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
nineteen years ago. He 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
much trouble, and from him learned that
Miss Nellie Armstrong was a niece of
Ebenezer Budget, and that when he
died she was one year old, consequently
she was now twenty. Her parents lived
in Boston the last Jonathan knew any
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, if he could not
find them there.
The next morning found Mr.. Wilson
in Boston, and he was soon in the count
ing-room of Mr.. Armstrong, the father
Of Nellie. He was a fine-looking man,
Of some ffty-five years, and Wilson soon
found himself wondering if his daughter
was as nice in looks and manner as hei
father. Mr.. Armstrong did not know
whether Nellie would like to sell the
island or not, but il Mr.. Wilson woult
call at the house in the evening he might
talk with her about it. Would it be con
venient for him to do so?
1t certainly would, and Mr.. Wilson
left the Office with feeling that he was
In luck, though he could not exactly tel
why, for he had not purchased the
island, and did not know whether he
could or not. Still, it was with q very
pleasant feeling that he prepared for hii
evening visit. say prepared, for ht
took more pains with his toilet than ht
had ever taken before, even to call OIL
some of his most intimate friends. And
finally, several new things had to bt
purchased before he was entirely salts
fed with his appearance. A servan
ushered him into the library, where h,
met Mr. Armstrong. That gentleman
Mt once sent for his daughter.
After the introduction Mr.. Wilson, o
course, stated his business, although b,
would rather have talked on some inter
esting subject, for he had lost much O
Miss Armstrong was his ideal of a wo
man in looks, and he had no doubt bu
what she was intellectually also.
IT have never thought much about tn
island" said Miss Nellie, 'for did no
suppose it was Of any money value what
ever"
'Tn that you are mistaken" said Mr.
Wilson. 'The island is quite valuable
1t has a fine grove upon it, and consid
cradle timber, besides the land is a goo
place for picnics, or for q summer resi-
dence. In fact, was thinking of build
ing house on it myself, if succeede
in buying it.
"You are certainly very frank in you
statement of its value" said Mr.. Arm
strong, 'for we know nothing of it at al
only from the description in letter fror
Mr.. Budget which came with the dee
whereby we knew its location. I wi
get the deed and letter and see how
reads"
SO saying he arose and took from h
desk the papers. The letter was
queerly- written thing, and, as Mr.. Arm
strong said, very fair sample Of h
wife's brothers letters. It was write
thus:
ITO Miss Armstrong:
Find Aurora
island Just
north Of Cantonville Mills
down on the coast.
Minute description: II calm
you can approach II anywhere.
Mind the mud; 1t
only lies north. I
never go from
east because of rocks. The
yearly tides arc strong, and many
inexperienced boatmen 20
never to come back. II you
thus profit by my advice, for,
hear me, IL IL good, the beach
easily Is reached and you
can pass
vcrypleasant day. Suburb
views are 10 be had, which
European country can
scarcely be found TO exceed.
EBENEzER BUDGET" /"
The deed was very strong, making
clearly understood that the island al
everything contained thereon was ma,
over to Miss Nellie Armstrong, and al
stating that the letter describing q
property must be given II il was sold
transferred.
Mr.. Armstrong asked Wilson what
thought the island was worth.
1T do not know, but would give
thousand dollars for it," said Wilson.
THAT seems pretty good price 4
what we have always considered wort
less piece OF property, I am free to co
fess," said Mr.. Armstrong, looking
Nellie.