The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-02-03
A QUEER DEED,

men OF q young q DE was good
looking, well educated, but not at all
fond of society-at least ladies' society.
owned q nice little place in Canton
vile, and some city property that
brought him a 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 a mile long by a quarter wide. This
was a fayorite resort of his, and many
days he spent alone 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 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.
"An old maid" he said to himself, as
he found the last transfer dated back
twenty years. sNow, where ann I to
look for Miss Armstrong;"
Back to Cantonyille 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, q 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
who was alive, and probably in New
York. His name was Jonathan.
Next morning MI. Wilson left for New
York. He found MI. Budget without
much trouble, and from him learned that
Miss Nellie Armstrong was q niece of
Ebenezer Budget, and that when he
died she was n 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 Nh. Armstrong, the father
of Nellie. He was o fne-looking man,
of some ffty-fve years, and Wilson soon
found himself wondering if his daughter
was as nice in looks and manner as her
father. Mr.. Armstrong did not know
whether Nellie would hike to sell the
island OF not, but if Mr.. Wilson would
call at the house in the evening he might
talk with her about it. Would it be con-
yenient for him to do so?
It certainly would, and Mr.. Wilson
left the Office with o feeling that he was
in luck, though he could not exactly tell
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 his
evening visit. I say prepared, for he
took more pains with his toilet than he
had eyer taken before, eve to call on
some of his most intimate friends. And,
finally, several new things had to be
purchased before he was entirely salts
fed with his appearance. A servant
ushered him into the library, where he
met Mr.. Armstrong. That gentleman
at once sent for 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 q wo-
man In looks, and he had no doubt but
what she was Intellectually also.
ST have never thought much about the
island" said Miss Nellie, 'for I did moi
suppose it wa of any money value what
ever"
stIn that you are mistaken" said Mr..
Wilson. 'dThe island is quite valuable.
It has q fine grove upon it, and consid.
cradle timber, besides the land is a good
place for picnics, or for q summer resi-.
dence. In fact, / was thinking of build.
ing a house on it myself, if I succeeded
in buying it"
"You are certainly very frank in you
statement of its value" said Mr.. Arm
strong, stfor we know nothing of it at all
only from the description in a letter from
Mr.. Budget which came with the deco
whereby we knew its location. I vii
get the deed and letter and see how i
reads"
So saying he arose and took from hi
desk the papers. The letter was
queerfy-written thing, and, as Mr.. Arm
strong said, a very fair sample Of hi
wife's brothers letters. It WA writer
thus:
'STo Miss Armstrong:
Find Aurora
island Just
north Of C~antonviIle Mills
down on the coast. A
Minute description: If calm
you can approach it anywhere.
Mind the mud; it
only lies north. I
never go from
east because of rocks. The
yearly tides are strong, and many
inexperienced boatmen go
never to come back. If you
thus profit by my advice, for,
hear me, it is good, the beach
easily is reached and you
can pass
very pleasant day. Suburb
views are to be had, which q
European country can
scarcely be found to exceed.
EBENEzER BUDGET"
The deed was very strong, making
clearly understood that the island an
everything contained thereon was mad
over to Miss Nellie Armstrong, and ais
stating that the letter describing tn
property must be given if it was sold @
transferred.
Mr. Armstrong asked Wilson what b
thought the island was worth.
"I do not know, but would give
thousand dollars for it," said Wilson.
"That seems a pretty good price fc
what we have always considered a worth
less piece of property, I am free to cor
fess," said Mr.. Armstrong, looking q
Nellie.
Eyes, sir; I don't think the island ca
possibly be worth that" said she.