The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1883-11-08
M1sHR NEWTON oUTwITTED.
New Haven Conn Special to N. Y. Times.

New Haven Conn Special to N. Y. Times.
The little hamlet Of Ledyard Gen.
tire, in this State, has lost ne most
important factor in the death of John
Newton. The township embraced
many of bis broad acres, but from
them the hamlet itself derived little
bene fit, as John was a miser. The
first money that be ever earned was
for chopping wood 10 the pine
swamp. The amount was $50, aud
be Immediately put it 10 q bank,
where it has remained to the present
day, having increased to $1,000
10 shaving notes and lOaning money
John has accumulated fortune of
$4,000 His residence among the
rocky hills of Ledyard Centre was
simply a howell, which is on the verge
of stumbling down.
As careful miser as John was,
he was outwitted at last. Among
the visitors ct his fathers house
when be was q young man was q
spinster named Charity Norman
She was a country tailoress, and
went from house to house to replen>
ish the mems wsrdrObes for the win,
ter. Johns father was unlike his
son and loved jolly company and
good clothes, and frequently Charity
would be called upon to spruce up
his old garments and make new
ones according to the latest fashion.
One day "ColOuel Newton" as be
was called, died very suddenly
Charity lent a helping hand to John
Newton, the con, 10 bis bereavement.
She cooked the dinner, made the
butter, and proved such valuable
hoosekeeper in every respect that
John was 10th to part with her. He
finally persuaded her to become his
wife. However, before the wedding
day had arrived John suddenly
changed his mind, and tried to get
rid Of her. Charity had a big
brother, and to this brother she ap-
pealed for advice. He became in
diguant, and in an interview with
John threatened many pleasant
things, among them a breach of
promise suit, if be did not carry out
his former Intentions. The damage
done to his sisters heart he claimed
was $500 worth, John considered
the subject and finally concluded to
save the $500 by marrying her,
which be did.
A few days ago, when Johns life
was drawing to a close, be sent for a
Philadelphia relative to whom he in
tended to give bis property. The
relative came and began arranging
matters With him. His wife Charity
learned enough from their talk to
convince her that certain worthless
mortgages would be given her as her
share, while the relative received
the cash. She resolved to circum>
vent that little plan, and, going up
stairO, she discovered John Newton's
private savings bank under the
caves in the garrett. She found it
contained 5000 10 gold coin, $500 in
silver and $4,000 10 bonds and Sc
curities. She went quietly to law
yer in Norwich for advice. Return
ing home she continued her houses
hold duties and later visited the chest
in the attic, taking with her a big
dinner pot, and, raising the lid OF
the chest, she transferred the con
tents to her kettle and then returned
to the kitchen, placing the treasure
under the sink.
In the morning John Newton be-
came aware that he was dying, and,
wishing to settle matters, requested
that his wife go and get his chest
money. She refused, and 10 strong
terms upbrsided him for trying to
take away her lawful portion. The
lawyers present became wild, as did
the relative, but to all their entreat'
les she turned deaf esr. She would
not go for the money. AS last re-
sort John asked her how much she
would take to relinquisb all claims
to the property, and she promptly
replied $4,000 in cash. The pa
pers were drawn up and duly sigued,
whereupou Charity produced the
kettle and poured out the contents
before their astonished gaze. The
$4,000 was counted out and paid
her, and hardly had the will been
signed before John Newton breathed
bis last.