The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-13
Copyright, 1855. by Irving Bachsllse.
CHAPTER I.

Copyright, fse5. by Irving Bachellse
CHAPTERI
on the wall opposite. as sst At my
study table. hangs q small picture framed
In white. Though but sketch in water
color IL shows the handling % master.
and II the observer DO a connoisseurs De
win recognize the touch % Ninslow Ho-
mer. The subject Is T. New England farm
house among the hills. time, sunset OF ala
October day.
The house. a. you see. occupies the sum-
init OF an activity. It's broad hip-roof.
It's blunt gables and its massive chimney
stand out against the sky. The orange
light from the west Eliminates the vener-
able front ard giows on its deep-set WIN
6owE. Two trees Of unknown age and vast
size stand on either side Of the heavily
framed doorway That on the right Is 3
butternut. the other is an elm: and IN the
apparently still solid trunk Of the former
Gas happen 20 know, though u could not
be represented in Mr. Homer's sketch IL
still embedded a bullet fired from flint
lock musket in the hands OF an Indian 80
years ago. The bullet was meant for the
stout heart Of Mistress Nancy Billop. who.
with her two sons, was defending the
house against raid Of the savages during
the absence OF her husband on trading
trip 10 the coast. For the house, as we'll
a. the trees stood there I'm lis, looking.
probably. not very different from what
they do now. You may be glad to know
that the Indians were beaten Off. after
three OF them had been shot dead while
unsuccessfulIy trying to set the building
on fire; and the valiant little garrison vas
relieved betfmes next morning. i mention
this episode merely 10 give you an idea OF
what sort Of stuff these Bulops had in
them. BE we democratic as we may, We
cannot help liking our friends the better
4Sr fro att Ia hal
Let Us now make a skip OF a century
and a half or so during whien the itillops
generations succeeded one another III a
steady, honorable, bat somewhat uneVent-
full career OF prosperity: raising crops.
breeding cattle. sending a representative
20 the wars. when there were airy, and
voting for that form OF government which
stands for liberty. security and minding
your own business.
The original Biiop was a pioneer In that
region. and owned everything In sight
from his windows. when, in course OF
time. other settlers came along. he had
treated them Hospitality. and bid them
help themselves to anything they wanted
In the way OF farms. up TO within a radius
OF a mile from his door step. The land
within that radius got TO DC known "a Bill
lop's farm and II contained the finest land
upland pasture, forest and meadow
20 be found in the neighborhoOd. Early
In the century, about half OF this farm
was sold 20 a man by the nam of Cor
win. We have business with some OF his
posterity in tho present narrative.
The house which Corvin built stood half
way between the old Blllop homestead and
the village Of Feubrook. (Which had been
in gradual course Of naturalization since
before the Revolutionary war;. Corvin
was n lawyer lie brought money with
him. and made more. He was push
ing. shrewd man. and before his death
had served term IN the state legislature
His son adopted the profession Of law
also. but did not make out so well with it.
lie seemed 90 lack tho gift OF SUCCESS.
Being. upon time In straits. he got "A
considerable loan az money Now no
details as 10 this loan were known. but it
was the general impression that IL came
from Matthew Billion. the then head of
the B,ilop clan, with whom Corvln was
understood To DO on rather intimate terms.
What security did Corvin give for it,
What was there for him 30 give. except
a mortgage on his land? II was not
known what use he made or the loan. but
there were Indications that he never paid
interest on H. and % was only a question
OF time. therefore, when IL would be fore
closed For Matthew Billop was not the
sort Of man 20 give up his just dues 10
anybody.
This Matthew is known IN local history
his race, and perhaps tho ATTEST Of any
OF them. For reasons hest known 10 him
self. he never married. lie had two sis
tiers. one OF whom. Sally, married John
Linton. and died a year later. followed
several years later by her husband. the
other. Nancy. remained an old maid and
kept house for Matthew. We shall have
the pleasure Of her nearer acquaintance
shortly I viii only observe here that she
was IN love. IN her salad days. with a
certain good-lookine. easy going young
fellow hy the name Of Brent Brent. be-
ing moro gcod-l0oking than otherwise
good lifted her and married her bosom
friend. Mary Selwin. The pair went 20
New orleans. had a daughter. and then
both died Of yellow fever Nancy might
have said. served en- riEht"' but she did
rot. NOT being that sort ~ woman Eut
she had the little girl brought up North.
aud took care - her. and made hcr a
daughter Of her own. Betrayed Nv both
her lover and her friend, she loved their
ltle Nellie all the more tenderly Tor their
sakcs
This transaction took place about Is-o
Now, Sally. before hcr death. had pre-
scented her husband with q son. Thomas.
ana this Thomas heca me an orphan AZ ale
most fhe date Of thc New orleans tragedy.
Thomas was e'ehf or nine wears Nellie s
senior. 70 VII not surprise any one 20
learn that Nancy adopted him also. hrirg
her own NEPHEW and destitute. she could
hardly 10 less. THUS although am old
maid. ARC WAS provided. At tge aEe OF (Tav'
I've and thirty. WITH q soa ANA daughter
whom she cherished ara luJufrrd as onlv
an cid wa3 mother can iut Pow did
Miscr Matthew Ike t1eSc rroecrG .ues@
Why. nobody Knows far Niser Matthee.
had died fbe YEAR before the rvorecd8urs
took place when I saw that he 8lad.
however. ! speak hastily. I should have