The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-23

could not be represented in Mr.. Ho-
mer's sketch is still embedded a bullet
fired from a tiintlock musket in the
hands OF an Indian, one hundred and
eighty years ago. The bullet was meant
for the stout heart of Mistress Nancy
Billop. who. with her two sons, was
defending the house against a raid of
the savages during the absence of her
husband on trading trip TO the coast.
For the house, as we'll as the trees.
stood there in 11l5, 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 un-
successfully trying to set the building
on fire: and the valiant little garri-
son was relieved betimes next morn
ing. l mention this episode merely 10
give you an idea what sort of stuff
these Bllops had in them. Be we DEM
ocratic as we may, We cannot help lik-
ing our friends the better foI descend
ing from stock like that.
Let us now make a skip of century
and half or SO, during which the
Billop generations succeeded one an
other In a steady. honora BILE. but some
what uneventful career of prosperity
raising crops, breeding cattle, sending
representative u lHt wars, WUtIl
there We're any, and voting for that
form of government which stands for
liberty, security, and minding your own
business.
The original Billop 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 hospitably
and bid them help themselves to any
thing they wanted in the way Of farms.
up to within a radius of mile from his
doorstep. The land within that radius
got to be known as Bllop's farm; and
1t contained the finest land-upland
pasture, forest and meadow-to be
found in the neighborhood. Early in
the century. about half of this farm
was sold to man by the name of Cor
win. We have business with some of
his posterity in the present narrative.
The house which Corvin built stood
halfway between the old Billop home
stead and the village of Fenbrook.
(Which had been in gradual course of
naturalization since before the revolu-
tionary war; Corvin was a lawyer
He brought money with him, and made
more. He was pushing, shrewd man.
and before his death had served a term
in the state Legislature. His son adopt
ed the profession of law also, but did
not make out so well with it. He
seemed to lack the gift of success.
Being. upon a time, in straits, he got a
considerable loan of money. Now, no
details as to this loan were known, but
II was the general impression that 1t
came from Matthew Billop. the then
head of the Rillop clan. with whom Cor
win was understood to be on rather
Intimate terms. What security did Cor
win give for it? What was there for
him to give, except a mortgage on his
land? 1t was not known what use he
made of the loan; but there were indi-
cations that he never paid interest on
It, and 1t was only a question Of time.
therefore, when 1t would be foreclosed.
For Matthew Billop was not the sort
of man to give up his just dues to any
body.
This Matthew is known in local his
tory as Mlser Billop. He was the last
male Of his race, and perhaps the
ablest Of any of them. For reasons
best known to himself, he never mar
ried. He had two sisters, one of whom.
Sally, married John Linton, and died
a year after, followed several years
later by her husband; the other, Nancy.
remained an old maid. and kept house
for Matthew. We shall have the pleas
ure of her nearer acquaintance short
". ! Will only observe here that she
was In love- in her salad days, with a
certain gOod-looking. easy-going young
fellow by the name of Brent. Brent.
being more good-looking than other
wise good. Tilted her, and married her
bosom friend, Mary Selwin. The pair
went to New Orleans, had a daughter,
and then both died OF yellow fever.
Nancy might have said "Serve 'em
right" but she did not, not being that