Year: 1859

wanted, opened il. The first thing he saw was
the identical pocket-book whose loss had excited
50 many regrets. He recollected having placed
It there the morning before he reached Brent's
Prairie, but in the confusion Of the moment the
circumstance was forgotten. He examined it,
and found everything as he left it.


The discovery nearly restored him to health,
but he resolved ct present to conine the secret to
his bosom. II was gratifying to him to witness
the entire confidence they reposed in the honor
and integrity Of stranger, and the pleasure with
which they bestowed favors upon one whom they
supposed could make no returns but thanks.
Night came, and Mr.. Davis did not return.
Lucy passed sleepless night In the morning
she watched hour after hour for his coming, and
when sunset approached he was still absent; ter.
ried at his long and unusual stay, she was setting
out to procure neighbor to 60 in search Of him,
when her parent hove in sight. She ran to meet
him, and was bestowing upon him thousand
endearing expressions Of affection, when his
haggard, wO-begone countenance startled her.
He uttered not word, and went into his house,
and seated himself in silence. 1t was in vain that
she attempted to cheer him. After long pause,
during which there was powerful struggle going
on in his feelings, he arose and took his daughter
by the hand and led her into the room where
Wilson was seated "You must know ALL" he
said, 81 am ruined; / am q beggaF. In few
days must quit this house; the farm which
have so highly improved and thought my own."
He proceeded to state that-a few days before,
Crosby, in fit Of ungovernabls malice, taunted
him with being beggar, and told him that he
was now under his power, and he would crush
him under his feet. When Mr. Davis smiled at
what he regarded as only an impotcnt threat.
Crosby, to convince hin, told him that the patent
of his farm was forged one. and that be. Crosby.
knew the real owner Of the land; had written 10
purchase it. and expected q deed in a few days
Davis Immediately went homo for his patent, and
during his long absence had visited the and-otfice
Crosby was right. The patent. bcyond ali dis
pute, was forged one, and the claim Of Davis to
the farm was not worth farthing.


II may be proper to observe that counterfeiting
soldiers patents was regular business in some
Of the eastern cities, and hundreds have been
duped.


at is not for myself' said the old man, " that
grieve at this misfortune. l am advanced in
lie, and il matters not where pass the remain.
der Of nv existence. / have a little home be-
yond the stars, where your mother has gone before
me, and where would have loved to protect her
child, nv own affectionate Lucy"


The weeping girl threw her arms around the
neck Of her father, and poured her tears upon his
bosom. awe can be happy still, /" said she, "for
I am young, and can easily support US both"


A new scene followed in which another indvid-
ual was the principal actor. shall leave the
reader to form his own opinion Of It, and barely
remark that at the close the old man took the hand
Of Lucy and young Wilson, and then joining them,
said; any children, cheerfuliy consent 10 YOUR
union. Though poor, with good conscience
you can be happy. know, Charles, you will be
kind to my daughter for few nights ago. when
YOU thought that no human ear could hear YOU.


heard you fervently implOre the blessings Of hea.
ven upon my grey hairs, and that God would
reward my child for all her kindness to you.n


Taking down his family Bible, the venerable
old man added, ait is season Of afiiction. but
We are not lorsaken. Let US look for support to
Him who has promised to sustain US" He then
opened the book and read:


Although the fig tree shall not blossom, nei-
ther shall the fruit be in the vines; the labors Of
the olive shall fall, and the fields yield no meat
the flocks shall be cut of from the fold, and there
shall be no herd in the stall, yet will Ijoy in the
God Of my salvation"


Charles and Lucy kneIt beside the venerable
old man, and while he prayed they wept tears Of
grateful emotion.


II was q slcepless but not unhappy night to the
three inhabitants Of the neat, cheerful dwelling
they were about to leave, and 20 they knew not
where.


1t was then that young Wilson learned the real
value Of money. By means Of il he could give
shelter to those who had kindly received him when
every other door was closed upon him
All night long he had thought Of the forged
patent. There were 4 Few words dropped by
Mr.. Davis which be could not dismiss from bis
mind; that Crosby had written to the real owner
Of the land, and had DOW obtained the promise
Of the deed.
It is now time for the reader to become fully
acquainted with the history Of the young
stranger. ~
His father, Charles Wilson, senior, was mer-
chant in Boston, who had acquired an immense