So must all, who have fallen within the fangs of these unprincipled men quietly wait, until they see what may be slow, yet sure, retributive justice. And yet, I should conceive it to be abruptness to close these remarks, without placing them in a somewhat antithetical shape. We have had a glance at the dark, and now let us look at the bright side. There are those among us now, and those that have gone to their glorious reward, whose names and memories " will be had in everlasting remembrance." Whose bounties have wiped the tear from many an orphan cheek, and made the widow and the fatherless sing for joy, the couch of the dying laborer, soft and easy, by promising to be kind to his helpless family, giving large sums for the purpose of propagating christian truth, and for disseminating useful knowledge among the indigent, and also of extending the hand of material friendship to those who were needy.
The memory of these men draw the tear of affection, while for the others, scorn and contempt. But to return to my narrative. I was married a few weeks after my discharge from the Macedonian, and then intended to spend the remainder of my days on shore. I became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as I had now come to an anchor, made up my mind to go ahead with honesty, prudence, and economy. I became acquainted with many of the brethern, and was really happy. As I had about $2,000 which I had carefully saved, it appeared to me that it would be well invested, in the purchase of a small house. I soon heard of one, a short distance out of the city, and on examining it with my wife, concluded to purchase it.
It belonged to a prominent member of our church. On my return from it one day, before I had consummated the bargain, I met another prominent member, and to whom I communicated my intended purchase. "Ah \" said he, " my dear brother, he careful how you deal with. He will twist you if you dont look sharp! " "What!" said I, " will he cheat me?" " I don't say that he will cheat you, I only say lookout for him." I parted with my adviser and went home, " struck all aback/' told my wife what I had heard, who was as much astonished as I was. As I never had much experience in buying houses, up to that time, concluded that there must be something more intricate in the sale of a house than I knew anything about, so I let this purchase slide.
I could not understand this inferred libel on the Christian character of the seller, notwithstanding it prevented me from purchasing the house. But in justice to this individual, before I proceed any farther, would say that I was subsequently acquainted with him during thirty years of his life; and can further add that he lived exemplary, and continued so until his death. Was a highly respected and prominent member of the Methodist church. As I had now given up the idea of buying a house, thought I would get a lot just out of the town, and build one to suit myself. I soon found a lot which could be bought at a fair price, but there was something of an ordeal to go through before I could have it.
The land belonged to a miserly old fellow, into whose good graces a very popular neighbor had entwined himself It was for this neighbor to say who should and who should not come into the community, so I found it indispensably necessary to get on the right side of this " vigilance committee," before I could do anything with the old miser. After two or three interviews, he found out who I was, and I was then unanimously received. My lot was surveyed off and the deed drawn. When I went to say to the old gentleman that I would call to-morrow morning and pay the money, he, in a tremulous voice asked, "if the money would be in silver, or gold f I replied he could have it in either, when he preferred gold.
Accordingly on the morrow, 1 carried the money to him in gold. He had a table prepared to count it (twentyfive eagles,) upon, and when his long, bony fingers clutched the pieces, it reminded me of a cat, when she first nabs a mouse, looking round to see if any attempts are made to get it away. This old man was nearly eighty years old, and the sight of this paltry sum was truly electrifying. He died while I resided in the neighborhood, and on the evening before he expired, the doctor told him he might suck a piece of tender loin rarely broiled. He told the man who attended him to go to the butcher and ascertain how much he asked a pound for tender loin, and to come back and let him know.