“Mr. Merritt,—Dear Sir,—I have had it some time in view to purchase property in your village, whenever a favorable opportunity should occur. I learn by the newspapers, that your real estate will soon be sold on execution, and it being the most desirable situation with which I am acquainted, I am anxious to buy it. As it will be out of my power to attend the sale, (if you have not made other arrangements,) please write me by return mail, what will be the sum of execution and costs, and if not more than the fair value of the property, I will advance the amount, and close the bargain at once. “Your obedient servant, “G—— S——.” The early and important services which he had rendered to the writer of this letter were dismissed from the memory of Mr. Merritt, with the ordinary events of the time at which they were conferred. The latter had, not long after, removed to another town, and they had not met since. The letter was a business-like document, as we have seen—containing no allusions to the past—breathing no professions of gratitude—proffering no gifts of charity; yet it exerted a happier influence in cheering the mechanic, than though every line had been teeming with protestations of pity and regard. It came like a messenger of life, and bade him hope. First, he read it silently—then aloud—then to his wife—then Emma and George participated in the joyous news; and the infant, receiving an unusual number of kisses, no doubt understood it too. An answer was forwarded by the ensuing mail, setting forth the circumstances of the case—the amount required to free the estate from incumbrance—and further, stating that this was five hundred dollars less than the assessed valuation of the property at the annual appraisement—that he considered it worth one thousand dollars more than that appraisement; but, in consequence of the forced sale, he expected to lose that much, or more; and therefore, as he was obliged to sell, would be glad to have him take the property and redeem the execution. After this was dispatched, their fears regained the ascendency. They had been, perhaps, too sanguine, the price might be considered too high—and all was anxiety, perplexity and dread, until the close of a week, when there came the following reply: “_G——, April 2, 183-._