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BATTLE CREEK BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
But before reaching Asa's improvements, in attempting to cross a marsh, his pony sank under him into the mire. He dismounted, and tried his best to get the animal out of the mire. He could not. ' In sheer despair he left his beast where it was, and started on foot for Langley's house. Coining in sight of it, he gave the alarm of distress, and Asa came to his relief. After a long struggle they got the pony out of the mire on dry land. But now came the hardest part of Rustin's duty. How could he sue Asa after he had been so kind in helping him out of difficulty? But he thought of his duty as an officer, and nerving himself up to the task, served the summons on his friend Langley. The latter was taken all aback by it. He became indignant, and told Rustin, in plain English, that unless he withdrew the summons, that he, Asa Langley, would sue him for helping him to get his pony out the mire! Rustin was in a quandary. What should he do ? Asa was firm and defiant! Finally, after some little parley, the two parties came to a compromise. Rustin withdrew the summons, and they agreed to call it square. And thus the trouble ended. Rustin mounted his pony and rode around the marsh home. Thus ended the first attempt at a lawsuit in Battle Creek.
There was sometimes great want of clothing among the early settlers in Calhoun county. The clothing brought in from the east was after awhile all worn out. And where could they get more? There were no stores nearer than Ann Arbor or Detroit. Besides, where was the money to come from, if it were possible to make a three or four weeks' pilgrimage to Detroit ? Aran-thus Thomas, son of Daniel Thomas, had worn his pantaloons till they were so ragged he was ashamed to go to a neighbor's.
Michigan
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