gging a well; I employed Joe
Smith to assist me. After digging about twenty feet below the
surface of the earth, we discovered a singular-looking stone,
which excited my curiosity. I brought it to the top of the
well, and as we were examining it, Joseph laid it in the
crown of his hat, and then put his face into the top of his
hat. It has been said by Smith, that he got the stone from
God, but this is false.

"The next morning Joe came to me, and wished to obtain the
stone, alleging that he could see in it; but I told him I did
not wish to part with it, on account of its being a
curiosity, but would lend it. After obtaining the stone, he
began to publish abroad what wonders he could discover by
looking in it, and made so much disturbance among the
credulous part of the community, that I ordered the stone to
be returned to me again. He had it in his possession about
two years. I believe, some time in 1825, Hiram Smith (Joe's
brother) came to me, and wished to borrow the same stone,
alleging that they wanted to accomplish some business of
importance, which 'could not very well be done without the
aid of the stone.' I told him it was of no particular worth
to me, but I merely wished to keep it as a curiosity, and if
he would pledge me his word and honour that I should have it
when called for, he Might have it; which he did, and took the
stone. I thought I could rely on his word at this time, as he
had made a profession of religion; but in this I was
disappointed, for he disregarded both his word and honour.

"In the fall of 1826, a friend called upon me, and wished to
see that stone about which so much had been said; and I told
him, if he would go with me to Smith's (a distance of about
half a mile), he might see it. To my surprise, however, on
asking Smith for the stone, he said, 'You cannot have it.' I
told him it belonged to me; repeated to him the promise he
had made me at the time of obtaining the stone; upon which he
faced me with a malignant look, and said, '_I don't care who
the devil it belongs to; you shall not have it_.'

"Col. NAHUM HOWARD."

CHAPTER XXXIX.

I must pass over many details interesting in themselves, but too long to
insert in this work. It must suffice to say, that after a time Joe Smith
stated that he ha