The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1855-02-23


~ ,sir, listen toyour better nature. Ex-
tj1a sour hand and solace the declining
q 81 ter.orn Old age, or atleast close the
qaihg eyes OF that poor old man. | ask
4etillng tor myself | am young and hope
RiE and shah soon be strong again; but l
&n unable to provide the comforts of life
ier my poor dying father
E'Thc banker stood silent for moment,
emotions were evidently struggling at his
lRart to which he had long been stran-
eslf, but evil habits mastered them, and
aHer, moment he appeared once more
s9rn, calm, impassiye.
sLet me hear no more of this he said
n you value your liberty. A man in my
Position is accustomed TO the tricks. Of i'm
ppstors and knows how to deal with them.
lam a magistrate young man, and if
sald the word, / could prevent your being
Of any aid to your fathcr-if indeed you
have one. Take this word of friendly
caution and begone. There is no occa-
shhof your returning tomorrow. / will
fPHa substitute for the lock you opened
withsuch suspicious dextelity.'
Frank essayed reply bu. bis organs Of
speech failed him. And this was his un-
cle-the father of that girl whose face had
haunted him like spell for the past month
HIS heart swclled within him as he left
hopeless, indignant and despairing, the
prlncely mansion of the banker.
lie made up his mind to say nothing of
adventure to his father, as he feared the
effect of the agitation he was sure it would
produce on his enieebled frame.
AS he was entering, with sad heart,
his own miserable lodging house, he en-
Masters, who was on the watch
for Kim. A glance showed that he had
been drinking deeply, and he tried to pass
hi;a with 4 brief word Of salutation, but be
found he was not to be shakenolf so easily.
1--WE been waiting for YOU said Mas
.ers. I've important business with you
i must see my father said Frank, per-
smptoTiIy.
NO hurry. The doctor has just gone
out, and says he is getting on well. l give
yop my word of honor, l speak the truth.
Come into my room
Frank followed Masters into his room.
Hgwas somewhat ARMED and alarmed and
when he saw lin lock the door
and put the key III his pocket. They sea-
ted themselves a. 4 table, on which stood
pipes anl tobacco, two lin cups aud quar-
Tern Of gin.
Here's to you; my boy' said the bur-
glar filing lie cups. What, you wont
drink? Then there's more for me. Your
healih.'
You shan't drink any more, Jack, cried
Frank. You've drank TOO much already.
You're killing yourself
Well--what OF it?' replied the other
Ifn on the high road TO fortune, and
eau do as L like
Say rather, on the high road to the gal
lows, replied Frank.
Come, Frsnk-now really, that's quite
ungentlemanIy-quite unworthy of you,
hiccuped Jack. For Iknow you're gen
teman--a real gentleman, by Georgel
and the heir to an immense foitune.'
What do you mean?' cried Frank.
4 know what l say, said Jack. 'I'm
all right, Faank Harland.'
Harlandl Then you know
Everything, my boy. NUNS the word
| love you, Frsnk--l'ye loved you up
ward OF six years, All, we used to have
good times at old TIiyet's. Well, well /!
there's no help forit, Maxand Ihave struck
hands lor life, and must be a lucky cove
till die in the gutter
Not SO, Jack, cried Frank, earnestly
The most inveterate inebriate m ~ reform.
Give up the bottle!'
The bottle is the first round of the lad
der to the gallows. l stand upon the see
ond,' said The burglar, gloomily.
What do you mean?' cried Frank, in
alarm.
DO you know this key?' said Jack, hold
ing up small brass key.
Know i'll | forgediJ myself. 1t is the
key ofChe bankers safe
'Ay, boy, the same
you stole it, liaa
Il did not steal it. Isaw it drop from
the bankers pocket, and picked it up in
the street. "a
Il am glad of it-I breathe freer. Then
you mean 10 restore IL, and claim the re-
wardY
Not such a fool as thasP It has secur-
ed lie one treasure; it shall unlock more.
'Ihe banker has missed the key ana sent
for meto pick the lock. He will watch
over his sale night and day till he has Sc
cured another lock- ai4
Then that lay is done with, said the
burglar. 'Frank, you're my friend,
know, ,o at.A
Your true friend, Jack, SO help me
Heaven!' f 'ef
'Tlen Tll'trust everything to YOU said
Masters, speaking eachmomenl with nlor(
difficulty, as the .iquorhe had drank oper
ated on his brain. Pm going to make
your fortune, and you must take care o
nine lie produced pocket-book anc
placed it in Franks hands. Take careo
thay, It's yours. Wake me up when you've
read the papers in It'll am sleepy-wakt
--me--up-pretty soon,' aud dropped hi:
head upon the table, he was soon buried
in deep drunken sleep. s1
Frank opened the pocket book and took
from il d folded document. IL was the
last will and testament oil James Harlandl
Of Harlsnd Manor. Meieestershire, reyok-