The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-02-05


fairs Of the orphans was entrusted TO two
guardians, who had been. friends Of their
late father, one Of whom was Thomas Du-
vait, Esq. gentleman liSiBe'iB the neigh
bOrhood, and The other, Mr.. Berrill, Of Lon,
don, then a solicitor. year or two, after
this arrangement had been in operation, q
great improvement became manifest IN the
position of Mr.. Berril. In place OF the
somewhat humble chambers he mad hither.
to occupied, he took handsome set of CH-
ces IN the best quarter Of Lincoln's Inn, and /,
for residence, horse in the vicinity OF
, Hyde Purk. which he had handsomely fur
nished. He pushed his practice with great
u pssidnlig. become web known htla bustlinq.
energetic, and bhrewd man of business; aud
appeared as one who had cautiously worked
his way upwards; had prepared himself to
assume good position; had placed himself
therein; directly his circumstances were
ripe Tor it, and was in a fair way OF running
busy and pros porous career. He gained
, Recognition as promising practitioner,
moved in good society, married we'll; and.
/ by nddSy, with a lady like wife ard hand
, some daughter, seemed to present very
excellent example ofwordly prosperity and
felicity consequent upon the exercise Of in.
dustry and prudence. .....
Meanwhile, a warm intimacy bad sprung
| up betwixt Mr.. Duvait and the eldest of his
, wards, Miss Barratt, which appeared likely
to terminate in marriage; and thnt gentle.
man found reason for anxiety and complaint
I in The manner in which he was treated by
his o-trustee, Mr.. Berrill, who seemed de-
termined to tuke apon himself the whole
management, Of the property Of the young
ladies. il the documents relating thereto
had been placed in the custody OF the latter;
and he had been entrusted with the coll
ton Of rents and the legal management OF
+ their affairs, in consequence of the udvunta-
!. gcs offered by his profession and position
, For q time, all went we'll; the rents were
/ duly forwarded to Mr.. Duvalt, and concise
returns made to him Of the state Of the pro.
G perty, &c; and th4t gentleman administer
G ed the receipts for the young ladies' in the
manner most agreeable to them, and to bis
own comprehension OF Iris office Of guardian.
i By and by, however, he received an intima-
i ton from Mr.. Berrill that that gentleman
b had found a remarkably favorable opportu
e nifty for investing sum of money for the
o Young ladies, aud intended SO to do. MIR.
/. Puvalt replied, desiring to know the natur,
.ea of the investment, and trusting Mr.. Berril
,. would not take any steps in the matter with
out consulting him. To this 40 answer wa
/ returned; and Mr.. Duvalt was much surpris
l, ed to fnd that, a. the ensuing quarter, Mr.
W Berriil, instead Of remitting to him as for
v merly, came down himself to D., pal,
h the money he had received at once into tb,
h hands of the Misses Barratt, and atterward
calling upon him, told him TINT the tone o.
|. his (Duvalt't) letter had given him (Mr. Ber
" sillD much offence; that he was consisntt
moving in the most busy circles Of the me
!. tropolis, and knew well bow to invest none
II in the most advantageous manner; and tha
le he could not endure anything like dictatior
,e especially from one who had never m:ngle
b. in the world, and whose experience of busi
<, ness was Of very limited nature. Saspi
pr cions arose IN the RiRG Of Duvnlt that al
- was not right, especially when he heard Q
ID Berill's sudden prosperity, lie cautiousl
set an inquiry on foot, and at lenglh discov
+. cred his co.trustee was a double dealer Of tn
Is most subtle and accomplished character, an
Pr that he was trafiicing with the property @
OF his words. He instantly wrote to him, init
,e mating that he knew all, demanded scru
is ttny of the affairs Of the estate, and threat
re ened in case this were refused, to procee
th by law aud compel concession. To this Nj
Berrill made no reply; but in a few doys b
Is came down to D., for The ostensible pul
ps pose of experimenting the furnishing of
4. house there, which in the course of his bus
i'll ness, had come into bis possession. A
IN soon as the house was 10 order, he gave o
on entertainment, one evening, to several {
III the gentry Of the neighborhood, and invite
II, among the rest, Davalt, and the Misses Ba
ratt. Duvalt called upoq him on the naorl
is ing of this day, but what passed betwi'
n. them is not known; for Duvalt was new
seen afterwards! The evening was one
on great epjoywest to the guests assembled
it Mr.. Berrill was the heartiest, blithest, an
tt, most convivial of hosts. Several times
,s, Inquired Of the Misses Barratt whether the
nd had seen Duyalt, appearing surprised ar
lc- vexed at lis absence. In the midst of Il
re- festivity Of the evening, Duvalt's house kee
on er. came to enquire after her master, wi
ne had not been at home oil day, and receiv,
at from Mr.. Berrill q message TO deliyerto b
wo master as soon as she should see bins th
in. he (Mr. Berrill) was "very much hurt at n
IN. puvalt's absence, and thought be was n
M treating him in a. friendly way.''a4As 4
nat days passed by, and the missing man W
ere not found, much excitement ensued ia h
er, neighborhood; but no one appeared 80 anna
,er ed and grieyed as Mr., Befrill He had I,
ra- or three interviews with tie magistrate
len and issued bills, with his city address 3