Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-06-09
TALES & SKETCH ES.
A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.

1t was in consequence of O letter received
from an old schoolmate, whose real name, as
proceed, the reader will perceive the neces-
sty of Disgusting, that laid aside my books
and papers in the midst of term, and made
hurried journey to distant town.
Henry st. Claire, as shall venture to call
the friend whose urgent summons had not
felt at liberty to disregard, had been among
the most cherished of my early associates |;
and though l had seen but little of him
since the dass of our boyhooG, and our cor
respondence, like most Others, had been ir-
regular, and had long since ended, l had,
nevertheless, from time to time, received
such intelligence of him as one naturally
gains in answer to inquiries made, as occa-
sion offers, in reference to the welfare of abb
sent friends. knew, for instance, that he
had married; that at the death of his father
in-law his wife had inherited large estate !;
that she had died not many years after,
leaving him wealthy widowel; that he
had subsequently contracted another mar
rage, and now the father of three children.
From the melancholy tone of his letter,
In which he besought my attendance both
as a friend and a lega. adviser, l naturally
concluded he was in declining health, and
desired my assistance in relation to the dis
position of his property.
On coming in the presence of my friend,
whom l had not seen for several years.
was startled, not to say shocked, ut his ap-
pearance. His age could not have exceeded
forty; but he seemed broken-down man.
His countenance was haggard and careworn;
his eyes sunken and restless whilst his gray
hairs and STOPPING form bore sadder i'm
press than that of years.
IT, Ia, Ill <oc 4
compliance with his request; and, at the
conclusion of our greetings, signifies his de-
sire to proceed at once to business. need
scarcely say l was prepared to receive in
structions for an equitable division of the
testator's fortune among his chil6ren-two
sons and a daughter, all of tender years
making, at the same time, suitable provi-
sion for his wife, Judge of my surprise,
therefore, when Mr.. st. Claire named as the
sole successors to his property two indivi-
duals unknown to me, and of whose con-
nection with himself was wholly ignorant.
"Mr. st. Claire" ventured to demonstrate
"you have wife and children"
II have" he replied, "but heaven preserve
them from the curse of wealth that does not
belong to them"
"But, my friend,"I persisted, 'there is
such thing as being over-scrupulous. ]
am aware that your large possession came
by your first wife, but the property was hers
to do with as she would. She became the
sole heiress of her father when his three
sons were -"
"Hold |" he cried, in tone which would
have startled me had not, at tho moment,
been looking in his face, ffom the express
sion of which j perceived there was some
mystery to be disclosed.
"St. Claire" said l, approaching and lay
ing hand on his shoulder, 1--WE were once
companions and friends. AS friend, as
we'll as lawyer, you have sent for me-
There is some mystery of which am sure
it was your purpose to dis5urthen your
mind. Whatever may be the secret,
rest assured it will be safe with me but
can never become the instrument OF beggar-
ing your innocent wife and children for rea-
sons of the sufficiency of which am not
clearly convinced.
"There is a mystery" said he, "a fearful
mystery-and, when it is disclosed, neither
you nor any man can call me friend but it
will not be long that shall have occasion
for friendship. First hear my reasons, and
then decide upon their validity"
resumed my chair, and placing himself
in position partly to conceal his face, he
proceeded H...-..
sit is upwards of ten years, as you know
since married my first wife, the daughter
of Mr.. Benson, the wealthy barrister. She
you are aware, was the child OF q former
marriage; and the immense fortune of my
father-in-law belonged to him-or rather t(
his three sons--in right of his second wife
| who was dead at the time of my marriage
81 had not the most distant hope tha
this immense fortune would ever reach me
for, though knew that, in the event Of thu
death of my wife's half-brothers withou
issue, the estate would be entirely at he
fathers disposal, what reasonable grount
of expectation was there that three health,
boys would die, and thus make way TO
Agnesl had not married for money ant
the thought of succeeding to the wealth
which afterward became mine had never, a
tina. time, entered my mind. hl4
~ will tell you the first time the though
rdawned upon me. There was an epidemi
raging In the neighborhood, and nay fathei
IN. laws three sous were STACKED by II .
the same time. One evening when my WI
received message that II wss doubtful