The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-11-10

relations, and failing Lydia appearance
the public administrator stepped in anG
/ took possession. And then came reycla
ton that astounded everybody. Ephraim
Pennypacker had died without will, and
without anything to bcqueath, his effects
being barely sufficient to meet the claims
upon him, and leaving. when everything
vas settled the old banking house as Ly,
dia's property. She did not put in an ap
pearance for this, and so it stood closed and
awaiting her claim. 1t was not worth
enough to worry the lawyers much, and
was therefore unmolcsted There was
something very strange in this semi bank,
ruptcy of Enhraim Peunypacker, as BY the
evidence OF 4 most respectable firm OF law
yers they had drawn his will only three
years before his death, and he had then
bequeathed to found the before~ ~me ntioned
charity nearly quarter of million in
bonds, money and securities of various
kinds. This will had gone into his own
hands, but as his private cash book showed
during these three years immense sums
withdraw. from the bank, and the disposal
not accounted for, it was generally con
ceded that the old banker had been en-
gagged IN some secret observation-disclosures
unli ke him-had silently sunk his whole
capital, and in consequence Of this had de-
stroyed the will
Some Of the clerks found employment in
the city, but John announced to me his
intention Of going abroad He was sick of
Philadelphia and wanted a change, and
would take any engagement TO get away.
| was not surprised, therefore, when |
heard some weeks after, that he had gone
to Valparaiso as book keeper for an Ameri-
can house there, but | was surprised that
he did not bid me or write me goodbye.
As he sailed from New York, | could get
no definite information as to whether his
wife went with him, but took that point
for granted.
| shall take a fight now over three years
during which the only event connected
with my story was the reception from VAL
paralso of regularly executed set of doc
nnents put in by Mrs. John Barrett, once
Lydia Pennypaoker, claiming the old
house, and giving directions that it should
remain closed and untouched till her own
or her husbands return. This occurred
about six months after John 5 departure,
about the time required for them to arrive
at their destination; and it brings me to my
sixth incident, which relates to the Penny
packer house, but not to the house Of Pen
nypacker 4 Son.
One night-a bitter cold night it
was-there was an alarm Of fire. | was
returning from the theatre, a kind of dis
Slpati0n | now sometimes indulge in, for
| was no longer under a cruel discipline
| did as a young man is apt to do, and
took run with the engines. Off they
went to tie eastern part OF the city, and
brought up next door to the old house, at
a pork packers which was in full blaze.
Pork is a good thing to burn, and burn it
did, with such effect that | was surprised
the flames did not take the Pcnnypacker
house and one OF Two more with 1t. As it
was, the gable of the Old place was knock, d
Oft, the door burst open, the fireman took
fail range through the building, which did
not by any means Improve 1t.
The next day came the Insurance peo
pie and III lew days the work men to re-
pair, under the direction of the authorities
who held the property IN trust.
And now came Il most extraordinary
revelation. | got it long before it became
public, from young nIan whose acquaint>
ance | had made in the oth,e Of piihH0 al
ministrator.
The workmen, in pulling down the shat
tered parts, unearthed some suspicious
looking packages, and in a lew minutes
the whole Of Mr.. Ephriam' lost property
Bonds, stock, money aud securltlCs-lav in
the hands OF the master workman, who
fortunately was an honest man. EphraIm
had used as Il hiding place wooden pan
mel under the window, where stood a
heavy desk, ll a room to which he was
won't to retreat at tmcs from the Office and
lock himself up. he had been too sud-
denly hurried into eternity to reveal his
boarding place 10 any one.
OF course It was serious matter, and
as there was good picking for lawyers and
public functicnaries, Mr.. John Barrett and
wife were communicated with at Val
paraiso Immediately. The return mail
brought an answer expressing great joy at
the fUd;ng Of the property but regrcttiug
that the dangerous illness of Mrs. Barrett
would prevent her immediate return to
Philadelphia. As soon as her health per
mtted she would set out. Within
month came second letter from Barrett,
announcing the death of his wife, will
made by her ia his favor, and his inten-
ton of being in Philadelphia almost as
soon as this intelligence, with al legal doc,
uments to dispose Of the matter.
And sure enough, within two weeks |
heard of his arrival | called at his hotel,
sent up my card, and received the answer
that Mr. Barrett was too i'll to see anybody
My pride started at this. Could it BE- the
rich man cutting off his old acquaintances
| contentcd myself with sending up Sec
ond card with my address, in order that if
he wanted to see me he might be able to do
so, and then went away From my friend
in the pubic slfice heard that John Bar
ret had put in all bis proofs and complied
with all the legal forms, after which, hav-
ing taken possession of the property,
amounting in all to about three hundred
thousand dollars, he had left the city, in
what direction, nobody knew. He never
saw fit to call on me, and | did not meet
him.
Twelve years now pass over Us, and !
come to the seventh incident in my story
which more nearly concerns myself than
all the rest put together. You know
that whatever share OF this world 5 goods
| now possess | have won within the last
FIVE years in other words, five years ago
| vas poor, and Of cJuIse in no position to
fall in lave and marry and yer, absurd
as it is for q man OF thirty three to talk of
being ron!anIically in love, | was so for the
first time ia my life, and the object Of my