American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-03-06

J put two and two together as well as mos
, people"
Better"
"Well, better than some, perhaps
Now, look here, my boy You'll have
marriage in this house before man,
weeks are over"
| started.
"What do you means" l said
Then this great observer simpl,
nodded his head, and gave utterance to
monosyllable-
| "Twig?"
looked in the direction indicated. \
number of people were gathered rount
the piano, at which lady was seated
evidently about to sing; and gentle
man was bending above her affection
ately, and preparing to turn over the
music. The lady was Aunt Jane, and
the gentleman was Uncle Joe.
OF the performance which followed
| will say nothing. l am a charitable man
The idea of a marriage between Aun,
Jane and Uncle Joe did not give me un
alloyed pleasure. l spoke to my wife
about it. She treated the announcement
with contempt.
"At their age" she said, lit would be
too ridiculous" Nevertheless that night
| Emily said to me:
| Couldn't we persuade Uncle Joe to
| take lodgings somewhere-at least while
my aunt is here? His habits are so un
civilized and Aunt Jane is such n sensi
tive creature, you know"
l failed to perceive that Aunt Jane s
| sensitive nature was shocked and could
not see my way clear to turn my uncle
out of the house; but my mind was
| troubled.
| l was in the office one morning when !
was surprised by visit from our family
| solicitor, Mr.. SAWYER.
| You have person calling himself
Joseph Courcy residing with you at pres
ent?" he said.
"Yes, of course-Uncle Joe."
| Hum. Are you sure he is the person
| he represents himself to be:"
"Why, of course / am He is my uncle
He told me so himself"
| Indeed! Then allow me to inform
| you have strong reasons to believe that
| this man is an impOstor."
"Gracious powers! you don't say so.
How"
"In the first place this is much
younger man than your uncle would be
and in the second place l happen to know
that your uncle has been dead for ten
years"
Dear me, And for these reasons
you think this man cannot be my uncle"
For these reasons l think this man
cannot be your uncle"
l reflected seriously for some minutes
| and l could not but admit that the law
yer's conclusion was just.
| Nevertheless" / said, al must still
| regard him as an uncle-as more than an
uncle. Alas! how few real uncles de-
| serve the name"
The lawyer looked puzzled.
| Know" said l, "that he whom you
| so cruelty stigmatize as an impostor has
| conferred upon me the greatest of bene-
| fits. He has promised to make me heir
| to all his wealth.
The lawyer laughed.
$50 he has been humbugging you too,
has he? 1 don't believe the fellow has
five pounds in the world"
81 am sure he has," I said. "He has
won more than that of me at cards"
But l began to feel uncomfortable.
But this is not the worst. l fear he
has designs upon your aunt, Miss Lilli-
crap"
"Har'
Then the lawyer told me all. Miss
Lillicrap, accompanied by Uncle Joe,
had called upon him the previous day,
and informed him that she wished him to
sell out certain shares which she pos
sessed. She intended to invest the
money in some Australian mining COM
pany, which was paying large dividends,
mended by her friend, Mr.. Joseph
COurcy.
The lawyer was naturally curious to
know something of Mr.. Joseph Courcy,
and was rather surprised to learn that he
was then in that gentleman's presence,
and that he was my uncle. Further, he
was informed that Miss Lillicrap was to
become Mrs. Courcy very shortly; but
that for the present it was to be secret
To 1od do IL t,,,N coll Nicc
Lillicrap that her business would take
some time to transact, and that she had
better call upon him in couple of days.
I" i expect" he said, that they will be
in my office at two O'Clock Tomorrow"
And now" said Mr.. Sawyer, L will
tell you shortly what l know of the
matter. Your uncle, Joseph Courcy,
went to Melbourne twenty years ago.
He had been bankrupt and l was left
trustee of the estate. The cause of his
bankruptcy was fast living and bad soci-
ETY.. He was accompanied to Melbourne
by one Thomas Bryne, a person with
whom he had been for some time init
mate, and who was one of those who
helped him to his ruin. This Bryne, it
was afterward discovered, had been
guilty of "a forgery, for which crime he
is still liable. Your uncle died in Mel
bourne ten years ago; and it is this fell
low Brync VINO now perSOnateS MN.
From inquiries / have made l believe
he is almost without money, and his OBJ
ject evidently is to gain possession of
your aunt's property, either by marriage
or otherwise"
1.-The internal, mercenary ScOundrel!'
exclaimed. but we will balk him."
Eyes, think we will. Call at my Of
fee little before two O'Clock to-mor-
row, and we will arrange what is best to
be DONE"
Fear not--I will be there Good
day, my very dear sir-good day
Next day l was at Mr.. Sawyer's office
shortly before two o'clock. His expected
visitors had not arrived, but they came
presently. They both seemed somewhat
disconnected on seeing me, and sat for
some minutes without speaking. Miss
Lillicrap was the first to break the
silence.
"Of course, Mr.. Sawyer" she said,
you will understand that we wish this
to be a private meeting"
"Oh, certainly. Only your nephew,
Mr.. Courcy, is here by my invitation, as
l thought you might want his assist
ance."
We neither require nor desire it."
said Miss Lillicrap, rising.
"By no means" said Uncle Joe, stand
ing up, and looking dignified.
Before we proceed to business, then"
said the lawyer, may ask you, Miss
Lillicrap, if you are aware of the char
acter of the person sitting beside your"
Halo, sir, Do you use this language
to me?" said Uncle Joe, clustering.
l do not understand you," faltcred
Miss Lillicrap.