The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1875-03-20

have run out into the form of an essay of
some length, and of fur too valuable a Ia.
turc to be inserted in mere casual sketch
like the present. They are therefore
omitted. H..r. ...
Uncle Joe and Aunt Jane became great
friends, and the change that this compan-
ionship wrought in the old lady surprised
me. Hitherto had found her TO be of a
very staid and sober disposition, with q
tondncss for tea and gossip, but with Il
horror Of all lighter and more frivolous
amuscmcnts. Now she would accompany
Uncle Joe to theatres and concerts, and
she encouraged him to give parties ut
which music, cards and whiskcy and wa
terwcrc leading features. And in the two
latter departments Uncle Joe distinguished
himself. :.... - -
81 say, Courcy," said my friend FIath-
cdc. during one of these gatherings, "that
uncle OF yours is regular old sharper.
He has just swindlcd me out of thirty
sllllliDgs ut the three card trick"
looked grave u. this announcement.
"And look here, COurcy, my boy, think
you know me-" = -.
/ said rather thought did.
MY name is Flathedc, and I'm n man
| Of the world"
"NObody more So"
81 fancy know what's what, and can
pnt two md two together Us well a5 most
people," ..
"Bcttcr."
"Well, better than some, perhaps. Now,
look here, my 10y. You'll have mar
riage in this house before many weeks
are over" -.
/ started.
"What do you meant" I said.
Then this great observer simply nodded
his head, and gave utterancc to mono
syllable ..'. E..
"Twigm ...
looked i'll the direction Indicated a
number of people were gathered round
the pinno, Mt which Indy was seated,
evidently about to sing; aud gentleman
was bending over her affectiOnately, and
preparing to turn over the music. The
lady was Aunt Jane, and the gentleman
was Uncle Joe. . ..... '....... ..
OF the performance that followed I will
say nothing. am charitable man. The
idea of n marriage between Aunt Jane and
Uncle Joe did not give me unalloyed
pleasure. spoke to my wife about it.
She treated the announcement with con-
tempt. -.
"At their age" she said, at would he
too ridiculous" Nevertheless that night
Emily said to me: .
Couldn't we persuade Uncle Joe to
take lodgings somcwhcrc-at least, while
Aunt Jane is herel His habits arc SO I'M
civilized, and Aunt Jane is such n snnsi-
tive creature, you know"
failed to perceive that Aunt james
sensitive nature was shocked, and could
not see my way clear TO turn my uncle
out Of the house, but my mind was trou-
blcd. d.
Twas in the Office one morning, when
was surprised by n visit from our family
solicitor, Mr.. Sawyer.
"Iou have u person calling himself
Joseph Courcy residing with you at pres
entl" he said.
"Ges, of cOurse-Uncle joe"
"lum! Arc you sure lie is the person
hc represents himself to bc7"
"Why, Of course | am. lie is my un-
Gle. He told me so himself"
"1ndccdl Then allow me to inform
you have strong reasons to believe that
this man is an impostor."
"Gracious t.owcrsl you don't say so.
Howl"
~
man than your uncle would he; and, in
the second place, happen to know that
your uncle has been dead for ten years"
"Dcar me! And for these reasons you
think this mnn cannot be my uncle"
reflected seriously for some minutes
and conld not but admit that the law
ycr's conclusion was just. ....
Nevertheless" l said, ~ must still re-
gard him as Rn uncle-as more than an
uncle. Alas how few real unclcs so we'll
deserve the namc."
The lawyer looked puzzled.
"Know," said, "that he whom you so
cruelty stigmatizc rs MI impostOr has con-
fcrrcd upon inc the greatest nj benefits.
lie has promised to make mo heir to all
his wealth."
The lawyer laughed. ...
'SO, ho has been lumbugging you too,
has hcl l don't believe the fellow has
five pounds in tho world"
II am sure he has," said. "IIc has
won moro thnn that Of me at cards"
But began to feel uncomfortable.
"llut this Is not the worst. fear ho
has designs on your aunt, Miss Lillicrap."
"IInW
Then the lawyer had told inc all. Miss
Liilicrap, accompanied by Uncle Joe, had
called upon him tho previous day, and in.
formed him that she wished to sell out
certain shares which sho possessed. She
intended TO invest the money in some
Australian mining company, which was
paying large dividends, and which had
been strongly recommended by her friend,
Joseph C0urcy.
The lawyer was naturally curious to
know something Of Joseph Courcy, aud
was rather surprised 10 learn that lic was
hen in that EcntlemRn's presence, and
That he was my uncle. Further, nc was
informed that Miss r,illicrnp was to he.
como Mrs. Courcy very shortly; bat that,
for the present, II wns TO he n rsg:rNt. ITo
had made no remark, bit told Miss LillI-
crap that her business would take some
time TO transact, and that shc had better
call upon him in couple of days.
III expect" he said, "that they will be
In my office ut 9 o'clock tomorrow.
"And now,' said Mr. Sawyer, "l will
tell you shortly what know Of the mat.
ter. Your uncle, Joseph Courcy, went
out to Melbourne twenty years. ago. lie
had been bankrupt, and was left trus.
&c Of the estate. The cause of his bank.
tuptcy was fast living and bad society
1lc was accompanied to Melbourne by
-