The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-07-20
make him distinguished; but, between
rum and opium, he lost his reason.n
teTs ha alwavs On iucanah1op pss sf.ssff


rum and opium, he lost his reason. - 2
els he always SO incapable?" H
i "Oh, no; a little coffee will make him
quite man again for while.
The gentleman walked away and /
went to my office in deep thought; but
having no callers, l walked over to
Squire Buckrum's Office. He was in,
and received me benignly.
"a sad thing, this sudden death,'' 1
said. ,..
"Very, indeed! 1t seems as only
yesterday when he sat in the very chair
where you are now sitting, and read
over his will to me; and left it in nv
care" 5s l.s' t$5A
"You made his willp'' echoed.
Certainly!n and the Squire stared
in surprise.
elbow do you know there is not an
other of later date?''
'How do know?" repeated the old
gentleman, testify. Because, early in
his sickness he told me he had not made
another; and I have the document safe
in my desk here, and shall produce it at
the proper time"
| Now / had no idea of making my
debut in the profession as the upholder
OF fraud. So related the particulars
of my visit to the Brewer residence.
After my story, he went to his desk, and
took will from a secret drawer.
SIS the handwriting of the signature
to the document which you drew up Just
the same as that?''
examined it moment.
6 1t resembles it'
Squire Buckrum went with me to my
office, and we compared the two papers
together. There was great similarity
between the two signatures, but there
were obvious differences.
+ It's. perplexing business" said
Squire Buckrum. stTell me your story
again" / did so.
''It's my opinion there's a big fraud;
but can't see through it all.'
81 think I have clew," said, hesi-
tatingly.
"WhatP''
ga conjecture. may be wrong; but
I'll test it, sis.se
"Do SO. It will be a feather in your
cap if you succeed, Mr.. Halidash.' -
| was sitting in my Office after tea,
| when some unusual merriment attract
ed me to the window.
"Just the thing" exclaimed, when
/ recognized the queer gestures and
shaggy beard of the man who was the
center of laughing group of boys. [
called the waiter.
"Tom,'' said, tscoax, if you can,
King Solomon up here, with the prom
Use of some coffee and oysters. | have
a fancy for amusing myself with him.
In half an hour afterward had the
fellow chattering away, under the po-
tent influence of the coffee. Ordinarily,
not only his mental faculties, but his
powers of speech were partially para
lyzed, so that he spoke in singular
tone. -
AS the nervous excitement became
greater, what was my astonishment to
hear him go over in that strange, au-
tomaton-like way, the very words which
| had written the day before at Judge
Brower's. ,a.e
Isoon after dismissed him. The en-
tire scheme was plain to me, and / saw
my way clear.
| developed my plan to the old Squire,
and we agreed upon a plan of opera
tions. #
During the day received note from
Mrs. Brewer, requesting me to attend
the meeting of the relatives, when the
will was to be read. Squire Buckrum
and myself were busy in making our
arrangements until the hour appointed,
when we both went to the Brewer resi-
dence. - ~
There were but few relatives present.
and the large parlor was not half full.
Agnes Brewer was there, her mourn
ing dress setting off the fairness of her
sweet face. Mrs. Brewer was stately
and beautiful in her widows Grape.
Her brother leaned upon the corner of
the mantelpiece like grim Caryatid.
The grave son sat at respectful dis
tance, admitted, presume, by special
favor.
AS the waiting silence grew deeper
and deeper, a man glided through the
hall, past the door, No one saw him
save myself At length Mrs. Brewer
gave me sign. took no notice of it,
but Squire PucFrrm. rising with much
parade, drew the will from his pocket,
and, clearing his throat, began to read.
esquire Buckrum!''
Mrs: Brewer had risen and fastened
to interpose, but only those two words
were uttered when her brothers. hand
was laid heavily upon her shoulder, and
she sank into her seat while the Squire
proceeded.
As the Squire pronounced the last
words, and wound off the concluding
paragraph with a flourish, Mrs. Brow
er's large, black eyes grew bright.
esquire Buckrum, she said in her
q x<aaA 4 L.