The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-02-01
Dicks Distant Relations.


Dicks Distant Relations.
Il suppose am eccentric said Dick
Clavering-'at least they tell me so;
at any rate there's story anent that
if you care to hear it,.
, Go ou-go on was the unanimous
vote.
Dick settled himself com mfortably-
that is to say, threw himself back in
his chair and one leg over the buck OF
another.
1T is queer thing to lo,' he began.
What wasp
The will he made,' said Dick; sbut
[ suppose he was eccentric. too.
You forget that you haven't yet in
troduced the gentleman one of US re-
minded.
well, can't say l knew him my
self, returned Dick, though | was his
distant relatiOn-hc>had none 6ut dis
tant relations, IN fact, OF whom was
the most distant. 1t was for that rea.
son, perhaps, OF maybe because, hav-
ing never seen me, he disliked me less
that the others, that he left me all his
wealth.
Dick had a way of beginning a story
in the middle and working it out both
ways, that wasn't likely to be bettered
by asking questions. So, without
further interruption, we allowed him
TO proceed on his own plan.
The cut off relations, you may be
sure he continued, looked upon my
good fortune with anything but equa-
nimity. They considered me sup
planter, spoiler, sort of testament
tary usurper, in short. who had rob-
bed them of their right.
'rhose nearest in blood tried to
break the will. The festator, they
said, wasn't In h s right mind when he
made it, and proofs were brought up
of many queer things he had said and
done. But the jury thought a man
could be queer without being crazy,
and so found a verdict establishing the
disputed document.
'Of course L was hated worse than
ever by my disappointed claimants
but their spite gave me small concern.
With light heart and plenty of mon
ev, man is apt TO be on good terms
with himself, and not to mind much
what other people think.
Il went to spend the summer in the
mountains. At an Old-fashioned |
country seat, half hotel and half farm
house, l found comfortable quarters |
and pleasant comprehension the |
latter couple of half fiedged doctors, |
in whom the pranks and vagaries into
exuberance of spirits often led me,
seemed to excite a lively interest.
They were constantly seeking to draw
me out. They seemed to think me |
amusing, to find entertainment in my |
freaks; and to crafty them. 1 was
ever ready with some new extrava.
gance.
'Onc evening they invited me to
take q ride with them to visit friend |
in the neighborhoed, brother chip |
they said, with whom they assured me
l would be delighted:
1T was long jaunt over a wild
mountain road, but we chatted the !
time away, aud at length, as the mig! |
began to fall, drew up b fore a lar,
stone building.
This is Doctor Crotchet's, said enc
Of my companions.
'As we alighted and ascended the.
steps, the doctor came to The door
He received us cordially, and the GER
emOhy of Introduction over, led the
way in. He was tall, lank man, with
a shrewd, cunning face, clo.hel with
one of those perpetual smiles which, i,
would be relief to see broken now
I'd then by frown.
SHOW Mr.. Clavering up Leech,'
said he to one of. my friends; syou
know the way, and l have n word or
two to say to brolhes Pellet here
'Leech took my arm, and at the end
of long hallway on the third floor,
led me into dimly Lighted room, l
thought it strange place to conduct a
guest to, but made no remark.
''Be seated said Leech-I shall re-
turn in moment
so saying he stepped out and clos
ed the door.
Though it was summer the night
air was keen in that mountain region
and morning ana evening fires were
customary. Feeling little chilly af-
ter our long ride attempted to draw
a chair which stood near the wall to-
ward heating apparatus at one end
of the room.
Judge of my surprise to find the
chair iInmovable. My curiosity was
excited. took survey of the apart
ment. The lamp by which it was
lighted hung from the ceiling out of
reach. The only article of furniture
were the stationary chair, a small iron
bed-stead and bedding-the former
fastened to the wall-and a wash. stand |
similarly secured. 1 examined the
window. 1t was narrow and guarded
outside by thick iron bars.
What could be the meaning of all |