The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-03-23
Select Storp.
THE DEFRAUDED HEIR.

I'LL D1I IhAUU1D d6lhs
One January evening, eighteen year!
after | had left Doctor Lignon's, returned
home as usual after the labors Of the day
found my wife seated by cheering fire
and the tea-urn Kissing on the table, or
which too was placed the tea service, and
the toast racks fastened to the fender be-
tokened that the evening meal was wait
ing for me.
"Home at last, dear James," said my
wife. 81 have been waiting tea for you
some time"
"Yes, was engaged longer at the Office
Of the Chief of Police than L expected to.
day. By-the-by, whom do you think
met on Broadway to-day ?"
81 don't know. Whom ?"
''No other than Amos Barton"
should have said that my wife came
from the village where Doctor Lignon
lived, and was well acquainted with all the
parties mentioned in this history.
"Indeed, she replied, "did he speak to
yOu?"
80, yes; it appears he intends running
for Congress. He solicited my influence;
but, of course, did not promise it to
him"
at is very strange, but father never
liked that man. There was something in
his countenance or his manner which was
very repulsive to him."
"a great many people share his preju-
dices, my dear" l returned "Amos Bar.
ton is by no means a general favorite.
remember when l was a pupil at Doctor
Lignon's l used to hate him."
"And yet no one can tell why they dis
like him. They can bring no immoral
act against him. Did you ever hear any
thing tangible proved against him 2"
"Never."
''Do you remember how strangely he
came in for his property? l was but q
little girl then, still l recollect distinctly
the sensation it made. His brother and
nephew died within ten days of each other.
1t was very curious"
every"
suppose l uttered this word in a very
peculiar manner, for my wife put down
her cup which she was in the act of rais-
ing to her mouth, and glanced curiously
at me.
"What do you mean by that "very ~
said my wife. "Now, James, know by
your manner that you have secret to tell
me-"
"My dear, what secret should l know?''
81 don't know; but you are so different
from other men-you have such an extra
ordinary faculty for tracing matters out
| am certain you know more about that
affair than you pretend"
At that moment there was q ring at the
bell, and the servant girl entered almost
directly afterward and handed me the fol
lowing message:
"Come to me Immediately | am dying,
have something of importance to communi-
cate to you. DR.. Lignon, -, New York. y
handed the despatch tJ my wife.
"Must you go2" said she, with shade
of disappointment in her voice.
81 must, indeed" / rejoined. II have
some idea as to the nature of the commu-
nication he has to make, and leaving out
of consideration my duty as his former
pupil, l must 20 for other reasons"
Kissing my wife goodbye, l hurried off.
1t was bitter cold in the streets, and the
snow was falling in large fakes. In spite
of the obstruction caused by the snow, l
reached the depot in good time, and tax
ing seat in a car near the stove, in few
minutes was proceeding on my way to
my destination. l was awakened about
midnight by a man and a woman in the
seat before me; the former had mentioned
the name of Mr. Barton. / still pretend
ed to be asleep, but examined my fellow
travellers with a scrutinizing glance. |
found they were communicating people,
evidently past the meridian of life.
~ tell you" said the woman, in tone
of remonstrance, "you can't deceive him
much longer He'll find out that the boy
ran away from us, then goodbye to our
allowance"
"How can he find it out" returned the
man, in a gruff voice, eff you only keep a
quiet tongue in your head? But you al
ways have such confounded lot to say"
Suppose you tell him his nephew is
dead ?"
"Bah, that would be of no use. He's
such stingy beggar, he'd stop the sup
plies at once"
"Now, Ralph, suppose he should be de-
termined not to give you any more, what
would you do ?"
What would l do? would say to
him, "Look here, Mr.. Barton, if you don I
send me the money you owe me to 222
East Broadway before three days have ex-
pired, then if you don't see the State prison
looming in the distance, I'm Dutchman. "
"Well, l hope we shall be successful,
that's all. have my doubts, however"
After this they relapsed into silence,
and did not speak any more until they
reached their destination. 1 made a few
notes of this conversation in my pocket
book.
About two o'clock the next day reach
ed the end of my journey, and was at DR..
Lignons house. | rung the bell and |
was at once shown up stairs. The mo-
ment | entered the doctors bedroom l
started back in horror. Familiar as had
been with scenes of suffering, l had never
met with one 'equal to this. Eighteen
years had elapsed since l had seen DR..
Lignon, and he was now scarcely recog-
nizable. He was dying from the effects
of cancer.
81 know my days are numbered said
the old doctor, after he had given me the
particulars of his case. my disease is
utterly ineurable. But, James, l have a
fearful confession to make to you, one
which l fear will drag me down to perdi-
ton, unless l atone for it by endeavoring
to make restitution. o, James, how can
summon up resolution enough to tell you
what guilty wretch l am ?"
perhaps | already know something of
the matter of which YOU would speak"