The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-12-07
CHAPTER Ill.


mind fashioned in the academic mould.
Miss Won Week kept him posted on mat.
ters at home during these years, and as the
doctor had told her how to direct affairs, she
always sent kind word from Minnie, tell
ing him that she felt a great restraint in not
being allowed 70 correspond with him. But
it was now within few months Of the time
when George would return to his village
home, Minnie, who would return about
the same time, had spent all her vacations
at home, and her return would not be such
o novelty to her as would that of bis,
3. One afternoon when "Old Self" was wend-
ing his way slowly home, he stopped at the
post-ollice expecting to get letter from
Minnie as he usuallydid almost every week.
Instead of realizing his expectations, how
ever, the postmaster handed him one adj
dressed to her. Its postmark was Cam
bridge, Mass. The old man put on his
spectacles, cut open the envelope with his
knife, and carefully read the short note it
contained and then with q mingled ex-
preston of irony and triumph, he placed
the letter in his pocket, and murmured to
himself: i d..
"Ah, ah this dagger shall meyer reach
the poor little heart for which it was whit
tied. I will see to that. But there will
come change some day, and then we shall
see."
About Eve weeks after the not, apparent
ly important fact Of Jacob DeCosta receiving
the letter addressed to his daughter from
George Spencer, the mining village was
drapped in morning. .,...
f. While on his way to Cambridge, on visit
to his son, where he intended to remain un-
til after the college commencement, Dr..
Spencer, by collision and wrecking of one
of the Neptune Line of sound steamers Off
Point Judith, ended his life in a watery
grave. Perhaps reader, you will say he de-
served better fate; and the same might be
said of over two hundred others who went
down with him in the fearful night disaster
carrying griet to many q stricken home.
Such is the ineyitabe-such is the end of
man, and it is as well in one way as another
at one time as another, for all we know.
1t took but few days to make another
singular revelation in connection with the
doctors death. 1t was announced in the
village by Lawyer Dobson, the doctors old
confidential legal adviser and attorney-the
doctor had died intestate-had neglected to
sign will. Mr.. Dobson had written will
two years before, and exhibited it among his
papers; but from time to time DR.. Spencer
had neglected to sign it, Singular that a
man of his business foresight and prompt
ness should have neglected so important
matter, but such was the fact.
The estate, after being settled up; would
be worth between two and three millions.
"And every dollar of it," said the old
lawyer, with a scowl, "wil fall into the
hands of that hard listed, beartlcss brother
OF his, Thomas j. Spencer, of Cambridge;
for the doctor has also neglected to legally
adopt his foster son, George, who will be cut
off without a shilling"
This matter had been grated through the
village, and aroused q sympathy for the
young man, even among those who disliked
him in his boyhood. Lawyer Dobson wrote
George confidential letter, apprising him
of this fact, but added that, when his uncle
comnieuced legal proceedings he should
meet him with suit at law, and. Rndeavor
to procure some. portion of his fathers estate
for him as compromise.
A few days hence brought Thos. ]. spen-
Ger to the village to look after his brothers
estate, and in an interview with Mr.. Dobson,
who told him the whole truth of tho situa-
sion. Lawyer Dobson said
But, this unsigned will of your brothers
shows his intentions; it equally divides his
estate between his son, yourself and certaip
specified charitable, humane and religious
iustitutions. I think it would be but justice
in you, and your brothers memory, fyou
could consent to a settlement Of the estate
upon that basis. If you refuse, it is my in
tention to take every possible provision of
the law to secure settlement of at least
portion of the estate upon the young man.
am not quite sure that the fact of the christ
eningswil not haye some weight" .... ..
The paper Of, which you speak," said
Mr.. Spencer with a sarcastic laugh" is no
will at ali. You wrote it, and there is -no
evidence that my brother eyer saw it or had
any knowledge of its existence. You may
be sure, sir, that am not a man TO be diet
ated to. As for the young man, shall not
see him go hungry. But my brother has
done well by him. He has given him a
good education, and he is fully able to earn
his own living. You see he is, in no way,
my brothers SON." ,.,
At this point, the door was Eofiy opened
and what had never happened before, old
Jacob De Costa walked into Lawyer Dobson's
Office. Under his right arm he carried a
large, old fashioned, square, sheet iron or
black tin hand-trunk. When Jacob saw
that he had intrudel upon an interview, he
drew back and ih his monosylibc way said:
" waHt to speak to you, Squire, but I'll
call soon."
] /" oh, no." said lhe old lawyer, "walk
into my private Office, Mr.. DeCosta l will
be there in a minute" and excusng himself,
he left Mr.. Spencer to await bis return, while
he went into his private Office with Jacob
DeCosta, and closed the door behind them.
They were closeted for nearly an hourwheu
they returned To the reception room, and
Jacob, having left the hand-trunk behind,
departed without word.
A peculiar twinkle in lawyer Dobson's
eye showed that he was in a different form
of mind now than when he left Thomas
Spencer, an hour before, Resuming his seat,
he said
Well, Mr.. Spencer suppose you are not
prepared to say that you are willing to act
5 upon this unsigned will of your brothers p
Do you mean to insult my Judgment
sir" said Mr., Spencer, nervously rising to
his feet. " would like to ask what inter