River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-09-19
A LAWYERS STORY.

marry the lady of my love.
One morning went down to my office,
which my boy had just opened, and found
awaiting me there a letter which gave me
the greatest pleasure. 1t announced. in
the first place, the death of my grand
uncle, who, with my grandfather, had
cruelty turned my mother out of doors
when she wss a GIRL and in the second
place it informed me that my grand
uncle, touched by my remorse, had left
me a legacy of five thousand dollars. The
writer Of the letter, Martin Drew, who
was my uncle, requested me to come to
TYndale at once and get my money, and
expressed much affection for me, and said
his family were all anxious to see me,
and other things which excited my sus-
picions.
That afternoon called at the Widow
Curtiss's to inform her daughter Laura of
my good fortune, and to ask the dear
girl to 'sname the day." Laura was quite
ready to comply with my wishes; but her
mother said we'd better wait until got
pack with my moneJ-predicting that
something would be sure to happen"
and asserting that the Drews were
mighty slippery fellows" and that no
Van Buren,, (my name) that she had ever
heard of, ever had any luck. Not finding
myself comfortable in the widows
parlor soon withdrew, and went slowly
back 20 my office.
Next morning mounted my horse, and
with light heart pursued the road that
led to Tyndale. | WAS two days upon
the way and slept the second night at a
country tavern, few miles distant from
the residence of my pseudo uncle. | had
intended to reach his house that evening,
but the neaviness of the roads prevented.
The next morning I was early astir, and
rode up to Martin Drew's,,door, just as he,
with his family, was seating himself at
the breakfast table.
| was welcomed with great show of
cordially by the various members of the
family, all of whom, save the eldest son,
George, were present. | might have be-
! lieved myself among warm friends had
not the memory of my mothers suffer
| ngs in that house saved me from an en-
! tire reliance upon the professions of these
demOnstrative relatives. Little by little,
nly reserve was melted before their kind
ly words and manners. The girls were
pretty and fascinating, the young n an,
Martin, frank and agreeable. / never
could resist genial manners, and before
the morning hours had waned l found
myself on decidedly pleasant terms with
the young people, and contessing to nv
self that / could see nothing objection
b lie in their elders.
| | had intended to transact my business
with all speed, and if possible to avoid
breaking bread beneath the roof; and by
all means to leave it before nighttall.
But on one pretext after another, and
| villingly, must confess, was detained
until long past midday. at last, howev-
| er, the business had been transacted, the
money in my hands, and my receipt in
| those of Martin Drew, and ] began to in
! sist on going, at least as far that evening
as the tavern where had passed the pre-
ceding night.
How they gathered round me then, with
smiling, entreating faces, and clinging
hands. No, they said, one and all, must
not go until George came home. He was
expected every hour, | must remain un.
til morning and see George; he would be
sadly disappointed else. And besides, it
was hardly safe to stop at that roadside
tavern with such sum of money, the
people there were prying and curious,
and had without doubt learned before
this that had come to receive my legacy.
OF course | stayed, and a pleasant eve
ming had with those merry young peo-
pie and cordial old ones.
The chamber assigned me was what in,
country parlance, is usually called the
''spare bedroom" large, pleasant room
/ hn
best parlor, and, with that apartment,
separated from the rest of the house by
wide entrance hall. Martin Drew and
his two sons (for George had returned), in
their excess of hospitality had entered
with me to assure themselves that all was
comfortable for me. and above all, as they
said, safe for my money.
There were ill-conditioned people in
the neighporhood, they said, and my bus
mess was well-known, so tina. though it
was hardly possible that any one should at
tempt to enter the house 10 steal my mon
ey, it was we'll to be careful. 'There was
hooks to hang my coat and waistcoat up
on, but | had not better leave the money
in their pockets, perhaps it would be SAT
er under my pillow, or had | not better
lock it 10 drawer of the bureaug'
This over anxiety seemed somewhat
annoying, but If there were suspicious
people IN the neighborhood, it was but
natural. Still it occurred to me that it
wC1lC ltas we'll to say nothing of thief
place where I extended to bestow my
money. When | was at last left alone, L
began to hasten my preparation for re-
pose. The two windows of the room
were closed and secured by heavy shut
tiers, but there was no lock on the door.
I placed a chair against it. then fin
ished disrobing myeelf, and having de-
cided to put my pocket-book between the
mattresses of my bed and beneath my
head, had Just placed it there when a
slight noise in the room caused me
to turn.
George Drew had entered so noiseless-
" that he had nearly reached my sic
unheard.
~ beg your pardon" he said, laughing
at my frightened face. II only came
back to inquire if you would like to be
wakened in the morning. You did not
hear my knock"
He was gone as soon as answered, and
again placing chair against the door, and
laying something upon il which thought
would fall with a noise if the chair were
disturbed | extinguished my light and
went to bed
1t seemed as if / had but closed my
eyes,though now know that l must have
slept two or three hours, when / was sud-
denly awakened by sound as of a door
softly and cautiously shut, yet slightly
creaking on reluctant hinges. l sprsng
up. In the intense stiffness, thought /
distinguished a faint tread in the adjoin-
ing room. thrust my hand beneath my
pillow, but though it touched my watch,
which [ had placed there, my pocket book
was gone. At the same instant / dis
tinguished another sound the opening O.
the outer door.
I sprang from my bed and shouted for
help. In the darkness could not at
first find the door. But in less than a
minute stood in the psrlor, family
lighted by the embsrs OF the expiring fire.
AT that instant the hall door closed, and
steps were heard upon the gravel outside
I shouted again, aud in moment Martin
Drew and his younger son hurried IN. and
before ms story was finished were joined
by George The hall door was ajar, as
the robber had lett il, but before we had
time to put on the necessary clothing, be