The daily gazette., 1878-01-19
The. Defrauded Heir.
BY A DEFECTIVE.

Hf Di a DElECIlNE.
One January evening. eighteen wears
after / had left Doctor Lignon's, I re-
turned home US usual after the labors of
the day, ! found my wife seated by a
cheering IRE, and the tea-urn kissing on
the table on which too was placed the
tea service, and the toast racks fastened
TO the fender betokened that the evening
meal was waiting for me.
"Home at last, dear James," said my
wife, 81 haye been waiting for you for
"Yes, ! was engaged longer at the of
ed to-day. By-the-way, whom do you
think met on Broadway to-day 2"
81 don't know. Whom w
"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.
"lndeed," she replied; "did he speak
to you 2"
running for Congress. He solicited my
influence bns of course did not prom
ise IL to him.
at is very strange, but father never
liked that man. There was something in
his countenarice or in his manner which
was very repulsive to him."
"a great many people share his preju-
dices, my dear" Ireturned. "Amos Bar
ton Is by no means a general favorite. /
remember when was a pupiled at Doc
tor Lignon's used TO hate him.
"And yet ne one can tell why they dis.
ike him. They can bring no immoral
act against him. Did you hear anything
tangible proved against him 2"
"Never p
"Do you remember how strangely he
came In for his property? was but q
little girl then, still recollect the sensa,
ton 1t made. His brother and nephew
died within ten days of each other. II
was very curious"
VERY"
l suppose / uttered this word in a very
peculiar manner, for my wife put down
her cup which she was in the act of rails
ing to her month, 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 tc
tell me-"
"My dear, what secret should know p
81 don't know; but you are so different
from other men--you have such an extra
ordinary faculty for tracing matters oul
Il am certain yon know more about thai
affair than you pretend"
At that moment there was a ring at the
bell, and the servant girl entered almost
Immediately afterward and handed me
the following message:
"Come to me Immediately. / am dy
ing and have something of importance
to communicate TO you. DOCTOR LIG
NON, A., New York"
/ handed the despatch to my wife.
"Must you go ?" said she, with shade
Of disappointment in her voice.
81 must, indeed" / rejoiDed. ~ have
some idea as to the nature of the commu
nication he has 10 make, and leaving out
of consideration my duty as his former
pupil, l must go for other reasons"
kissing my wife good-by, l hurried of
IL was bitter cold in the streets, and tn,
snow was falling in large flakes. In spite
of the obstruction caused by the snow,
reached the depot in good time, and tax
ing seat in car near the stove, in few
minutes / was proceeding on my way tc
my destination. l was awakened abou
midnight by man and woman in thu
seat before me; the former had mention
ed the name of Mr.. Barton. / still pre-
tended to be asleep, but examined IN,
fellow-travellers with scrutinizinl
glance. / found they were common-look
ing people. evidently past the meridian
of life.
~ tell you," said the woman in ton,
of remonstrance, "you can't deceive hin
much longer. He'll find out that the bo,
ran away from us, and then good-by t
our allowance"
man in gruff voice, 'if you only keep
quiet tongue in your head? But you
always have such a confounded lot Il
say"
"Suppose you tell him his nephew il
dead ?o
"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, wha
would you do?" .4f
him, Look here, Mr.. Barton, if yol
don't send me the money you owe me to
222 East Broadway before three day.
have expired, then If you don't see th'
State Prison looming in the distance, In
Dutchman,"
"Well, hope we shall be successful
that's all. i have my doubts, how
ever"
After this they relapsed into silence
and did not speak any more until they
reached their destination. / made q few
notes OF this conversation in my pocke
book.
About two o'clock the next day reach
ed the end of my journey, and was at DIR
Lignon's house. l rnng the bell and wa!
at once shown up stairs. The moment
entered the doctors bedroom l starte,
back in horror. Familiar as had beeI
with scenes of suffering, had never me
with one equal to this. Eighteen year
had elapsed since 1 had seen DIR. Lignon
and he was now scarcely recognizable
He was dying from the effects of a can
Ger.
"I know my days are numbered" salt
the old doctor, after he had given me th
particulars of his case. "My disease i
utterly incurable. But, James, have
fearful confession to make to you, on