St. Landry democrat., 1879-02-01
HAPPILY RUINED,
A Doctors Clever Strafageni.

A Doctors Clever Strafagem.
Arthur Morton sat in his room in his
hotel. He was young man, six and
twenty, tall and slim frame, with face
of great intellectual beauty, dressed in
costly garments, though his toilet was
but indiferently performed.
He was an orphan, and for some time
had lived at a hotel, It required but a
single glance into his pale features to tell
that he was an invalid. He sat with his
head resting upon his hands, and his
whole frame would every snd anon trem-
bic as though with some powerful
emotion.
AS the youth sat 'thus his door was
opened gand an elderly gentleman
entered
All, Doctor, you are moving early
this morning." said Morton, as he lazily
rose from his seat and extended his
hand.
"Oh, not early for me, Arthur" re-
turned Weston, with a bright smile.
II am an early bird"
"Well, have you caught worm this
timer"
II hope it will prove valuable one."
81 don't know" sighed the youth.
II fear thousand worms will inhabit
this poor body ere long"
Nonsense, you're worth half GEN.
fury yet" cried the Doctor, giving him
gentle slap on the shoulders. "But
just tell me, Arthur; how is it with
Crosby?"
"Just as l told you. All is gone"
81 don't understand it, Arthur"
Neither do T." said the young man
sorrowfully. That Matthew Crosby
could have done that thing, would not,
could not have believed. Why, had an
angel appeared to me two weeks ago, and
told me that Crosby was shaky, I would
not have paid moments attention to
it. But only think, when smy father
died, he selected for my guardian his
best friend, and such I even now believe
Matthew Crosby was, and in his hands
he placed his wealth, and for him to keep
nntil was of age. And when I did
arrive at that period of life, I left my
money where it was; had no use for it.
Several times within three or four years
has Crosby asked me to take my money
and invest it, but would not. I babe
him keep it and use it, if he wished. I
only asked that when I wanted money he
would honor my demand. T felt more
safe, in fact, than should have felt had
my money been in bank ON deposit"
"How much had he when he left"
He should have had hundred thou
sand pounds"
"What do you mean to do?"
"Ah, you have me on the hinSthere.'
And yet you must do sonaething,
my son. Heaven knows I wouad keep
you If could. I shall claim the priv
iiege Of paying your debts, however"
mo, no Doctor none of that"
"But tell you I shall. l shall paw
your debts, but beyond that I can not
help you to assist yourself. What do
you say to going to seat"
A faint smile swept over the youths
pale features at this remark.
~ should make smart hand at yea.
Doctor. I can hardly keep my legs on
shore. No, no. must"
"Must what, Arthnr?"
"Alas, know not. L shall die-that
il all u"
Nonsense, Arthur. I say, go to sea
You couldn't 60 into shop and you
would not ii you could. You do not
wish to remain here amid the scenes of
your happier days. Think of it: at sea
you would be free from all sneers of the
heantless, and free from all contact with
things you loath. Think of it,"
Arthur started to his feet and paced
the floor for some minutes. When he
stopped new lite seemed already at
work within him.
"If1 went to zee, what could I do?"