The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-02-03
Vancouver Independent.
OFFICIAL PAPER OF Cry AND COUNTY.
Vancouver. Clarke County, Washington
Territory.
How Uncle Dad Found It Out.


fitted to put the party in the best of spir-
its. It's Jolly thing to be put down as
sole legatee in rich mans villa jolly
thing not only for the fortunate individ
nal himself, but for his friends, also, if
they know how to play their cards prop
erly.
'By George, you re lucky dog, Dick!'
cried an enthusiastic youth across the ia
BILE. "Why haven't all of us got uncles
like Medad Whistler-nice old parties,
who go off about their business, gain for
tunes, and come back to leave them to
their nephews, instead of hanging round
home to scold and find fault, and cutting
you off in the end with their blessings
and lot of trumphery good advice?"
'The drawback is" sighed Richard
Gossett, that unc.es with fortunes to
leave. as class, are proverbially tough.
There's Uncle Dad Whistler, now he's
past sixty; but he looks good for every
day of ninety; and, as for toughness, old
Joe Bagstock was nothing to him."
"Still," replied the other, 'the pros
pect is far from discouraging. Your I'M
sumptous liver; so there is fair contin-
ScuCN VI upoplcAy W COuhe OA'
A round of applause and bumpers
greeted this speech.
''But you never told us, Gossett, how
your old nabob came to cut off his other
nephew. your cousin. Oliver Lambert,
whom everybody thought his prime
favorite, and leave everything to you"
"a family secret" said Dick, with
wise shake of the head
fa1
urged an inquisitive youth with a gos-
ling-down mustache; we're all friends
here"
but promised Uncle Dad never to
tell it, and if he heard I had leaked, it
would be worth my place in his will
''Pshaw It's as safe with us as with
yourself; you ought to know that"
"You'll never mention it, them"
Never they all answered in chorus.
Pom honor?"
Honor bright
Had Dick had less wine and more wit
aboard. he might have hesitated to I'M
part a family secret to half a-dozen boon
companions under the belief that 1t
would go no further. But he had ta-.en
just champagne enough to make him
confidential aud communicative.
his was Tue SeCItt us DlCh ulN uiSS,i II q.
Son divers last birthday, Unncle
Dad inclosed him check for hansome
sum. Afterward, when Uncle Dads
account was balaced at the bank and his
checks returned, it was discovered that
this particular one had been raised to
double the original amount, which in
creased sum Oliver had drawn; though
on being questioned, he protested lie
L. Ill &c 1<1.o
''But Uncle Dad was not man to be
easily deceived. 1t was plain that for
gerry had been committed and as the
check had been inclosed to Oliver di-
rectly and presented by himself, who
else could have committed the offence?
Uncle Dad was as prompt to act as to
decide. Oliver was given his choice be-
tween going to prison and leaving the
country, Uncle Dad engaging, if he
chose the latter course to furnish him
with the means of living till an oppor-
tunity offered of earning his own sup
port"
Which explains, no doubt" struck in
he of the callow mustache, "Mr. Lam
bert's late mysterious departure, and his
pervidious desertion of Selma Jasmyn,
to whom they say he was engaged
I<AdctlN. Sdlu LICK.
why don't you cut in again for the
lady yourself, now that the coast clear?"
suggested one.
Dick gave a knowing wink, which as
good as said:
'Do you take me for fool not to have
thought of that before?"
Just then a messenger entered and
placed note in Dicks hand. He glanced
at the contents and started up wildly.
Listen to this, boys" he exclaimed in
tone and manner which left his friends
in doubt whether it was good or bad
news their attention was invited to
Listen to this?" and then he read:
"A mans body has just been found
lying on the sidewalk and identified as
that of your Uncle Medad, to whose
house it has been taken. advise you to
into such fortune cannot look after his
interest too promptly"
Your sincere friend,
FRANK WHIPPLE"
Dick Gossett, without waiting to hear
the congratulations which poured in
from every side, snatched his hat and was
of.
The double pull he gave his uncle's
door-bell, was answered by the house
keeper.
''rrn-uncle 'Dadr' he painted, out OF
breath.
.'Ihey carried him up to his own
room, believe" snapped the house
keeper. curtly, with the air of one who